2.2 TD4 XS 5dr 4 X 4

Not perfect, but hugely impressive.

I drive between 35,000 and 40,000 miles a year and have done so since the mid 1980's. My favourites over that time have been Montego Estates, a Peugeot 406 estate, several Citroen XM estates and a series of Volvo V70 D5's.

The Freelander 2 was the first time I'd had anything like a 4x4.

I picked it up new in June 2011 and drove it until it had to go back as part of a career change in December 2013. It had completed 89,000 miles during the 2 1/2 years I used it.


The positives:

Extraordinary off road ability for a car of its kind, even on road biased tyres. I have used this on tracks that I didn't even think that a Defender would make it through!
Extremely reliable. In fact, one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Not even a single rattle or squeak over the entire time I had this car.
The supplying dealer (Roger Young, Cornwall) was an object lesson in good customer care.
Really nice to drive, both on road and off. In fact, this car made my new Focus RS virtually redundant - we always preferred to take the Land Rover - yes, really!
Great visibility, with the typical Land Rover "Command Driving Position" and masses of glass area. All corners easily visible.
Extremely easy to park, with a very tight turning circle.
Good quality feel to most of the car, with so much of it designed with rough use in mind.
Good boot space, with a rear seat that folds properly flat.
Surprisingly quiet, especially on the motorway.
Decent equipment levels on Pre-2013 model year cars.
Superb ride quality.

The negatives:

Seat squabs a bit short in the leg and (while the seats are comfortable on a long journey), they could be better. Try before you buy.
Rear seat back rest a bit too vertical.
Headlamps adequate, but would really benefit from Xenons.


The Honest John Review:

"High number of automatic transmission and steering rack failures. Epidemic of camshaft failures on 2.2 diesel."

I have never experienced any of the above and, during the last 2 1/2 years on the Freelander 2 Forum, have never read of any instances of these alleged failures.



My verdict:

Now that the company supplied Freelander has gone back, I will be running my own car for at least the next 7 months. Consequently, I've traded the Focus RS in for another Freelander 2. Not only is it that good a car, but I'm convinced enough of its reliability and build quality that I'm prepared to spend my own money on an 18 month old one!


John.

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