2008 Land Rover LR3

Tom Collins
The Auto Answerman
KEZW Radio
Denver

Vehicle Type: Mid-Size Luxury SUV
Price As Tested: $56,000
Observed Fuel Economy: 16.5 MPG

Pros:
Quiet Comfortable Ride
Off Road Capability

Cons:
Pricy

Overview:
The LR3 comes in two trim lines, the SE and our tester, the HSE. Prices start at $49,300. Both versions come with a smooth 300 hp 4.4 liter V8 coupled to a 6-speed automatic. Permanent 4WD is standard. The LR3 replaced the Discovery a few years back. I was at the International Auto Show in Anaheim when the LR3 was unveiled and named the Motor Trend SUV of the year in 2005. After spending a week behind the wheel I am not surprised it won the award.

Under the hood:
The Jaguar- derived 4.4 liter V8 is silky smooth and powerful. The all-aluminum DOHC engine features variable valve timing, 4 valves per cylinder, and an oil sump pick-up designed to work at a thirty-five degree side slope or at 45 degree ascent/decent angle. Nice for extreme off road adventures. Acceleration is good but not racy. Expect 0-60 times around 9 seconds. I got 16.5 mpg in mixed driving. Premium fuel is recommended due to the 10.8 to one compression ratio. Towing is rated at 7,700 lbs

Suspension:
The LR3 has a fully independent double-wishbone suspension complimented with an Electronic Air Suspension or EAS. The height adjustable suspension is handy for loading and unloading and it has obvious off road advantages. In full off road mode, the LR3 offers a 37.2 degree approach angle and a 29.6 degree departure angle. Wheel travel is enhanced up to 10.75 inches front and 13.0 rear. The ‘Terrain Response’ system allows you to adjust for conditions at the twist of a dial, allowing the LR3 to better deal with any driving condition including grass, gravel, snow, mud, ruts, sand and rocks. Hill descent automatically restricts downhill speed so you can concentrate on steering etc. All of this technology is kind of cool but think about it: How many owners will really need or use any of this on a $56K vehicle? Not many, in my opinion. Well, it’s there if you need it and some will take comfort in that. To me, it’s overkill although I can see the advantages of height adjustment and hill descent under certain circumstances. Off roaders will appreciate low range gearing capability and 4-wheel traction control.

On The Road:
The good news is that the LR3 rides and drives like a dream. I absolutely loved driving this vehicle. In spite of its tallish body, there is none of the body roll you might expect in a high profile vehicle. For comparison, the LR3 is about 3 inches taller than a Toyota 4Runner at 74.5 inches high. The LR3 also rides on a longer wheelbase than most competitors at 113.00. The Toyota sits on a 109 inch wheelbase. The longer wheelbase and stiff steel and aluminum frame contribute to the solid feel of the Land Rover. One drive and you will be convinced. The silky V8 engine and 6-speed transmission result in a buttery smooth driving experience. Speaking of smooth, the brakes work extremely well providing smooth confident stops. The 19 inch wheels help even out the bumps and the steering feels remarkably accurate for an SUV.

On the Inside:
If the handling, ride and off-road ability won’t win you over, the quite comfortable cabin will. I loved the seats and the driving position. The aforementioned body height pays off with loads of headroom. You can wear a cowboy hat in the LR3 with room to spare. The ‘Alpine Roof’ contributes to the ‘airy’ feeling with 2 fixed glass roof sections in addition to a traditional sunroof for front passengers. Speaking of passengers, the LR3 has seating for up to 7 with the 3rd row seating. The second and 3rd row seats fold down providing a large cargo area. The technology package provides Navigation, blue tooth capability and a killer stereo. Switchgear and controls have a nice feel and most controls are logically laid out.

Safety:
In addition to ABS, The LR3 has Stability Control and Active Roll Mitigation. The ARM adjusts the suspension to avoid a rollover. One nice feature is a back-up warning system which alerts you when you get too close to objects while backing up. The LR3 has crumple Zones and 8 airbags.

Bottom line:
Great SUV if you can afford it. Past Land Rovers have had below average reliability.

Tom Collins
The Auto Answerman
3-24-08