Freelander's boxy design would look behind the times on any other rivals, but because it is a Land Rover, we see Freelander as a compact Land Rover Discovery 3. From all angles, Freelander looks distinctly recognisable as a Land Rover. Featuring a similar theme as other Land Rover models, the dash design is neat and functional, exuding an air of class if not flair. Composed on-road and brilliant off-road are what best describe Freelander's handling. Body control and grip levels are mediocre compared to road-biased rivals, with moderate body roll through corners. The steering, though precise, feels too light and lacks the feedback that class-leaders provide. Off-road however, Freelander comes into its own, reaffirming Land Rover's off-roading prowess and heritage. Freelander provides a superb ride, smoothening out urban bumps with ease. Despite the boxy design and 18-inch tyres, wind and road noise are barely a problem. The impressive refinement makes for relaxed highway cruising. Adding to driver comfort are the excellent all-round visibility, which benefits from the high seating position, and ample seating and steering column adjustments. The neat dashboard has a functional control layout with sound ergonomics. Material and build qualities are generally good, but fall behind the best in the mid-size luxury SUV segment. Cabin parts, some shared with Land Rover Discovery 3, are well fitted and finished, while materials used are premium to touch and look at. Reliability will be the biggest concern as Land Rover models have had a number of reliability problems over the years. There is only one diesel engine for selection, which is an unique situation in Malaysia considering how usually only petrol engines are offered. The 2.2-litre TD4 common-rail turbo-diesel produces 160 bhp at 4000 rpm and 400 Nm at 2000 rpm. With the maximum torque coming at just 2000 rpm, there is plenty of punch for city-driving, while remaining refined and economical. The six-speed automatic transmission comes with CommandShift, which adapts to driving style over time. Manual sequential gear changes are also possible. Front driver and passenger enjoy generous amounts of room, however rear passengers sit with only sufficient legroom. Boot capacity is poor by class standards, made worse by a high boot floor that hinders loading of bulky items. For added space and versatility, rear seats can 60/40 split-fold or fold completely flat. On the whole, Freelander's roominess lags the leading class standards. Fuel economy benefits little from the use of a diesel engine, returning only 11.8 km/litre. Expect to see significant servicing bills, as is normally the case for most luxury brands. Depreciation should be kept in check, with both the reputable Land Rover brand and the relative small number of Freelanders on the roads mitigating the potential second-hand value loss. From lower-end Honda CRV, to BMW X3, to Audi Q7, the SUVs we have on our roads today are hugely road-biased, and mildly able to go off-road. This trend merely answers what consumers want. In Freelander, there is a combination of on-road refinement and off-road prowess, and not to forget the esteemed Land Rover badge. If your lifestyle involves off-roading, Freelander fits the bill. But if you are looking for driving pleasure, there are better options out there. Seven airbags, Electronic Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Emergency Brake Assist, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Stability Control, Roll Stability Control, Hill Descent Control, Anti-lock Braking System, full-time 4x4 system, Terrain Response technology, cruise control, automatic climate control, six-way electric driver seat adjustments, leather steering wheel with audio system controls, bi-xenon headlights, in-dash six-CD changer with nine speakers, and 18-inch alloy wheels are all standard. Quite easily Land Rover's “greenest” model, emitting 224 g/km of carbon dioxide. The stable of mostly high engine capacity SUVs makes Land Rover one of the worst polluting automakers.