IT IS a shame for Ford Motor to be disposing of its 'crown jewels' at a time when it looks like it has a real chance at succeeding in the real world.

Aston Martin's DB9, V8 Vantage and the upcoming DBS are knockouts. Jaguar's replacement for the S-Type, called the XF, will definitely start winning fans over from BMW, Mercedes and Lexus.

And Land Rover has just completed making over its entire range, starting with the Range Rover and finishing with the Freelander.

The first Freelander was unveiled 10 years ago. It was supposed to be Land Rover's response to mass-market soft SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Well, it was the wrong response. For that matter, Land Rover should not even have bothered responding to mass-market soft SUVs.

Land Rover has come to that realisation with its second Freelander. Instead of a crusty 1.8-litre Rover K-series engine, the new car gets a stonking 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder.

That makes the first huge difference in the new car. In terms of power, pace and refinement, the engine (also found in the Volvo S80) takes the Freelander to a far higher league. It will now compete with something like the BMW X3 - and win.

The engine is paired with a transmission every upper-crust contender has: a six-speed automatic with quick shift.

In front of the gear lever, you will find a knob for dialling in any of four different drive modes. Getting the four-wheel-drive to negotiate various types of terrain is now as easy as channel surfing.

And like the Discovery and Range Rover, the new Freelander is a competent climber, crawler, carrier and cruiser. It will wade through half-metre flood waters and it can ascend slopes of 31 degrees and descend ramps of 34 degrees.

It will tow anything up to two tonnes and it has a huge cargo area. When all the seats are up, you have 755 litres (50 per cent more than a Mercedes E-class). Fold the second row and you have 1,670 litres. Not only that, it will seat five easily.

On tarmac, the Freelander offers a car-like ride quality, a commanding stance and effortless straight-line tracking. However, taking a corner just a wee bit hastily will make the wheels squeal. (In fact, there is a warning on the sun visor against fast cornering.)

Despite this inaptitude, you feel completely in control and at ease at the wheel. This is largely because the new Freelander is as solidly built as its bigger siblings. Everything you see and feel onboard has a durable yet stylish finish.

The car's design has an unmistakable Land Rover stamp. It is unapologetically angular and unabashedly anti-fashion, conforming to none of the roundedness of modern soft SUVs or the wedge shape of 'crossovers'.

Its beauty lies within a deep functionality that sets the marque apart from other multi-terrain makes. From its ridged bonnet to its grooved roof, its undercarriage shield to its thick door handles - everything conveys toughness.

Yet, niceties such as dual-zone climate control, electrically adjustable seats, steering-mounted controls (including cruise control) and a brilliant stereo (with separate rear controls) abound.

That Land Rover has lavished so much attention on an entry-level model is nothing short of astounding.

Which explains why the car isn't in the least 'entry-level'. In a market where SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Jeep Compass and Suzuki Grand Vitara are priced below $100,000, the new Freelander seems pricey.

But it will outrun, outclimb, outswim and outshine everything in its price segment (and more). Finally, it is not as daunting to drive as its humongous brethren, and yet possesses as much presence.

On that front, it is a shoulder above the competition.

Lucky then, for whoever buys Land Rover and Jaguar from Ford.

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2
Price: $168,888 with COE
Engine: 3,192cc 24-valve inline-6
Transmission: Six-speed auto with manual select
Power: 233bhp at 6,300rpm
Torque: 317Nm at 3,200rpm
0-100kmh: 8.4 seconds
Top speed: 200kmh
Fuel consumption: 15.8 litres/100km (city)
Agent: Vantage Automotive