THERE are times when you can't help but feel rather smug, and being behind the wheel of a Land Rover is one of them.
It's a comforting feeling to climb into one of these quality British beauties.
After all, no matter what the weather is like outside, you know for a fact that the Freelander 2 will never let you down.
Indeed, it is amazing just how much confidence a vehicle such as the baby Land Rover provides when the going gets tough.
In all honesty, few vehicles provide as much assurance and versatility as this rock-solid SUV provides.
The Freelander is equally at home ferrying the family around town as it is taking to a rutted hillside track.
The first-generation Freelander set the benchmark within its sector while the current model has simply moved the bar forward again.
All of which perhaps explains why it has dominated the 4x4 market for a number of years now.
The Freelander family amounts to 10 models, although the choice of powertrains is restricted to just two.
There is the top-end 3.2-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine or the more frugal 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel which will account for most sales.
The oil-burner is capable of a top speed of 112mph and takes just over 11 seconds to go from standstill to 62mph. But the most important figure is the 37mpg fuel consumption.
Diesels have come a long way from the days when they were considered smelly and noisy.
The latest-generation engines are much more powerful and refined compared with the early versions.
And certainly the Land Rover unit is among the best of them, with plenty of low-end pulling power available at any given time.
As I said, the Freelander 2 is as comfortable off-road as it is pounding down a motorway.
Everything about this SUV is build to withstand the test of time and there is a real rigidity about it.
It features a host of sophisticated technology, including terrain response to ensure that it never loses its way.
The cabin area has been improved greatly and the quality of the trim finish is much more fitting of a vehicle in its price bracket.
In many respects, the Freelander 2 is a shortened version of its much more expensive bigger brother, the Range Rover, both in terms of look and feel.
FAST FACTS
Land Rover Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 HSE 5dr
Price: £30,960
Mechanical: 160PS, 2,179cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 11.7 secs
Combined mpg: 37.7
Insurance group: 13
CO2 emissions: 194g/km
BiK rating: 28%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage, 6yrs anti-rust