Land Rover Freelander 2

My family and I have spent Christmas in the Drakensberg for about the last 12 years. We go to the same place, with the same people and do the same things every year.

However every couple years someone, or something, breaks the cycle; nature for example, causing the river to flood, destroying the golf course along with the road out of there. Or some crazy person running around the place at New Year with his gun in the air.

The year I’m thinking of here involved a 4×4 trail craze. I was relatively young and not so in touch with the motoring world; however I can only assume it was when the SUV first caught the eye of Jo’burg yuppies.

Everyday a troop of Land Rovers, Toyota’s, Nissan’s and others streamed out the gate in search of adventure. Not before meeting in the parking lot to discuss the days route, which normally ended in a bit of an argument until the man we called “the king” rocked up – a rather portly bloke in a Toyota Land Cruiser – which apparently made him knowledgeable because everyone stopped talking so as to receive their orders.

Since we didn’t have an SUV, I used to lurk about the meeting place until someone offered me a ride for the day. And this is how I developed a fascination with the off road scene. Well when I say a fascination, I mean I enjoy bashing around the mountains in a 4×4 – nothing more than that.

And it was out in those very mountains that I first learnt of the Freelander. To say it didn’t have a good reputation would be an understatement. In fact people laughed at the one poor guy who had one, because he was only ever stuck or broken down.

Over the years this stigma has very much stuck to the Freelander. However now that version 2 has hit showroom floors, it appears that Land Rover have made every attempt to right previous wrongs. Starting with the 4×4 system, which now takes cues from the big brother Discovery. And since it’s nigh on impossible to get one of those stuck, the Freelander is pretty rugged in the rough stuff too.

Reliability is difficult to comment on from my point of view. I only ever enjoy the company of a press car for a week or so – and if it breaks down I generally assume it’s as a result of my fellow colleagues having been a bit harsh with the vehicle prior to my week. What I can report on is that it didn’t break down and all the bits and pieces were still attached when I gave it back.

Whilst version 2 doesn’t look markedly different from the old one, it is somehow more modern thanks to subtle differences. The diesel engine is the most economical in it’s class and refined to boot – even had one or two little tricks up it’s sleeve, for example the engine turned itself off at traffic lights and stop streets if stationary for long enough – which apparently saves fuel. And the interior is simple, yet elegant.

If it came to the business of me buying a compact SUV, I think I would go for the Freelander. It’s competition comprises the BMW X3, Audi Q5, some-or-other Jeep (probably the Compass or Cherokee) and a couple others. I’ll admit the BMW and the Audi will be better to drive on road, but this doesn’t make up for their downfalls off road. More so, they’re all a bit predictable – and not good in the case of the Jeep.

If Land Rover have cleared up the reliability issues, this is a brilliant car.

Price: R 380,500
Engine: 2.2 litre Turbo Diesel
Power: 118kW
Torque: 400Nm
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 11.7
Top speed: 181km/h
Fuel consumption: 7.5l/100km (claimed)

Verdict – pending reliability reports

Miles Downard

Photo Credit: Quickpic