AT-A-GLANCE Land Rover Freelander 2 HSE TD4 E 5-door.

Price: £32,595.

Top speed: 112mph.

0-62mph: 10.9 seconds.

Fuel: 41.3mpg.

Emissions: CO2 (g/km): 179.

Verdict: Very desirable, great to drive, compact, refined, highly specified, smooth ride and the one to beat in its class. Expensive but value for money LAND Rover vehicles are the living legends of the 4x4 market and little can touch them in terms of brand culture.

And although more and more rivals are becoming attractive alternatives, many of them would be left stranded in a severe off-road test.

But keeping Land Rover’s blue-chip image has called for high levels of sophistication and technology and this is evident in the latest Freelander, a 4x4 being appreciated by a widening audience because it is compact, drives like an executive saloon on the road and performs with real ability off it.

The Freelander is also answering those critics striving for a cleaner environment and who are pointing fingers at the 4x4 brigade with their so-called gas-guzzling machines.

Actually, a number of the 4x4s are more frugal than some of the larger saloons.

So in a bid for greener motoring, the manufacturer has made the Freelander 2 the first model to incorporate an intelligent stop-start system, fitted to all diesel manual models, which improves fuel efficiency by shutting down the engine, in appropriate conditions, when the vehicle comes to a stop.

In traffic, at road works or waiting for a signal, fuel is saved that would otherwise be used up when stationary and with zero tailpipe emissions.

The system works well and you soon realise the usefulness of it, particularly in busy areas.

Another aid to economy is a gearshift indicator light on the dash that tells you the optimum time to select a higher gear to improve fuel returns. You’ll find these fuel-saving features alone will make a difference to the Freelander’s economy, which rises to a pleasing 41.3mpg with CO2 emissions dropping to 179g/km to lower the car’s tax band. Although compact, Freelander 2 is bigger and far more refined than its predecessor.

It’s a handsome vehicle with a strong hint of the exterior styling and interior trim items belonging to its bigger brother, the Discovery.

Like its stablemates, the Freelander doesn’t come cheap, with prices ranging from £21,295 to £34,652.

Rivals are cheaper but lack some of the Freelander’s talents.

There is a choice of two engines, a 3.2-litre straight-six petrol with 230bhp, and a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 158bhp.

For sheer performance, the petrol is the better choice but the diesel is well suited to the Freelander as it not only delivers strong performance, especially when the turbo comes into play, but offers cheaper running costs.

The interior is brilliantly fitted and laid out and will be roomy enough for most families. However, while space is plentiful in the front, it is not so generous in the rear for larger adults.

Luggage space is fairly good and is well up on the previous model.

What is impressive with this 4x4 is the improved ride and handling characteristics.

The ride remains taut but has a suppleness that makes for superior comfort and good handling.

There is none of the wallowing effect of earlier cars, so the Freelander can be driven fast with composure.

Depending on the specification there are some top-bracket items such as leather upholstery, satellite navigation and advanced driving aids. Take the terrain response system which, at the turn of rotary control, enables the driver to realise the maximum capabilities of the vehicle with a choice of four settings – general driving, grass/gravel/snow, mud and ruts, or sand. It’s like having an expert in the cab. The hill descent technology is also impressive, allowing the adventurous driver to negotiate steep muddy tracks and hillsides by ensuring the brakes are released progressively and safely.