EDMUNDS.COM 2004 LAND ROVER FREELANDER
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
With less capability than true dirt runners and less of a prestige factor than BMW''s X3, it''s hard to make much of a case for the Freelander.
Pros
Excellent on-road handling for an SUV, permanent all-wheel drive, still capable off-road.
Cons
Tight on cargo space even with rear seats folded, V6 engine on the weak side, though ergonomically improved the interior still lacks a modern look, no side airbags.
What''s New for 2004
For 2004, the Freelander''s exterior has been revamped with a redesigned front bumper and grille; also added are new clear lens headlamps similar to those on the Range Rover. Front and rear bumpers are now body-colored, and in back, the taillamps assume a higher position. In the cabin, the Freelander gets a revised dash, along with new instrumentation, switchgear, door trim panels and front seats. The sport-ute''s list of standard equipment grows to include roof rails, tinted windows and an in-dash six-disc CD changer, while the number of available four-door trims shrinks from three to two: SE and HSE. The Freelander''s five-speed automatic transmission has also been recalibrated for smoother shifting.
Overview
Introduction:
Land Rover launched the Freelander in the U.S. in 2002, six years after the mini-ute debuted in Europe to critical acclaim. Initially available only as a four-door with an automatic transmission, the Freelander has been consistently reworked since its introduction; this year, more changes have been made. On the outside, the Freelander gets a redesigned front bumper and grille, body-colored front and rear bumpers and new taillamps. Land Rover''s latest also gets brighter more stylish headlamps similar to those bestowed on the Range Rover in its 2003 overhaul. Inside its cabin, the dash, instruments, switchgear, door trim panels and front seats have been revised. Roof rails, tinted windows and an in-dash six-disc CD changer are now standard equipment. Although the car-based Freelander is primarily intended for pavement duty, it has a fair amount of technology to keep it shiny side up during off-road jaunts. Permanent all-wheel drive is standard, driven through a five-speed Steptronic automanual transmission sourced from BMW. How is permanent all-wheel drive different from permanent four-wheel drive? No low-range gearing for slow, steady progress on the steepest terrain. Instead, the Freelander has traction control that''s active up to 31 mph, limiting slip across both axles. A viscous coupling unit automatically applies and distributes power as required, limiting slip between front and rear axles. Land Rover freely admits that the Freelander won''t go places a Discovery or Range Rover can, but claims it leads the segment in off-road ability. We think Jeep and Nissan would beg to differ. Hill Descent Control operates in first and reverse gears. It''s set to target a descent speed of 5.6 mph (4.4 mph on rough surfaces). Unibody construction and a four-wheel independent MacPherson strut suspension won''t impress hard-core off-roaders, but Land Rover has dialed in 7 inches of wheel travel in front and 8 inches in back. Deciding whether the Freelander lives up to its premium billing is really a matter of priorities. If you''re looking for nothing more than a high-riding station wagon for the family, one that will swallow all the kiddies and their piles of multicolored entertainment paraphernalia, the Freelander will not suit your needs well. As a pure off-road machine, this Land Rover can certainly hold its own, probably better than most, but with its limited ground clearance and lack of true slow-speed gearing, it''s hard to consider it the best of the breed in this category, either. For those whose requirements fall into neither of the preceding categories, the Freelander may suit you just fine. It handles better than most, both on the road and off, has permanent all-wheel drive for hassle-free traction at all times and enough creature comforts to successfully battle the competition. Whether you''re willing to pay a few thousand dollars extra to get the name on the hood and khaki-clothed salespeople is up to you. We don''t think it''s worth the added cost, especially when viewed from the driver seat. In the long run, the Freelander''s robust construction might count for something, but as far as we''re concerned, we''d take an Escape or Liberty and pocket the difference. By the same token, those willing to spend more to get a premium-brand small SUV will find that BMW''s new X3 far surpasses the Freelander in terms of performance, creature comforts and overall refinement.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Freelander comes in two body styles: a two-door version with a detachable roof called the SE3, and a four-door version available in SE and HSE trim. Major standard equipment on the SE and SE3 models includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, air conditioning, a CD changer, steering wheel-mounted stereo controls, cruise control, power windows, mirrors and locks, and keyless entry. Additionally, the SE comes with leather upholstery, while the youth-oriented SE3 gets a durable vinyl upholstery (leather is optional) and a 240-watt Harman Kardon sound system. The high-line HSE comes with full leather, the upgraded sound system and a power sunroof. Heated seats are optional on all Freelanders.
Powertrains and Performance:
A dual-overhead cam all-aluminum 2.5-liter V6 engine is the only power plant available. It makes 174 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, and is connected to a five-speed automatic transmission with sport and automanual shift modes. Maximum tow rating is 2,500 pounds, a bit low for this class of vehicle. Fuel economy is not very good for a small car-based SUV, as Freelanders get just 17 mpg in city driving and 21 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Safety in the Freelander is addressed by four-wheel antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and standard all-wheel drive. Hill Descent Control helps prevent uncontrolled slides on off-road trails. Unlike other vehicles in the price point, the Land Rover lacks stability control, or side or head-curtain airbags. The Freelander earned an "Acceptable" rating (the second highest on a scale of four) from the IIHS in the 40-mph frontal offset crash test. In side-impact testing of small SUVs also conducted by the IIHS, this Land Rover received a "Poor" rating (the lowest).
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
The Freelander''s historically drab, downmarket interior gets much-needed ergonomic improvements for 2004; the switchgear and cupholder placement have been revised, and new front seats are designed to offer more comfort and support. The Freelander offers 19.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seat in use and a meager 46.6 cubes with it folded. That''s substantially less than most players in this market, so if you regularly carry even a few large items, or several smaller ones, be sure to look at the competition.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The stout suspension that does so well in the rough stuff also manages to provide a tightly controlled ride on the street. There''s more body roll in corners than we would like, but compared to the Jeep Liberty and Nissan Xterra, both of which are poor-handling vehicles on the street, the Freelander remains stable and controllable. The steering provides more feedback than most competitors'' setups, as well, although some might find the weighting a bit too heavy for day-to-day driving. With limited ground clearance and no low-range gearing, the Freelander isn''t as capable off-road as other Land Rovers, or the Liberty or Xterra, but it can handle moderate trails with little difficulty.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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