Land Rover Freelander

The Freelander 2 sold in India was offered with a 2.2‑litre diesel automatic and full‑time AWD, producing around 148–188 bhp depending on tune and delivering roughly 420 Nm in higher states of tune, with key strengths including genuine off‑road capability, a confident ride, 5‑seat practicality and a boot around the 700–755 litre class when seats folded—the SUV featured features and a premium interior that still feel sturdy years on, 210 mm ground clearance and a 68‑litre fuel tank, but the model was discontinued in India years ago so buyers should verify service history, rust and electronic systems when considering a used example and be prepared for higher maintenance and parts lead times compared with current mainstream rivals.

The Freelander 2 sold in India is a compact premium SUV powered by a 2.2‑litre diesel engine offered in different tunes (roughly 148–188 bhp depending on variant) mated to an automatic transmission and an all‑wheel‑drive system, with key stats such as a 68‑litre tank, 210 mm ground clearance and a large boot that make it versatile for both city life and touring. I value its composed ride, strong mid‑range torque (about 420 Nm on higher tunes) and a cabin built to premium standards that prioritises comfort and equipment over lightweight agility, though electronic and infotainment features lag newer competitors and the model was discontinued in India — which affects parts availability and resale considerations. If you need genuine off‑road ability, solid long‑distance comfort and a distinctive badge, the Freelander 2 remains attractive; if you prioritise latest tech, maximum fuel efficiency or the lowest cost of ownership in India, I would steer you to more modern alternatives.

I find the Land Rover Freelander 2 to be a compelling choice if you prioritise a true off-road pedigree packaged in a compact luxury SUV; its confident all‑wheel‑drive system, composed ride and solid diesel torque make it enjoyable on rough tracks and comfortable in city use, while the cabin feels suitably premium and practical for long trips; however, expectations must be tempered for running costs, parts availability and dealer support for an older/discontinued model in India, and refinement and fuel economy lag newer rivals so I would recommend it mainly to buyers who value capability and brand character over low ownership costs.

I find the Land Rover Freelander 2 to be a compelling choice if your priorities are a trusted 4x4 capability, a comfortable, high-quality cabin and a presence that still turns heads in India; the 2.2‑litre diesel automatic delivers confident mid‑range torque and composed handling both in the city and on rough roads, while its build and long‑haul comfort make it better suited for buyers who value refinement and capability over the lowest ownership costs. The trade‑offs are clear to me: fuel economy is modest by modern standards and parts/servicing for a premium British SUV are more expensive than mainstream rivals, so I would recommend the Freelander 2 to a buyer who needs genuine off‑road competence and luxury-feel rather than someone whose top priority is low running costs or the latest infotainment and safety tech.

The new Land Rover Freelander, now an electric vehicle brand, is set to debut with a seven-seat SUV that is over five meters long, marking a significant departure from the original compact Freelander. This new model will be based on Chery’s E0X platform and feature battery electric and range extender hybrid options. I think this larger size could appeal to a broader market, especially in China.

Land Rover and Chery have signed a new deal to manufacture electric vehicles under the Freelander brand, using Chery’s EV platform. These vehicles will be produced at the Chery Jaguar Land Rover plant in Changshu, China, and will initially be sold in China before being exported globally. The Freelander brand will be marketed independently from both Land Rover and Chery.

The production of the new Freelander EVs will take place at the existing Chery Jaguar Land Rover factory in Changshu, Jiangsu province, China. This factory currently produces several Land Rover and Jaguar models, including the Discovery Sport, Evoque, and E-Pace.

The revival of the Freelander brand is part of a broader strategic cooperation between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, building on their 12-year relationship. The joint venture will promote a new model of cooperation focused on electrification, further strengthening their product matrix in China.

Chery and Jaguar Land Rover’s partnership involves using Chery’s Exeed brand technology, including hybrid and all-electric platforms. This collaboration marks another instance of global automakers leveraging Chinese technology to expand their EV offerings. I think this partnership could lead to some innovative and cost-effective EV solutions.

New examples of the Freelander 2 are discontinued in India and historic ex-showroom prices ranged roughly between ₹34.95 lakh and ₹47.87 lakh depending on variant when it was on sale, with mainstream listings and archives showing SE/HSE/S/Sterling editions in that band; for a buyer in India today the realistic route is the used market where asking prices vary widely by year, kilometres, condition and city—well-kept late-model examples with low kilometres command premiums and can still be found in metro markets; when comparing costs factor in that on-road costs (RTO, insurance and registration) on the original purchase were substantial in major cities, and current ownership should budget higher for insurance, routine servicing and possible parts import costs relative to mainstream competitors.

I note that when it was sold new in India the Freelander 2’s ex‑showroom prices ranged roughly from ₹34.95 lakh for entry variants up to around ₹47–51 lakh for higher trims depending on model and year, with commonly quoted last recorded listing bands between about ₹34.95–51.35 lakh ex‑showroom. On‑road pricing in a given city would typically add RTO, insurance and state taxes — in metros this could push on‑road figures into the mid‑₹40s to ₹50+ lakh territory for mid and top trims, and slightly lower for base variants. My assessment is that the Freelander 2 competed in a premium bracket where depreciation, spare parts and servicing weigh heavily on ownership cost; if you plan to buy one used in India factor in a higher cost of maintenance and potentially limited dealer support depending on your city, which offsets the strong cabin quality and all‑wheel capability.

The certified ARAI figure for the 2.2‑litre diesel Freelander 2 is around 12.39 kmpl, and real‑world urban/highway figures commonly fall lower depending on traffic and driving style—expect mid single‑digit to low double‑digit kmpl in mixed Indian use—so if running costs and fuel economy are primary concerns I would prioritise lower‑running alternatives or ensure you’re comfortable with diesel consumption and higher service/parts costs before buying.

The Freelander 2’s ARAI‑quoted mileage is around 12.3–12.4 kmpl for the 2.2‑litre diesel automatic, and real‑world figures in India typically trend lower—often in the 8–11 kmpl range depending on traffic, driving style and city versus highway mix. If running cost and high daily mileage are critical, I’d advise comparing the Freelander’s fuel economy and expected maintenance cost with more frugal diesel or petrol SUVs, or considering newer models with better efficiency.