This second generation Freelander was launched in 2006 to take on a host of mainly Japanese rivals. It did, establishing itself near the top of the compact SUV sector, unchallenged off road and a force to be reckoned with on-tarmac too, especially after an efficient stop-start system was introduced in 2009. Even so, by 2010, cheaper versions of this car were losing sales to pretend offroaders from the Qashqai ‘crossover’ class, while top models were being threatened by ever plusher and pricier compact SUVs from BMW, Volvo and Audi. Land Rover responded with a styling update, a 2WD option and a pokier 190PS SD flagship version of the familiar 2.0-litre diesel engine, which by now was the only unit on offer.

It wasn’t quite enough. The Freelander still lacked the showroom polish of some of its German prestige rivals: that ‘Range Rover for the real world feel’ that the brochures promised. So Solihull tried again and in early 2013, the more premium-feeling versions we’re going to look at here were launched, with minor styling tweaks, some key hi-tech options and much smarter cabins. In truth, it was a bit of sticking plaster development, aimed to staunch the loss of sales until the car’s replacement arrived in 2015. That car would no longer bear the Freelander badge, instead being dubbed the Discovery Sport.