KEEPING pace with a fast moving market is no easy task, but Land Rover has managed admirably with its revised Range Rover and Discovery models.
Sharing a common theme in their appearance, they have regained the lead in their respective classes, despite the ferocity of the opposition.
The third vehicle in Land Rover's mainstream line up is the Freelander, which is credited with transforming the company's image and fortunes in the first place.
Respected as stylish and tough, it set new standards of on-road behaviour among traditionally unwieldy 4x4s.
Today it is still regarded as one of the best in its class, alongside the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and BMW's new X3 and is much sought after on the second-hand market.
Available in a choice of softback, hardback and estate car body styles, there are half a dozen different trim and equipment levels, plus a choice of manual and automatic options, making it ideally suited to virtually any potential purchaser.
Its mid-term facelift even included a couple of new engines, so in addition to the two-litre and 2.5-litre V6 petrol units there is a two-litre diesel engine, courtesy of BMW.
It is mated to a five-speed semi-automatic gearbox, which, together with a raft of other mechanical modifications, conspire to make the latest Freelander significantly better than it was.
The greatest single achievement is in the sheer refinement of its daily operation, with everything gelling together in a more cohesive manner.
The vehicle feels more sophisticated, which will appeal primarily to those who use it mainly on tarmac, whilst losing none of its renowned off-road ability in the process.
The four-cylinder diesel engine is just about as sophisticated as such things get, with common rail injection, a twin camshaft cylinder head, and four valves per cylinder. It works well in conjunction with the Steptronic transmission, which is basically a fully-automatic with manual over-ride.
This operates just like any other Steptronic, in which the lever is nudged forwards and backwards to change up and down, or it can simply be left in the drive mode.
It is a system that enables the driver to make the most of the engine's torque, giving a 0-60mph acceleration time of just 13 seconds, a top speed of 102 mph, and economy in the region of 35mpg.
It is an absolute peach to drive, and whilst not cheap by any standards, it holds its value well.
With a real-life transaction price of well under £20,000, the five-door Freelander estate is not prohibitively expensive in its class.
Nissan does a diesel version of its Terrano, but in automatic form the cheapest is £25,400, and there are no such combinations in the case of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4 or Subaru Forester.
At first glance the new BMW X3 may seem like a formidable rival, but the cheapest version costs a whopping £29,000,and there is currently no diesel option.
All in all then, the Freelander remains pretty much unchallenged in a sector of the market that it created for itself six years go, and has dominated ever since.
FAST FACTS
Land Rover Freelander 2.0 Td4 SE Estate auto
Price: £23,800
Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,951cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving all four wheels via 5spd automatic transmission
Max speed: 100mph
0-62mph: 14.3 secs
Combined mpg: 37.2
Insurance group: 11
CO2 emissions: 240g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage