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1.8 Stats
Top speed: 98 mph 0-60mph: 13 seconds Economy: 27.3 mpg NCAP: N/a
Why Buy: It’s a Land Rover and that means that it is good off road. You won’t mind that the earlier cars are now quite dated if you need the Freelander to do a job, like tow a trailer.
Equipment: Earlier Freelanders can be quite spartan and XE is essential for ABS and Hill
Descent Control and the GS level is essential if you want airbags. Revised models from 2003
have Hill Descent, and everything above the E has air con.
Driving: Off road there really isn’t an issue at all, that’s what the Freelander does. On road it will deal with speed humps easily and is surprisingly good around town. Engines, though, can get noisy.
Marketplace: The Freelander has suffered particularly badly because of the fuel crisis and all models can be bought very cheaply. Obviously the petrols, especially the V6 are the least wanted but the very best value.
Best Buys: The petrols. The 1.8 may struggle is you are working hard, so despite the mpg penalty a V6 may offset this with its low asking price. General unpopularity also means the early diesels and better Td4 are cheaper than ever, just avoid commercials and basic E models.
Sum Up: This is no soft roader, because unlike many Japanese rivals it won’t struggle in the mud. For refinement and unquestioned reliability, buy elsewhere, otherwise, buy now because prices are on the floor.
Words James Rupert