The Freelander name is back — and it’s launching from the UAE
If you’ve been watching the Land Rover space among used cars for sale in Abu Dhabi, here’s a development worth knowing. Freelander is returning as a standalone brand under JLR’s partnership with Chery, and its global reveal happens in Abu Dhabi on 29 September 2025. The new lineup targets the compact-to-midsize SUV space — think Discovery Sport territory, but at a lower price point. If you’re not ready to wait, used Discovery Sports from 2016 are listed around AED 40,000 on CarSwitch right now. Here’s everything we know so far.
The short version
- Freelander relaunches as a JLR-Chery brand — global debut in Abu Dhabi, 29 September 2025.
- New models will be electrified SUVs positioned below the current Discovery Sport.
- No confirmed UAE pricing yet — wait for the reveal before committing.
- A used 2016 Discovery Sport on CarSwitch sits around AED 40,000 with about 130,000 km on it.
- SUVs make up nearly half of all buyer searches on CarSwitch (CarSwitch listings data, July 2026), so demand in this space is real.
What we know about the new Freelander cars in UAE
JLR and Chery Auto confirmed this joint-venture brand in late 2024. Freelander will operate independently from Land Rover, with its own design language and engineering. The Abu Dhabi launch event on 29 September is expected to show at least two models — a compact SUV and a midsize SUV — both with hybrid or fully electric powertrains.
The original Freelander was discontinued in 2014, replaced by the Discovery Sport. This revival isn’t a continuation. It’s a ground-up brand aimed at younger, tech-forward buyers who want the Land Rover heritage without the Land Rover price tag.
Pricing hasn’t been announced for the UAE. But based on Chery’s positioning in other markets, expect these to land below where the Discovery Sport currently sits — likely in the AED 120,000–180,000 range when they arrive, though that’s speculation until JLR confirms it.
Why Abu Dhabi for a global launch?
The UAE is a serious SUV market. On CarSwitch, SUVs account for over 63% of all listings — and about half of all buyer searches are specifically for SUVs. Abu Dhabi’s role as a host for global automotive events has grown, and JLR clearly sees the Gulf as a priority market for this brand.
“SUV demand here is enormous — it’s been the top body type in buyer searches for as long as I can remember. A new brand entering that space from Abu Dhabi makes complete sense.”
Ramiz Islam, Head of Marketing at CarSwitch
How used Discovery Sports compare right now
If you like the idea of a compact Land Rover but don’t want to wait for Freelander availability and pricing, the Discovery Sport is your closest comparison. It’s the car that replaced the original Freelander, after all.
On CarSwitch, a 2016 Discovery Sport is listed around AED 40,000 with roughly 130,000 km on the clock. That’s a ten-year-old car, but these hold up well mechanically if they’ve been maintained — and every one on CarSwitch is inspection-verified before it’s listed.
Across the compact crossover space more broadly, cars lose about 6% of their value per year over the first three years. By year four, that pace picks up a bit — they hold on to about 75% of their original price. So a three-year-old compact SUV still carries roughly 84% of its new value, which tells you these aren’t falling off a cliff.
2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport: AED 39,750 asking price, 130,375 km on the odometer
Compact crossovers at 3 years old retain 84% of their value
SUVs represent 63% of all CarSwitch listings — and 49% of all buyer searches
Used Discovery Sport snapshot — cars in UAE on CarSwitch
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Model | Land Rover Discovery Sport 2016 |
| Asking price (typical) | AED 39,750 |
| Price range (middle 50%) | AED 39,500 – AED 43,500 |
| Typical odometer | 130,375 km |
| Compact crossover value retained at 3 years | 84% |
| Compact crossover value retained at 4 years | 75% |
What to think about if you’re choosing between new and used
The new Freelander models will likely come with manufacturer warranty and the latest tech. On cars up to two years old listed on CarSwitch, over 82% already have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and about 91% have parking sensors. So even recent used models aren’t exactly stripped down.
One thing that moves price noticeably on used cars: accident history. Cars with a minor accident on record tend to sit about 9% below clean ones. And cars still under manufacturer warranty carry roughly a 5% premium. Both are things you’ll see clearly on any CarSwitch listing — no hidden surprises.
If you’re looking at cars in UAE under AED 50,000, a used Discovery Sport falls right in that window. A semi-loaded version typically costs about 4% less than a fully loaded one, so you don’t pay much extra for the full spec.
City doesn’t matter much for pricing
Whether you’re browsing in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, the price difference on like-for-like cars is under 2%. Not enough to drive across the country for. Pick the city that’s convenient and focus on the car, not the postcode.
What happens next
The 29 September reveal should give us confirmed models, specs, and — hopefully — UAE pricing. We’ll update this post once those details land. In the meantime, if you’re already shopping in the compact SUV space, browse inspection-verified cars in Abu Dhabi or check what’s available across the UAE.
Thinking of selling your current car in Abu Dhabi to make room for something new? Real people are here to walk you through it — smoothly, from listing to handover.
Freelander’s global brand reveal takes place in Abu Dhabi on 29 September 2025. UAE availability and pricing haven’t been confirmed yet — those details should come at or shortly after the event.
No. The original Freelander was a Land Rover model discontinued in 2014. The new Freelander is a standalone brand created through a JLR-Chery partnership, with its own design and engineering. It’s a fresh start, not a continuation.
On CarSwitch, a 2016 Discovery Sport is listed around AED 40,000 with about 130,000 km. Prices for the middle 50% of listings fall between AED 39,500 and AED 43,500, based on CarSwitch data from July 2026.
That depends on your budget and timeline. The new Freelander is likely months away from hitting showrooms, and pricing is unknown. A used Discovery Sport is available now from around AED 40,000 — and every one on CarSwitch is inspection-verified before listing.
