First Look at Freelander 2 - Don't Like It

**101RRS** · 22nd September 2007, 06:45 PM

Well I finally had a look at the new Freelander 2.

As most of you know, I am a Freelander supporter but the new model didn't do much for me - other than trick electrics on the 4wd system that doesan't actually work better on the road than the old system and an updated interior it is pretty much the same - not really bigger but a hell of a lot more expensive.

Nice car - but

Also had a look at the opposition softroaders - for what they are all desihned for, I cannot see the extra $15-$20 K for the Freelander - yes it is a better car but not that much. I appreciate Landrover thinks it is competing against the BMW X3 but in Aust it isn't - I will not be buying one and at that price I doubt it will be a success. Compared to what is on offer elsewhere - the Freelander is just not value for money.

It would seem that the Defender will now likely be the cheapest car in the landrover range - compared to the Freelander it is a bargain - might consider it instead as my town car.

Garry

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 22nd September 2007, 06:58 PM

Interesting. I don't think you'll find too many people cross shopping the defender and the Freelander though.

**Utemad** · 22nd September 2007, 07:07 PM

The Freelander2 might be more expensive than the equivalent BMW new (I have no idea what either costs) but I bet the positions will be reversed when they are both sold on the 2nd hand market in 2-3 years time

**LandyAndy** · 22nd September 2007, 07:11 PM

Must admit I thought they looked pretty good when I sat in one a few weeks back.Wasnt too much smaller than my D2,and looked pretty smart too.
Was offered a drive,but I declined telling the rep I dont want one,just a Landy Nutter having a look.
Asked for a drive of a Range Rover Sport,his turn to laugh

Andrew

**gorby** · 22nd September 2007, 07:20 PM

I've looked at a couple though I admit I've not driven one. I was impressed with it. Much more upmarket feel than the old one, which I was a fan of too.

I guess the shift upmarket was going to happen really as land rover seem to be more pushing towards the luxury end of the market with the x3 etc. And I feel with that being a euro brand it's probably more difficult to compete against the likes of toyota and nissan price wise (import tax, shipping, and strong £), so why not move the car upmarket, and try and distance it''s self from the likes of the xtrail, rav4 and CR-V.

**djhampson** · 22nd September 2007, 09:38 PM

The F2 can't be compared to the Rav4, CRV, X trail etc because they are in a different class of vehicle when you compare the engines. Small petrol engines compared to a bigish petrol or a torquey diesel.

The F2 still has a 10k advantage on the cheapest BMW X3 so it sort of ends up in a class of its own.

I took my F2 off road for the first time today - drove up the beach on Bribe Island. The car performed very well, the diesel engine is great. The driver on the other hand had a sub-standard performance and stuffed up a beach crossing by doing first and thinking second.

Thankfully a V8 Disco 1 was on hand to rectify the drivers stupidity.

The F2 was the car for me because its a nice comfortable car that doesn't handle like a bus for the weekday commute but it is still capable for some fun on the weekends.

**Timmo** · 22nd September 2007, 09:41 PM

Think from what I have seen the X3 is about 15k more than the freelander.

**landyfever** · 22nd September 2007, 09:44 PM

Are you sure it was a Freelander '2' that you drove

Seriously though I have driven several & I think their awsome

Its still a 'softroader'.
My choice would be the TD4 auto.

**gorby** · 22nd September 2007, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by djhampson

The F2 can't be compared to the Rav4, CRV, X trail etc because they are in a different class of vehicle when you compare the engines. Small petrol engines compared to a bigish petrol or a torquey diesel.

That was exactly my point.

**101RRS** · 22nd September 2007, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by djhampson

The F2 can't be compared to the Rav4, CRV, X trail etc because they are in a different class of vehicle when you compare the engines. Small petrol engines compared to a bigish petrol or a torquey diesel.

The engines in the smaller softroaders are mostly V6 engines of 2.5 litres some are larger so not all that much smaller than the Freelander. The crappy jeeps have similar sized diesels and the physical size of the freelander is RAV 4 size - the larger softroaders such as Kluger, CX7 and Murano have engines the same size as the Freelander and present a better package for the price (most are about $5-10K) less than the Freelander. The FL is superior offroad but this is not its market.

The magazines etc still have the Freelander in the the compact softroader class with the RAVs etc not in the luxury softroader class like the BMW. It is only landrover that thinks it should be compared to the X3.

The Freelander is a great car and better than the RAVs etc but it is not $15K better - a TD4 HSE is over $60K on the road. Having said that though, a diesel BMW X3 is $20K more than the Freelander and the BMW is no better than the Freelander.

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