New mid-size LR3 clearly the best in its class

The LR3 is the newest offering from the small legendary British company that has been the hallmark of world-class off-road vehicles. LR3 is the first completely new product developed by Land Rover since Ford acquired it in 2000. It replaces the Discovery, a dated 4x4 that had been in the Land Rover stable of products since 1994.

LR3 is a much larger vehicle than Discovery, growing 14 inches in wheelbase and 6 inches in overall length, and is slightly wider and a bit lower. The larger wheelbase allows for the addition of a third row of seats, accessible behind the second-row tilt-and-tumble seats. In every way, the new LR3 is a huge improvement over the Discovery series.

While the Discovery was equipped with a 4.6-liter, 217-horsepower V-8 the LR3 comes with a modified 4.4, 300-horsepower engine borrowed from Jaguar, also owned by Ford. The only transmission offered is the very capable six-speed ZF automatic with what Land Rover calls "intelligent adapting" that coordinates shift patterns with driver style and road conditions.

While 300 horsepower seems like plenty of muscle, don't confuse it with a performance SUV like BMW's X5. I had no trouble, however, moving up to freeway speeds or passing slower vehicles on two-lane roads. Zero-to-60 acceleration time of 8 seconds is remarkable considering the LR3 is nearly three tons of vehicle. All that weight and horsepower creates a thirst, and my observed fuel economy was 13.8 mpg during a weeklong test.

The most striking visible change from the old Discovery to the new LR3 is the exterior design, which is nothing short of stunning. The crisp bold styling recalls a front resemblance to its expensive big brother, the Range Rover. The look is modern and instantly recognizable as a Rover with multi-element headlamps, broad matte finish grille and square shoulders.

The stepped roofline is a carryover from the Discovery days and generously boosts headroom for second and third row passengers. In addition to a power tilt-and-slide sunroof over the front seats, Land Rover has installed twin "Alpine" roofs with fixed glass and integrated sunshades over the second and third row of seating, lending an open and airy feeling to the cabin.

Where the front styling is smooth, the rear has a boxy look finished with a two-piece clamshell tailgate. The uneven glass gate lifts up, leaving a smaller drop-down tailgate versus a swing-open rear door.

Inside, the new LR3 is thoughtfully crafted with a look that is unmistakably Land Rover, albeit more contemporary, yet remains functional and utilitarian. It's not what you would classify as plush, like the Cadillac SRX or Volvo XC90.

The interior is stylishly trimmed in rich perforated English leather, matte-finish metal and grained plastics rather than glossy wood finishes and shiny chrome. The dash has a simple, geometric look with all gauges and dials laid out simply and intuitively.

One feature all drivers and passengers will appreciate is the commanding visibility. Elevated stadium seating (where each row of seats is a step-up from the one in front) offers a clear view of the road and surroundings. Most drivers will clearly see the entire hood of the LR3 from their seating position.

Our LR3 tester came equipped with optional third-row seats best suited for children or very small adults. Stowage behind the seats is virtually nonexistent. Unfortunately the third-row seats can only be operated from the second row and not through the tailgate. Second-row seating is roomy and will hold three passengers with decent leg and headroom.

Land Rover reports that 40 to 45 percent of Land Rover owners take their vehicle off-pavement. For more than 50 years, Land Rover has built the most capable and best off-road vehicles in the world. No other vehicle enjoys the reputation of the venerable Land Rover brand for negotiating the most extreme conditions, from the jungles to the Sahara desert. The new LR3 continues in that tradition with an array of improvements and offerings.

Key to its off-road capability is what Land Rover calls the Terrain Response System (TRS). Keeping it simple, it is a system that combines the efforts of traction control, stability control and hill descent into one unit. A dial located on the center console with a series of levers and buttons (along with pictures) allows you to select one of five settings appropriate to the terrain you are traveling: normal, mud, snow and gravel, boulders or sand. The TRS takes over and controls throttle input, wheel slippage, suspension input, brake use and steering to fix driver error.

The LR3 is jammed packed with technological wonders that seem intimidating but come to be appreciated once you understand them.

While the current trend is for manufacturers to build SUVs on car-based platforms (known as "crossover" vehicles), LR3 utilizes two high-strength frame rails mated to a rigid body structure. The result is a body that improves on-road driving and crash safety without compromising off-road performance. I found the LR3 to be a wonderful vehicle that is comfortable and quiet. The LR3 features active roll mitigation, although I thought the vehicle felt slightly tippy on sharp curves.

The LR3 is available in two models: the generously equipped SE (beginning at $44,995) and the lavish HSE ($49,995). My test SE came equipped with the optional navigation package, lighting package, rear seat package and park assist and listed at $51,645 - a bargain for a vehicle of this caliber and equipment.

The new LR3 is one of the most advanced vehicles I have tested and is a thoroughly enjoyable vehicle on- or off-road. It's highly advanced with cutting-edge technology and fits right up there with the best luxury SUVs. Yet, it's easily the best choice for those who plan to take their vehicle off-road. It's easy to see why Motor Trend Magazine named the LR3 SUV of the Year for 2005. LR3 merits serious consideration for those who think they want a BMW X5, Cayenne or other mid-size luxury SUV.

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