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Hi all, i thought i had found my ideal used freelander, a 2004 2ltr auto diesel, but then i read in a caravan mag that they were not a good car for towing.

My van is a Bailey Ranger 1997 500/5, i think the max weight is 1149kg but not 100% sure on that. Can anyone advise as to wether or not it is a good tug please.

Don't wish to pick on the old Landie but they consistently come near the bottom of reliabality surveys.

In that link above to the 2007 JD Power survey (which covered cars built in 2004), the Freelander comes 11th in class (out of 13) and 95th overrall. My Santa Fe, for example, came 3rd and 22nd...

I know surveys aren't perfect but to consistently come near the bottom would put me off. When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter how comfortable or good at going across fields a car is, if it won't start, it's useless - reliabality is, IMO, everything.

BTW, in the latest survey (covering 2008 cars), Freelander came 9th out of 11 4x4s although a creditable 61st overrall (out of 108), so things seem to be improving a bit.

Surveys are about the attitudes of the people who have actually taken part.  Like most people I have never taken part in a survey.  The Sante fe had a satisfaction figure of 81% and the freelander 76%.  When put like that the margin isn't that great.

Two of the points that were criticised on the freelander were looks and interior.  Were they blinfolded when they bought their cars?

The freelander is built on a chassis that is related to a mondeo, unlike larger LRs.