Land Rover Freelander 1997–2003 car dimensions: 4382 mm long, 1805 mm wide and 1708 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,480 kg. Braked towing is 2,000 kg.
The cabin offers a high driving position with good forward visibility and standard driver and passenger airbags plus pretensioners. Air conditioning is available on higher grades or as an option. Cruise control appears on some later or higher trims. Four-channel ABS, electronic traction control and hill descent control are key aids fitted across much of the range for better control on and off road. Controls are straightforward with a centre stack for HVAC and audio, though some switchgear feels basic. Split-folding rear seats are standard.
Boot space is useful for a compact SUV at around 540 litres with seats up on five-door models, expanding to 1320 litres when the rear seats fold. Three-door versions offer slightly less. The side-hinged tailgate with power window aids loading in tight spots.
Braked towing capacity reaches 2000 kg with unbraked at 750 kg, suitable for light trailers or small caravans on suitable models. Payload sits around 535 kg depending on specification and engine. Permanent four-wheel drive with viscous coupling, traction control and hill descent control support light work and off-road use without a low-range gearbox.
The cabin has a high driving position with good all-round visibility. Seats are manually adjusted with lumbar support available on higher grades. Heated front seats are offered on some derivatives. An electric sunroof is available, while three-door models feature a removable targa roof or softback for open-air driving. Air conditioning is fitted on many grades along with electric windows and a tilt steering wheel.
Service every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
Fuel tank usable capacity 64 litres on petrol models and 59 litres on diesel models.
Driver airbag standard on all derivatives. passenger airbag standard on some and optional on others.
Pyrotechnic front seat belt pretensioners fitted to all derivatives.
Four-channel ABS, electronic traction control and hill descent control standard.
Euro NCAP adult occupant rating of 3 stars from 2002 test.
Petrol engines take unleaded 95 RON fuel. Diesel models use the appropriate diesel specification. Combined fuel consumption figures in the handbook are 10.4 l/100 km for the 1.8 petrol manual, 12.4 l/100 km for the 2.5 petrol automatic, 7.6 l/100 km for the 2.0 diesel manual and 8.6 l/100 km for the 2.0 diesel automatic.
Routine servicing follows an A/B schedule alternating every 12,000 miles or 12 months. Coolant and brake fluid are renewed every 36,000 miles or 36 months. Timing belt intervals vary by engine: 48,000 miles or 48 months on early diesel, longer on petrol. Gearbox oil is changed every 96,000 miles or 96 months.
Safety equipment centres on dual-stage protection with airbags and pretensioners plus ABS-based systems for traction and controlled descents. The structure uses an integrated body and chassis with crumple zones. The 2002 Euro NCAP test gave 3 stars overall, with structural instability noted in the offset frontal impact and moderate chest injury risk in side impact. No side airbags were fitted.
Keep the viscous coupling unit in good order as it is critical to the permanent four-wheel-drive system. Airbags require replacement every ten years and pretensioners every fifteen years. Regular checks of the softback or hardback roof seals and drainage help prevent water ingress on three-door models.
Length 4382 mm, Width 1805 mm, Height 1708 mm, Wheelbase 2557 mm (Freelander 1997–2003)
Sources: manufacturer data, carsguide.com.au, lrservice.ru and auto-data.net.