Test Drive Land Rover Freelander 2000 - 2003 SUV

Cycles

In the family of hybrids of the jeep and passenger cars, solid replenishment. Nissan X-Trail, Land Rover Freelander and Ford Maverick arrived at the same time.

 
This relatively new car breed is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. Until now, the choice of cars of this price category in Russia was small: Honda CR-V and HR-V, Toyota RAV4, as well as recently joined Hyundai Santa Fe. Three newcomers are able to clearly bother the market of parkets.
 
WAY TO TRAVEL. All models are equipped, of course, a complete drive. The difference between them is to implement 4x4 regime. Freelander, which is traditionally for Land Rover, has a constant four-wheel drive with an inter-semicircular viscous and constant proportional distribution of torque between axes. Moreover, in the transmission there is an intermediate lowering gearbox with a constant gear ratio of 1.359. And no differential locks. Although to some extent their role can perform an anti-slip system.
In Maverick, the main mode of operation of the drive is the front, with automatic, in the case of explicitly slip the drive wheels, connecting the rear axle. This creates a special multi-disc clutch RBC (Rotary Blade Coupling), which simultaneously plays the role of the inter-sieve differential. For heavy sections or off-road, 4x4 lock mode is provided. In this case, the inter-axis differential is blocked, and the torque is distributed between the axes equally. There are no blocking of inter-track differentials.
 
1,2,3. Original, but convenient instrument shield. Under it - containers for drinks. The position of the ACP lever show the LEDs between fuel and temperature pointers. On covered skin steering wheel, there is control of the audio center. In the glove compartment before the driver there is a power socket, for example, for a mobile phone with GPS.
4.5. Folding leather rear seats (they are also adjustable along the angle of inclination) form a smooth floor with a practical plastic coating. At the folding armrest, an additional window is hidden in the trunk.
6. Low-positioned Motor Nissan promotes the stability of the machine. And the air intake is high, under the very edge of the hood, which reduces the risk of breading water.
7. Luxury alloy wheels shoves in the scandalous FireStone Wilderness rubber.
8,9,10. The traditional torpedo for Americans with rude, but convenient controls: on the right under the steering wheel - ack of automatic transmission, the modes of operation of which are displayed on a small display under the speedometer. Cruise control buttons are located on a leather steering wheel.
11.12. Rear seats with leather upholstery - also folding. But the armrest and the third head restraint are absent. The rear door glass opens separately.
13. The most powerful from the Trinity Motor Maverick is designed for 92th gasoline. However, completely deprived of protection from below.
Further, Nissan went to the full drive in the development of the full drive. Its transmission works in three modes: only the front-wheel drive, the automatic rear axle connection mode and the full drive mode with the inter-axis differential lock and the constant torque distribution between the axes in the ratio 57:43. Rear inter-axis differential is self-locking, and a short-sized dynamic stabilization system is still installed.
Types of equipment. From the point of view of power characteristics, Maverick leads with its 197-strong engine. Then the Freelander should be with its 177 forces, and the most latter turns out to be Nissan with a 140-heavy engine. That is, Nissan seems to be the weakest. This is quite relative. In any case, the numbers of the specific mass differ not so much. Nissan this indicator is 8.9 kg / hp, and Maverick has 7.7 kg / hp. And Freelander is almost no different from Nissan - 8.7 kg / hp. Let us, however, note that the X-Trail produced for Japan already has a 280-strong motor with turbocharging. And the only day is the day when it appears in Russia. Then the Japanese will definitely replay all his class enemies.
1. Fog lights are not included in the standard package, but the regular light Freelander is the best.
2,3,4. Symmetrical torpedo is equipped with two gloves and a set of shelves for trifles. The operating modes of the automatic transmission are displayed on the display under the speedometer. On the central console, all the control keys are collected. Yellow button before the gearbox selector includes HDC system. It works only on the first gear and reverse.
5. The luggage compartment looks modestly, but the seats are folded, like large SUVs: the back is stacked on the pillow, then everything rises vertically. The glass of the rear door is descending, with remote control.
6. Motor compartment, compared to the predecessor, has become a little longer to fit the V-shaped six. Bottom engine is protected by a powerful duralie plate.
 
But then it will happen, and while the Maverick dynamics breaks forward. And in the literal and in the figurative sense. Although it would seem that the Freelander type of Steptronic type with a 6-cylinder engine should provide the British advantages. But the regime of constant decrease in the transfer box of the Land Rover transmission can be failed. He provides him with an advantage on off-road, but on the asphalt dulls the dynamics. But in fully automatic mode, Freelander behaves like a well-width of the butler: before performing the order, it will surely ask whether Sir is sure that he just wants. However, in the manual mode of switching its reaction, it becomes much more active, but, agree, constantly pull the lever, which is also very low, is undoubtedly an amateur.
All three cars have an independent suspension, and the rear MAVERICK has a raising effect. However, the settings of the suspension themselves differ significantly. And cars behave on the road in different ways. Especially in the speed passing of turns and during maneuvers. From this point of view, Nissan came to the leaders. It rides very confidently, understandable and predictably, allows no voltage to undergo turns at a higher speed than competitors. The second place is taken by Maverick, and Freelander turns out to be in the tail. Not that of him these maneuvers are worse. Very comfortable, but softer, compared to the Japanese, and even an American, the suspension causes excessive casual rolls. And it is unpleasant - strains and makes it reduce speed.
   
