Since the original Freelander was launched more than 12 years ago, it has become one of the most useable compact 4x4s around. It looks the part, yet doesn’t cost a fortune, it has surprising off-road ability but it won’t punish suburban drivers. In short, it’s always been one of the most well-rounded compact SUVs you can buy.

Originally, the Freelander came in three body styles. The five-door Station Wagon was the most conventional, but alongside this, Land Rover offered three-door Softback and Hardback models. They also offered a true first in the form of Hill Descent Control. They knew most buyers would never need a proper low-ratio transfer box, so they didn’t go to the trouble of engineering one. They did, however, appreciate the need to control vehicle speed on descents, without the driver using the brakes and locking the wheels. It was all done via clever electronics and it has since been copied by almost every rival.

The advent of diesel
When it arrived, the old Freelander’s L-series 2.0-litre diesel engine was no superstar. It produced just 96bhp and, although it could lug well enough from low revs, it did so noisily. It was the increased economy (up around 10mpg to 36.6mpg) that saw it sell so strongly. In fact, for many, this was the first truly viable Land Rover.

But as well as the introduction of an improved range of new engines, the turn of the century saw the advent of the new Td4. There were modifications to the electronics, the suspension was recalibrated and uprated and the brakes were bigger. There were countless small tweaks too, proving that Land Rover had pored over its smallest model in an effort to make it even better. The Freelander line-up was complete, and, for a time, Land Rover could sit back and relax.

Common problems
If you are looking to buy a used Freelander today, there are some common things to look out for. Gearboxes, transfer cases and driveshafts can wear and fail, particularly if driven hard. So clean out your ears, drive in silence and listen for whines, clonks and bangs. If it sounds and feels fine (go through all the gears), it probably is. But any slurry shifts, jerky changes or low speed juddering should have you worrying. Listen out for noisy rear axles and don’t forget to check for off-road damage

Electrical problems can also be a real issue, so we’d strongly advise that you give prospective models a thorough investigation. Make sure all the controls work, and check areas such as the fuel gauge. It’s been known to fail, and repairing it isn’t cheap. If a model has air conditioning, make sure it blows cold and also check that there are no leaks apparent around the footwells when in operation.

The verdict
The Freelander is still a cracker, despite its age. It may not be a ‘proper’ 4x4 in the Defender sense, but it was never intended to be. Rather, it is a fine on-road SUV with good looks, delightful road manners and (in Td4 or V6 guises) decent engines. The Station Wagon is a flexible and practical family hack, and there are legions of specialists out there to help you if things go wrong. Just be wary of the 1.8 and know that, if you snare a good one, with low-mileage and a proven service record, you might just bag yourself the bargain of the century.

TECHY BIT

Freelander 2.0 Di

• 1998cc L-series turbo-diesel
• Max power: 96bhp @ 4,200rpm
• Max torque: 155lb.ft. @ 2,000rpm
• Max speed: 91mph
• 0-60mph: 17.0 secs
• Economy: 36.6mpg (combined)

Freelander 2.0 Td4

• 1951cc Td4 turbo-diesel
• Max power: 110bhp @ 4,000rpm
• Max torque: 191lb.ft. @ 1,750rpm
• Max speed: 102mph
• 0-60mph: 13.2 secs
• Economy: 37.1mpg (combined)