Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 HSE (5 door)

Freelander 2 HSE automatic Metallic black with black (Santorini) leather

Performance. For a medium sized 4x4 it's has brisk, smooth (automatic)and effortless acceleration. It ticks along quietly at 90 where permitted, the brakes are sharp and responsive and average fuel economy for an enthusiastic driver comfortably exceeds 30mpg with 38mpg on a long run.

The HSE has just about every conceivable extra you can think of and several you may never need. Too numerous to go through here but I particularly like the heated front screen complete with an all round rapid clear/defrost button, the stereo sounds great and has an ipod socket, the seats are fantastic - even after 400 miles and there is ample room for 5 and luggage.

The handling is genuinely good - very good foe a 4x4, particularly (i know not why) if you are booting it up a long winding road.

I'd definately recommend it and if the budget allows, I'd go for the HSE.

I get lots of comments about its looks - all positive and people are generally surprised about the quality of the interior.

Thus far the car is 10 months old and has just had its first service at a main dealer at 15k. At £330 it wasn't at all cheap but some dealers were quoting £100 more - shop around.

In terms of value you'd have to be brave to buy a new one. Mine has an auto - command shift box (love it) and metallic which would have retailed at nigh on 34k and I picked it up of a Land Rover dealer for nearly 10k off list at 5 months old. Second hand its great value.

Interestingly it faster and more economical by far than the RR Sport TD6, it has much the same spec and interior and comes in at a fraction of the price, though I accept it falls short on image and testosterone levels.

Down sides - I'd like to see a centre console with storage - the folding arm rests are ok but I like a bumper sized bin to store my rubbish in and a large padded lid to lean on. I really can't think of anything else to gripe about.

Had the Land Rover Freelander 1.8 petrol before and this has been brilliant after I got rid of the mechanics who were little more than trained monkeys who could not even put a steering wheel on straight!