Discover an approved used Freelander through Stratstone
The Land Rover Freelander enjoyed much success after first appearing in 1997. Here we are taking a look at the Freelander 2 (second generation) model, which came along in 2006, and ceased production in 2014. It has since been superseded by the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
Whilst on sale, it was the entry-level Land Rover. It offered the textbook traits the brand is famous for, being great off-road and even offering front-wheel drive, the first Land Rover in history to do so.
Other reasons why a Freelander 2 may make a great used car purchase include:
- Affordability
- Great off-road capability
- Two and four-wheel drive availability
- Enhanced comfort
Engines and Driving Experience
Like many SUVs of this era, the spread of engines were mainly diesel. The entry-level eD4 offered front-wheel drive and was the cheapest to run. But if you plan on taking your Freelander on the muddy stuff, the TD4 is perhaps the best bet. The sole 3.2-litre petrol offers the most poke and performance, but economy is not great, and so best avoided if you want an efficient Freelander.
Each Freelander is fairly refined at speed and comfortable to drive. Naturally, the AWD models have the textbook Land Rover off-roading excellence, whilst the 2WD is best suited to on-road duties.
Diesel:
- eD4 (2WD): 2.2-litre, 150bhp, 0 to 62mph in 11.7 seconds, circa 47.1mpg
- TD4 (AWD): 2.2-litre, 150bhp, 0 to 62mph in 11.2 seconds, circa 45mpg
- SD4: (AWD): 2.2-litre, 190bhp, 0 to 62mph in 9.5 seconds, circa 35mpg
Petrol:
- i6 (AWD): 3.2-litre, 229bhp, 0 to 62mph in 8.4 seconds, circa 25mpg
Practicality and Running Costs
Four adults should fit rather well in a Freelander with little fuss. There is plenty of head and legroom and lots of storage for general bits and bobs. With the growing competitive SUV market, some Freelander rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE offered seven seats. This was one of the reasons Land Rover discontinued the Freelander in 2014, introducing the Discovery Sport, which offered seven seats.
There are still other positives however, like a massive 755-litre boot, which increases to 1,670 litres with the rear seats folded.
As for running costs, the fact you can pick up Freelanders for well under £10,000 makes them an attractive proposition, considering their excellent off-road nature and quiet, refined character. Opt for a diesel engine and running costs should be reasonable. The 3.2-litre petrol engine will be much more pricey to run, however. Servicing should not be too expensive if you manage to find a decent used example, and can be taken care of at any Stratstone Land Rover retailer.
Interior, Technology, and Safety
2014 was the final year for the Freelander, so interiors can look dated when compared to modern SUVs. However, the general appearance and quality is still as good as you would expect from a premium SUV.
The cabin is very comfortable and despite the somewhat bargain prices these SUVs can now be found at, the car does feel properly special. This is further confirmed by the low levels of tyre, wind and road noise when trundling along, or when cruising on a motorway.
Interior quality is great as a used vehicle, with only the infotainment screen and analogue instrument cluster ageing the cabin. We would avoid entry-level examples if possible and try to find an XS trim, as this gives all the toys which improve and enhance the interior such as leather, climate control, cruise control and sat nav.
The Freelander is also safe, thanks to a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash test score. Kit includes:
- Dual front airbags
- Antilock brakes
- Electronic stability control
- Electronic brake distribution
Is the Land Rover Freelander right for me?
If you are after a cheap used Land Rover that offers plenty of space and practicality, and is also good off-road (when opting for the 4x4 version), then the Freelander should not be overlooked.
If you require a modern alternative, then the Discovery Sport is the perfect successor with 7-seat availability and better tech, but it comes at a more expensive price.
The Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Santa Fe of the same era as the Freelander are strong rivals, both offering seven seats which the Freelander cannot offer. But the Freelander beats them both with a nicer interior and of course, the textbook off-road ability which the Nissan and Hyundai cannot match.
Why choose Stratstone for your next used vehicle
Home Delivery
Get your car delivered to your door, with prices starting from just £99.
Flexible Finance
Our flexible finance packages are tailored to your requirements.
Buy Online
Buy your next car and arrange finance from the comfort of your own home.
Heritage
Our heritage date back to 1921, which is when we were established.
Discover your next car with Stratstone
At Stratstone, we have a variety of quality used cars for you to choose from. Each car is carefully selected by our teams before making its way through the rigorous preparation process, where it is inspected by a qualified technician and then fully valeted.
All our vehicles are fully HPI checked, giving you peace of mind when making a decision. In addition, we are able to offer Home Delivery to UK mainland addresses, giving you flexibility when searching for your next car.
We are also able to offer you a tailored Service Plan for your selected car, which allows you to spread the cost of maintenance over an agreed period of time, whilst saving you money in the process.
If you would like some advice on picking the right car for you, or you have spotted a vehicle and want more information, please contact your nearest Stratstone retailer, where one of our friendly associates will be more than happy to help.
