Ten years after its launch, the Freelander has grown in stature, power and refinement - much like the Land Rover brand itself.
The Freelander 2 is as far from a cosmetic update as you can get, but rather a top-to-bottom redesign accompanied by a nuts-and-bolts refit. On the road, it looks and feels like a new machine - and is miles ahead of the early production models that were dogged by electrical glitches.
Along with a thorough mechanical upgrading, the 2007 Freelander receives an eye-catching external redesign. With its cheese-grater grille, clamshell bonnet and chiselled lines, the test vehicle gels more stylistically with its Land Rover stablemates - the sharp new Discovery and Range Rover models. It looks and drives a lot more like one of those purposeful 4x4s than the dated-looking bathtub-on-wheels Freelander Mark One.
On the inside, the Freelander is a paragon of luxury. The power-operated leather front seats offer good under-thigh and back support and the front seat frames are similar in size to the Range Rover's. Land Rover's upright driving position is as commanding as it is comfortable atop the imposing 18-inch alloys. The Freelander feels spacious up front at least. Legroom for the driver is impressive but the Mitsubishi Outlander has more stretch in the back.
The new 2 comes with a six-speaker audio system, power-folding door mirrors, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and adaptive bi-Xenon self-cleaning headlamps as well as an electronic sunroof, adjustable leather steering wheel and cruise control. Apart from the faux-wood veneer panel strapped across the dash that's probably more suited to a Macau casino, the cabin's plush.
The Freelander received a full five-star Euro NCAP rating for adult protection, a rare achievement for its class. It was awarded a four-star rating for child protection, but only received one star for pedestrian protection - possibly due to its high bonnet. With eight airbags (including one to bolster the driver's knees) there's a full contingent of on- and off-road safety features, from hill descent control to roll stability control, electronic traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, anti-lock braking system, corner brake control and emergency brake assist.