Form of expression. It is clear that none of these cars is designed to overcome serious off-road. The task is simple - to drive there, where on the usual car is better and not surpass. With this, the whole Trinity copes well. The power intensity of the suspension is quite enough in order to draw along an uneven gravel cape at a speed of about 80 km / h. Short front and rear skes allow all three to be painlessly moving through ditches and cuvettes. Close to the tall and steep slope and descend from it - no problem.
However, in general, in a situation outside the asphalt, the alignment of the forces changes somewhat. In favor of Freelander and X-Trail. On dry sand, for example, where the British and the Japanese are sneaking without much voltage, Maverick begins to actively bounce, raised clouds of dust. It saves only power and moment reserves. The advantages of Freelander on the off-road, undoubtedly, there is a greater, for as much as 2 cm, clearance and the presence of a powerful regular protection from aluminum alloy. In addition, all versions with a 6-cylinder engine are equipped with a HDC system (forced speed limit within 10 km / h when descending with slippery slopes). Moreover, this system works both in motion forward and reverse. And the X-Trail, thanks to the very low center of gravity, exceeds all three transverse stability. Freelander unexpectedly discovered an unpleasant drawback - all the water from the puddle on the road for some reason straight flies on the windshield.
Portrait of a host. Without going into reasoning in terms of aesthetics and style, because the final sentence depends on the personal addictions and tastes of people, we note only some characteristic practical features. They also affect the choice. The best optics - Freelander. At night, the road and curb are greatly illuminated, resembles the light of the train spotlight. The cleanest body and thresholds (they closes the lower edge of the doors) and, as a result, in any weather, clean trousers at the driver and saddles - at the X-Trail. The descent glass of the rear door of Freelander and the separately opening glass at Maverick is very practical. The most convenient input and output - in Maverick. In it, the most convenient positions for adjusting the driver's seat. Actually the seats are most ergonomic in the X-Trail. In it, the most unusual and most stylish (and with a convenient) dashboard, although it is located exactly in the middle of Torpedo. In the Japanese and the most practical luggage compartment. Then comes Freelander, and in the last place is Maverick.
In terms of the interior decoration, the number of all kinds of useful shelves and gloves X-Trail and Freelander are approximately one level. Maverick is victory, american is rustled. Equipped with options and variety of configuration options, the X-Trail wins.
Each of the cars, as we were convinced over a few days of the test, possesses their pronounced character. They can not be glued with a label of female or male. Maverick - Rough American with cowboy sacks and habit to put legs on the table. Freelander - tightened English gentleman, equipped for light safari, X-trail is polite, but fulfilled the feeling of self-dignity and the inner strength of the tradition of the descendant of samurai. And you can still say for sure: the one who goes today on the cars, which we wrote about at the beginning of the test, will seriously come up - what to buy in a year or another?
       
Text Andrei Timofeev, photo Alexey Ilyin

Model / Modification Nissan X-Trail Ford Maverick Land Rover Freelander
Manufacturer Country Japan USA England
Body Universal Wagon Universal
Number of doors / places 5/5 5/5 5/5
ENGINE
Type gasoline with multipoint electronic injection
Front location transversely in front cross in front
Working volume (cube. Cm) 1998 2967 2497
Number / Cylinder Location 4 / Angle 6 / V-Figure 6 / V-Fig
Cylinder diameter x Piston stroke (mm) 89.0x80,3 89x79,5 80х82.8
Power, kW (hp) with rpm. / Min. 103 (140) at 6000 145 (197) at 6000 130 (177) at 6250
Max. torque (nm at rpm.) 192 at 4000 265 at 4750 240 at 4000
TRANSMISSION
Drive Plugged Full Plug Full Permanent Full
Gearbox automatic 4-speed automatic 4-speed automatic sequential 5-speed
SUSPENSION
Front independent, on the subframe, spring-loaded racks on the upper and lower levers, transverse stability stabilizer independent, spring-loaded racks on transverse levers, transverse stability stabilizer Independent, spring-loaded racks on transverse levers, transverse stability stabilizer
Rear independent spring multi-dimensional, with longitudinal, transverse and diagonal levers, transverse stability stabilizer Independent spring multi-dimensional on a subframe, transverse stability stabilizer Independent, spring-loaded racks on trapezoid levers, transverse stability stabilizer
STEERING
Type of the launch gear with a hydraulic man of an integrated type-rail type with a hydraulic device of an integrated type gear-rail type with an integrated type hydraulic
Min. The diameter of the reversal (M) 11 11.2 11.6
Torkemose
Front / rear disc ventilated / disk solid disc ventilated / drum disc ventilated / drum
ABS Electronic 4-Channel Electronic 4-Channel Electronic 4-Channel
Wheels
Tire size 215/65 R16 235/70 R16 215/65 R16
Sizes / volume / weight
Length / Width / Height (mm) 4510/1765/1675 4395/1780/1700 4445/1805/1710
Wheel base (mm) 2625 2620 2560
Front track / rear (mm) 1530/1530 1555/1550 1535/1545
Clearance (mm) 200 200 220
Volume of fuel tank (L) 60 62 59
Mass Curb (kg) 1452 1570 1525
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km / h) 180 190 182
Acceleration up to 100 km / h (sec.) 13.1 10.2 10.1
Economy
Fuel consumption (l / 100 km) city / mixed cycle / highway 12 / 7.7 18,9 / 9.3 17,2 / 9.7
The price in Moscow is about $ 35 thousand $ 36.3 thousand $ 42 thousand.
 

A source: "Autopilot"