2004 Land Rover Freelander: Road Test
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2004 Land Rover Freelander ▼
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- MSRP: $25,330 -$28,330
- Invoice: $23,304 -$26,064
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Our road test for the 2004 Land Rover Freelander includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Land Rover Freelander from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Land Rover Freelander, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Land Rover Freelander help you decide if a 2004 Land Rover Freelander is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4.2 |
Freelander is heavy for a compact SUV. Progress off the line is soft, contributing to the subpar 10.3 sec 0-60 mph in our tests. Underway, it's far less lively than V6 Ford Escape, and no more responsive than Honda's 4-cyl CR-V. Manually shifting Freelander's automatic transmission improves midrange response considerably.
FUEL ECONOMY
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4.7 |
Test Freelanders averaged 13.0 mpg in all-city driving, 16.4-17.6 overall--not great for a compact SUV. Freelander uses regular-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4.1 |
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
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4.3 |
Tight, accurate steering, but some testers consider it slow and heavy at low speeds. Admirable stability with moderate body lean and secure grip in rapid changes of direction. Strong brakes, but heavy, spongy pedal feel, and severe nosedive in simulated panic stops.
QUIETNESS
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 3.8 |
Ahead of the compact-SUV herd. V6 throaty under power. Modest tire whine on coarse surfaces. Little wind noise, though one test example suffered whistling wind leak from driver door.
CONTROLS
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 5.3 |
Readable, businesslike gauges, but some cryptic control markings. Power-window switches lit, but buried in center console. Manual-gear selection displays conveniently near speedometer. Hood release inconveniently located in right front footwell. Thick-rim steering wheel has classy feel, and cloth on upper doors is dapper. But hard plastic dominates dashboard and console, spoiling upscale mood. One test example suffered inoperative power driver window and malfunctioning keyless-remote fob.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 5.5 |
Comfortable seats with wraparound backrest, but may be slightly narrow for large bodies. High-set driving position. Standard heated mirrors a nice touch. So is class-exclusive electrically heated windshield, though heating elements can generate reflections from outside light sources at night. Brake-light support arm interrupts aft visibility, which is made worse to rear corners by SE3's roof styling. SE3's removable roof panels lack sunshades.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 4.3 |
Good knee clearance, generous foot space on chair-height seat. Roof kick-up gives fine head room. Pop-out cupholders in center armrest. Narrow doors on wagon no serious impediment to entry/exit, but SE3 suffers usual 2-dr crouch and crawl, and front seats don't automatically slide forward. Removing SE3's rear hardtop a tedious job.
CARGO ROOM
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 6.8 |
Bay wide but not long. Counterbalanced rear seat springs forward, but most testers find releases difficult to reach from side doors and resort to stretching through cargo hold from rear. Retracting tailgate window, controlled by dashboard button or tailgate keylock, is useful. Good interior storage includes ceiling nets on wagon, big map pockets, handy dashboard cubbies.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 5.6 |
Fault Freelander for premium pricing, prosaic interior decor, and awkward details like the debatable design of the rear-seat releases. For SE3, add poor rear visibility and difficult rear-seat entry/exit. Credit Freelander for being solid, comfortable, and competent. Overall, its key asset is whatever cachet the Land Rover image carries.
Total Score
| SE3 | HSE | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | 46 | 48.6 |
Total Score: 44
Scores for all Compact Sport-utility Vehicles
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