Freelander 2 S - Terrain Response

Hi, I am thinking of buying a 59 plate S, I am mindful it does not have terrain response. I do not do much off road, I may cross a field from time to time but I do need to be able get sat some snowy roads.

How good is the S without terrain response? Is it worth buying or should I look for a GS?

Thanks in advance.

I hope I'm not stating the obvious here, but the S not only has no TC, but it doesn't have 4x4 either. Just to be sure that you know.

Now, that's not to say it's not capable - I think either Fifth Gear of Top Gear compared a S and GS on a slippery grass slope where the GS had bog standard road tyres and the S had some kind of 20% off 80% on road tyres like Michelin Lattitudes or something. The S beat the GS simply because it had better grip from the better tyres. I'll try to find the video.

To be honest I'm dubious about a (permanent) 2wd Freelander's capabilities - it seems like it would be badly neutered to me and offers no advantages over a cheaper estate like a Volvo V50 which could probably tackle snow and grass with decent tyres just as well. Either way, comparing the S without TC, TR and 4wd to models that nave those feaures - well it's not going to be as capable, to put it mildly.

Will.

Thanks for the reply. I thought the S was a 4x4? I am not thinking of the 2WD Freelander.

Nope, it's 2wd, see here:

Explore the Land Rover Freelander S

I don't want to appear dim but I can not find anything on that page suggesting it is a 2WD?

Ah wait hang on, looks like you have the choice of the TD4 Man and TD4 Auto on the S as well - those are BOTH 4x4. But only get TR at the GS trim level and above, as you pointed out.

So yeh, avoid the eD4 !

As for terrain respose, it's pretty awesome by all accounts but us FL1 owners manage just fine with ABS and TC .

Thank you I would be interested in hearing from any owners of S's and how they cope in the snow.

simonjb said:

Thank you I would be interested in hearing from any owners of S's and how they cope in the snow.

Click to expand...

Bare in mind that TR is a relatively new tech, the vast majority of 4x4's get by very well on TC and ABS. So if you stick some decent tyres on it you should be absolutely fine . But there my experience ends as I have an FL1.

Best of luck mate .

I've spoken to many people about the TR system and have used it various times myself.

The very few who have ever touched the knob and know what it does, only tend to have used the snow mode. This delays throttle response and makes it impossible to apply harsh throttle responses. Its great for pulling away on icy roads as your unable to spin a wheel at all.

The rest is all kinda offroady.


I wouldnt buy a 2wheel drive freelander 2 though, unless you've fully test driven it. I find them horrible. Their handling, feeling under accelleration and breaking is just terrible.

Hi, thanks for the replies.

Just to confirm I am not looking at the 2WD, just considering a Freelander S which does not have the Terrain Response.

i had a td4 s auto for three years, absolutely awesome across fields, diagonally crossing ruts 12" deep, now have sd4 with terrain response and just as capable but can,t yet say more so, however it was very capable on a lr experience day .

Thanks for the reply. I am thinking of a manual not an automatic.

I’ve used terrain response on a FL2. It’s impressive, but yer can sort of manage without it and do roughly the same sort of thing, if yer driving skills are good. I’ve taken one round a LR experience course. I recon I could do the same course in my Freelander 1, which just has traction control and abs.

TR assists the driver to help yer get through an obstacle. But a lot of what it does is something a driver could do themselves. Gentle acceleration and on snow, ice, gravel and grass or you’ll spin wheels. Harsh braking on those surfaces and you’ll lock up and skid. Keep momentum going on sand or you’ll struggle to get going again. All of this is basic driving skills. Few drivers go oft road in any vehicle so they never have to use these skills. Freelander 2’s fitted with TR have the option to assist the driver if they ask fer help. That dun’t mean the car takes over and you’ll get through. Yer still have to work with the car and think what yer doing.

I likes the Freelander 2 also. Blue ones is betterer. If I buy one then it will be the GS. I don’t need the add on bits of the XS or HSE, but would like TR and hill descent and GS bits. I think the GS auto is a good level and would also consider the SD4 option. I likes going oft road so I’d be looking for the 4x4 option.

With terrain response:
Freelander 2 Terrain Response - YouTube

2wd and no terrain response:
Land Rover Freelander video review 90 sec verdict - YouTube