When it comes to the world of rugged charm and go-anywhere capability, few names roll off the tongue quite like Land Rover. Nestled comfortably in this illustrious lineup, the Land Rover Freelander has made a name for itself, catering to those with a penchant for adventure and a need for practicality. Its boot space, a measurement vitally important to weekend escapades and family treks alike, has evolved over the years. But how does it truly square up in the grand scheme of things?
Diving into the archives, the Freelander I popped onto the scene in 1998 with a rather modest boot, offering 311 litres of space, and expanding to a capacious 1190 litres with the rear seats folded. This storage arena wasn't exactly the eighth wonder of the world, but it was enough to fit your fancy hat collection and a picnic basket. During its first facelift, it held its ground, stubbornly keeping that same 311-litre capacity – but scoffed at the old model by adding a whopping 4 extra litres with the seats down. Enter the Freelander II, swinging open its boot lid in 2007 to reveal a more generous 405 litres and an impressive leap to 1670 litres when folding down the seats. That's enough room to throw in a couple of corgis and the Queen's sceptre – should you be so inclined.
In the family portrait of Land Rover, the Freelander giggles in the corner with its 405 litres, while its more sophisticated siblings stare down with larger trunks. The Range Rover Evoque struts in with a suave 472 litres, the Discovery Sport makes a bolder statement with 541 litres, and the Range Rover Velar shows off with 552 litres. Meanwhile, the Range Rover Sport flexes an impressive 647 litres, and the Defender goes full British Empire with a cavernous 786 litres. Finally, as if to casually drop the mic, the Range Rover boasts a boot fit for a monarch with a stately 818 litres. The poor Freelander could only gaze upward in boot space envy.
Now, let's set the scene with some friendly competition, shall we? Stand back as the Freelander goes boot-to-boot with rivals from around the globe. Our dear Freelander grins with 405 litres, while the Jeep Compass lags behind at 334 litres – slightly embarrasing, really. The Honda CR-V, with a rather apologetic offering of 374 litres, refuses to make eye contact, while the Mitsubishi Outlander hurries past, nearly on par with 402 litres. In a twist of fate, the Citroen C5 Aircross glides in like a French duke with a superior 580 litres, putting the Freelander in its humble place. Comparatively, the Nissan X-Trail parades 410 litres, and the VW Tiguan comes in matching the Evoque with 470 litres – somewhat reassuring for those who prefer a Teutonic touch to their crossover. Lastly, let's not overlook the Lancia Lybra, an Italian stallion trotting in with a slightly higher offering of 420 litres – bravo!