Neither CR-V nor X3 can venture as far into the rough as Land Rover claims the Freelander can.
It rides on high-profile, hybrid tyres and its four-wheel-drive system is permanent, albeit via a Haldex clutch which can dish power to whichever axle needs it most.
Most of the time, only a small portion of drive is fed to the rear – as in the previous-generation car. But where most Haldex-equipped cars have a wet clutch between the front and rear axles, the Freelander gets an electronically controlled, pre-engaged coupling. The thinking is that it can transmit torque to the rear more quickly – within 15 degrees of wheel-slip rotation. And in our experience, it works pretty well.
Certainly, no other car in this class could match the off-road abilities of the Freelander. Like all off-roaders, for the most part its ability comes down to its tyres and some raw numbers. Ground clearance is 210mm, while the approach angle (31 degrees), breakover angle (23 degrees) and departure angle (34 degrees) are all good, and it can wade through half a metre of water.
In the end, the Land Rover’s off-road ability and its subjective appeal are the only areas where it really trounces its rivals. Certainly it doesn’t beat them on value. The base Td4S is the only one to duck under £21,000 and does without Terrain Response or automatic climate control. GS models get those, while SE models also have sat-nav, heated seats, six-CD changer and twin glass sunroof. Our HSE adds yet more kit but the GS looks the best value. All Freelanders come with seven airbags and are predicted to score four EuroNCAP stars.
