Acceleration

HSE	Class Average
3	3.5

Freelander is heavy for a compact SUV and progress off the line is soft, contributing to the subpar 10.4 sec 0-60 mph in our tests. Underway, acceleration lags behind adequate feel of 4-cyl Honda CR-V and class-leading go of V6 Escape and Tribute. Manually shifting the automatic transmission improves midrange response considerably.

Fuel Economy

HSE	Class Average
4	4.8

Average of 16.4 mpg falls between thirstier Jeep Liberty and more-frugal V6 Ford Escape in our tests. Freelander uses regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

HSE	Class Average
5	3.7

Among the best-riding compact SUVs. Compliant but not sloppy. Takes bumps in stride. Steady on wavy surfaces. Impressively isolated from road vibrations.

Steering/Handling/Braking

HSE	Class Average
5	3.7

Freelander's top feature. Tight, accurate steering. Admirable stability at speed and in turns. Body lean evident but moderate. Road grip secure in rapid changes of direction.

Quietness

HSE	Class Average
5	3.3

Ahead of the compact-SUV herd. Little wind noise. Modest tire whine on coarse surfaces. V6 throaty under power.

Controls

HSE	Class Average
4	4.8

Readable, businesslike array, but some cryptic control markings. Power-window switches lit, but buried in center console. Manual-gear selection displays conveniently near speedometer. No navigation screen; audible directions issue from radio speakers. Cabin less-posh than Land Rover name suggests. Thick-rim steering wheel has classy feel, and cloth on upper doors is dapper, but hard plastic dominates dashboard and console, spoiling any upscale mood. Test example suffered inoperative power driver window and malfunctioning keyless-remote fob.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

HSE	Class Average
6	5

Comfortable seats bolstered by wraparound backrest, but might be slightly narrow for large bodies. High-set driving position, standard heated mirrors are nice touches. So is class-exclusive electrically heated windshield, though heating elements can generate reflections from outside light sources at night. Aft visibility interrupted by brake-light support arm.

Room/Comfort (rear)

HSE	Class Average
5	3.7

Good knee clearance, generous foot space on chair-height seat. Roof kickup gives fine head room. Popout cupholders in center armrest. Narrow doors no serious impediment to entry/exit.

Cargo Room

HSE	Class Average
5	6.7

Bay is wide but not long. Rear seat counterbalanced to spring forward easily, but fold-down releases inaccessible from side doors; reachable only by stretching over rear bumper and through cargo hold. Innovative retracting tailgate window lowers via keyfob, but raises only from dashboard button. Good interior storage includes ceiling nets, big map pockets, handy dashboard cubbies.

Value within Class

HSE	Class Average
4	5.4

Fault Freelander for premium pricing, prosaic interior decor, and awkward details like the silly rear-seat-release design. Credit it for being solid, comfortable, and competent, but its key asset is whatever cachet the Land Rover image carries.

Total Score

HSE	Class Average
46	44.6

Scores for all Compact Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		27
Average Score		44
High Score		62