Land Rover Freelander S 2004 review

There's a five speed automatic transmission to fully capitalise on the torquey, BMW-sourced diesel engine while the standard transmission is a five speed manual.

On approach, you'll notice Freelander's new face with Range Rover style multi-element headlights and other alterations to what has become a familiar face over the past seven or eight years.

Inside has also been tweaked with a redesign and new materials to give a more luxurious look and feel. New are the dash fascia, instruments, switches, door trims, seats and upholstery.

The net effect is to make Freelander look almost like a different vehicle, even though the essentials remain the same. Two body styles are available, three and five door and Land Rover has added some slick new colours to the Freelander palette including a couple pinched from Range Rover.

User-friendliness was part of the redesign brief and that sees a new centre console, cup and drink holders, repositioned power window switches and other sensible changes.

Land Rover has improved the new model's airconditioning and ventilation, rear seat latching and windscreen wipers.

The test vehicle was an auto S model five door retailing for $42,450.

The torquey diesel engine can be raucous when pushed but returns good fuel economy in mixed driving. Expect about 800km from a tank of fuel.

The five speed auto with tiptronic function and sport mode helps optimise performance by providing the right gear for any given circumstance.

But it's best left to its own devices in D.

Ride quality is good off road but the MacPherson strut suspension is a little on the soft side for fast on-road cornering leading to body roll and understeer. The vehicle weighs from 1550kg.

Off road ability is impressive despite the absence of low range 4WD or a lock up system. A number or electronic dynamic systems help off roading as well as the chunky tread tyres and 220mm ground clearance.

Access to the driver's seat is an issue for taller drivers due to the high seat/low roofline.

Freelander is different from the rest, has a great pedigree and is all the better for the turbo diesel engine.