2002-2005 Land Rover Freelander - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	Land Rover Freelander Rating (See All Ratings)

Performance	3

Fuel Economy	3

Ride Quality	5

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	5

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	5

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	7

Value within Class	3

Total Score:	41

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model

2002-2005 LAND ROVER FREELANDER BUYING RESOURCES

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2002-2005 Land Rover Freelander Review

Land Rover launched its first compact SUV as a 2002 model. Like the British luxury 4x4 maker's other vehicles, the big Range Rover and midsize Discovery, the Freelander was built in England. Unibodied in construction, the new four-door wagon used a 175-horsepower V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard. It lacked low-range gearing, but incorporated traction control and hill descent control, designed to limit speed down steep grades. Antilock braking was standard, but side airbags were unavailable. Base S, SE, and top-line HSE models were offered. Standard on SE and HSE were leather upholstery and 17-inch wheels, versus 16s. The HSE included a voice-prompt navigation system, plus a sunroof that was optional on the SE. Rivals include the slightly smaller Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute and the Honda CR-V. Land Rover is owned by Ford Motor Company.

Year to Year Changes

2003 Land Rover Freelander: Addition of a two-door "open-air" wagon headlined changes to Land Rover's entry-level SUV for 2003. Named the SE3, for its two side doors plus a rear hatch, the new model was the same size as Freelander's four-door wagon. Unlike the four-door, it had two removable roof panels over the front seats, and a removable hardtop over the rear seats and cargo area. All Freelanders had a class-exclusive power up/down rear window in a swing-out cargo door. The SE3 came in a single trim level that included 17-inch wheels and an uplevel audio system with steering-wheel-mounted controls. Vinyl-and-fabric upholstery was standard; leather optional. Newly standard on all Freelanders for 2003 were bodyside moldings and LATCH child-seat anchors. This year's fuel tank held 16.9 gallons rather than 15.6.

2004 Land Rover Freelander: New front styling and a revised interior marked the 2004 models. Instruments, controls, door panels, and seats were modified. The S wagon was dropped, leaving only SE and HSE models, both with leather upholstery. New standard equipment included roof rails, tinted windows, and an in-dash CD changer. Land Rover also offered the SE3 semi-convertible. All models now had 17-inch wheels.

2005 Land Rover Freelander: No changes and an abbreviated lineup marks 2005 for Land Rover's Freelander.

2002-2005 Land Rover Freelander Road Test >

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