Strengths

Off-road ability; seating space and comfort; available technology and luxury features.

 

Changes

For 2009, the LR3 is largely unchanged. The lineup has been moved around, and the HSE and Luxury trims are now options package. 19" wheels are now standard.

 

Value

The LR3 stands out in its class of premium sport utility vehicles with a good mix of tough off-road ability, interior comfort and a good on-road ride. The Terrain Response allows even novices to get through tough off-road situations. Inside, it offers available appointments-such as second-row heated seats, a heated windshield and adaptive lighting headlamps-that aren't widely available.

 

Overview

The Land Rover LR3 is powered by a 4.4L V8 making 300 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. The modern aluminum engine has chain-driven overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Power is delivered through a 6-speed automatic transmission, which has a Sport mode for maximum acceleration and CommandShift mode for manual shift control. The permanent 4-wheel-drive system uses an infinitely variable locking center differential to vary the torque distribution front-to-back. There's also a low range for steep or challenging off-road situations. A locking rear differential is optional.

Supplementing the mechanicals is a wide range of electronic aids. Dynamic stability control helps maintain stability on- or off-road; hill descent control helps with steep descents while off-roading; and the anti-lock braking system includes electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist.

A 4-wheel independent suspension underpins the LR3, with unequal-length control arms and air springs with electronic control and three levels of driver-selectable settings, allowing a long range of wheel travel for off-roading yet tight control for on-road handling.

Linking all of these systems together is Terrain Response, a system that automatically adjusts and coordinates the LR3's many electronic systems to suit the terrain. The system's five modes are General, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl, with the latter only available with low range.

With space for seven, the LR3 has three rows of upright seating, upholstered in soft leather. The second and third rows sit high so as to give occupants a view ahead, while the second-row seat is split 65/35 to allow sections to be folded forward to expand cargo space, and the third row folds completely down into the floor.

Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, and rear park distance control. The HSE package adds front and rear park distance control, heated front and rear seats, power-adjustable steering column, navigation system with a 7" display and Sirius satellite radio.

The Luxury package upgrades the leather seats, bi-xenon HID headlamps and a 550-watt harmon/kardon Logic7 stereo.

Other major options include heated front and rear seats, rear seat DVD player with dual display screens, an active locking rear differential and second-row automatic climate control.