It’s taken five years, but Land Rover has finally brought the ”baby Land Rover” stateside.
Dubbed the Freelander, this little sport utility vehicle is meant to compete against the Honda CRV and Ford Escape, albeit at a higher price.
Available in S ($24,975), SE ($27,775) and HSE ($31,575) trim levels, the Freelander is novel not just for its size, but for its construction.
Until the Freelander, all Land Rovers had bodies that were attached to a rugged frame. This allows the vehicle to haul heavy loads or traverse tough terrain. But the Freelander uses unibody construction, like a car. The body and frame are a single unit. So, the Freelander isn’t meant to face the tough off-road conditions its larger cousins tackle. It also boasts an independent suspension, which gives the Freelander a car-like ride.
