Some might say that this is the underlying beauty of any Land Rover but the interior lacks imagination. It appears to have been almost an afterthought. There is air conditioning and an in-car entertainment system but the choice of upholstery is questionable and the dashboard looks distinctly plasticky, reflecting neither the ruggedness of the traditional Land Rover nor the Freelanders' muscular external styling. The top of the range leather trimmed version is the only option in my eyes. That aside however, the V6's standard five speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is a unique offering in the small 4x4 sector.
Normal mode provides for normal automatic change.
Sport mode is engaged by shifting the selector lever into the Steptronic gate. Here the gearbox changes down more readily and holds onto lower gears for longer. It has been devised to give better acceleration and improved response. The V6 was so effortless to drive with so much power behind it that the Steptronic struck me as unnecessary. Certain Freelander owners however while, admitting that it takes some time to get used to, enjoy using it and swear by the extra driveability given by being able to change up or down a gear at will by the nudge of a lever.