Land Rover LR3 Review

2009 Land Rover LR3 V8 SUV

For decades, Land Rover SUVs have been known primarily for their utility and off-road prowess. During the 1980s, they became more luxurious in nature but their ability in the dirt has never been in question.

A prime example is the Land Rover LR3. A few years ago, Land Rover replaced the aging Discovery with the LR3. (Outside of the North American market, the LR3 is called the "Discovery3.") The old "Disco" was long on utility but a little shy on amenities. The LR3 offers a lot more style but we still think the interior is a little on the spartan side given the LR3's price.

Current Land Rover LR3 Models

The Land Rover LR3 luxury SUV is available in one trim level (SE). The entry-level 216-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 was dropped for 2008, leaving the 300-hp 4.4-liter V8 as the LR3's only available power plant. Even the base-model LR3 SE offers 19-inch wheels, leather seating, a sunroof, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon stereo and, as of 2008, a third row of seats at no extra cost. Also standard is a full array of safety equipment, including front, side and side curtain airbags. The HSE option package comes standard with heated front and rear seats, Bluetooth, a power tilt steering wheel, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a navigation system. The HSE LUX adds further luxury niceties.

Though smaller than the Range Rover, Land Rover's midsize LR3 is still capable. V8 versions can tow up to 7,700 pounds and the LR3 is hard to beat off-road. In addition to a certain level of luxury, the LR3 also provides a useful interior as well. There's seating for seven passengers and both the second- and third-row seats fold flat to make cargo-hauling easier. The LR3 delivers the kind of tight, refined ride we expect from a luxury SUV and the steering provides excellent road feel and more feedback than many of the LR3's competitors. A tight turning circle and an effective power assist keep it nimble in parking lots.

The Land Rover LR3 is still vastly capable in the dirt and all variants come standard with fully independent adjustable air suspension and a host of electronic off-road aids. Combined with a locking center differential, an optional electronic rear locker and the LR3's new Terrain Response system, this truck has the ability to climb boulders in a single bound.

Past Land Rover LR3

The Land Rover LR3 debuted in 2005. Though Land Rover has adjusted the LR3's feature content a little, no major changes have occurred other than the HSE technically becoming an option package for 2009 rather than a trim level. Prior to the 2008 model year, the seven-passenger seating configuration was optional on the SE V6 model. Consumers interested in a used Land Rover midsize luxury SUV should check out the Discovery.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.