2002 Land Rover Freelander

Although the Freelander isn't the fastest or most powerful in its class, Rover offers U.S. customers a 2.5L V-6 powerplant.

The new 174-bhp alloy V-6 puts out plenty of power (on unleaded regular) to hustle nearly two tons of loaded Freelander, although the heavier Jeep Liberty will beat it handily to sixty by 2.4 seconds. One of several pleasant surprises is the five-speed sport shifter (a unique-to-this-class inclusion), which, along with the sweet, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, facilitates spirited driving on curvy roads. You can change gears easily or just keep the lever in Drive for brainless motoring.


Another neat touch is the Hill Descent feature. Simply keep your wellie (golashes on the West Side of the Pond) off the brake pedal and the Freelander will sure-footedly scramble down the steepest grades. The viscous-coupling all-wheel-drive system has no low-range, but Freelander compensates with the aforementioned hill holder, the ability to transfer almost 95 percent of the power to the front wheels for basic on-road motoring, electronic traction control, and sufficient ground clearance to handle rocky terrain without worrying about smacking a low-slung diff pumpkin.

Available interior amenities include Alpaca Beige leather and a 240-watt Harman/Kardon sound system. A navigation system (not pictured) is another option.

A steel unit body and twin longitudinal box-section frame rails, anchored by plenty of sturdy crossmembers, absorb most of the flex you feel when one side of any vehicle is pointed South and the other North. Inside, even the base Freelander ($25,600, including freight) is nicely appointed. Another $2,800 for the SE gets you leather upholstery, roof rails, privacy glass, and more. The high-zoot $32,200-and-up HSE gets a much-too-basic Becker GPS nav system (our one disappointment), still-nicer 17-inch "Montana" alloy wheels, a power sunroof (optional on S and SE), Alpaca Beige leather upholstery and a 240-watt, nine-speaker premium Harman/Kardon audio system with a 6-disc CD changer. A four-year, 50,000 mile warranty (on all three) should temper any lingering fears left over from Morris Minor and Lucas electric days.


Should you pick the Freelander over the Liberty? That depends on what you're looking for. The Liberty is a bit more basic, a little larger inside, quicker and noisier. The Freelander is slightly smaller inside, slower but more rugged-looking, very nice on-road and with all the cache of its British nameplate. (www.freelander.com)