2005 Land Rover LR3

Land Rover may have overdone it with this new LR3. This brand new replacement for the aging Discovery is so attractive, I can see it knocking the wheels out from under the much pricier Range Rover. Never fear: The Range Rover gets some interesting updates for ’06. But for now, all attention is directed at this LR3 – with good reason. Its Ford-influenced redesign pushes this sturdy sport utility way upscale and erases many of the old Discovery’s biggest drawbacks.

The good news
The LR3 manages to maintain Land Rover’s legendary off-road capabilities and classic styling, while thoroughly modernizing its design, comforts and on-road response. It has become the best of both worlds, with looks and charm to match.

The old boxy exterior was inspired by the early, revered Land Rovers that traipsed across jungle and desert. The basic lines remain, but are softened with more glass, a lower profile and less visual interruptions. The spare tire, for example, now tucks up underneath instead of mounting on the back. This allows the rear door to open as separate glass and fold-down tailgate instead of swinging open as one heavy door. The look is less rugged, more sophisticated, but still Land Rover.

The LR3 sits on a 113.6-inch wheelbase, a 13.6-inch extension over the previous base. Overall, the body is longer, wider and 2.3 inches lower than the Discovery. These new dimensions bring it more in line with today’s luxury SUVs. It’s more dashing, less Daktari.

They also give it a more settled ride and less unwieldy presence. The significantly stiffer chassis plays in here, too, tuning the ride and handling experience more towards luxury. Add in the 4.4-liter V-8, a derivation of the engine found in the Jaguar XJ8, with 300 horses and 315 lb-ft of torque and you also have the kind of acceleration high-end SUV customers expect and Discovery never offered. The LR3 steps out confidently, quickly even.

Now throw in increased seating comfort all around and much more room for that fold-down third row, which actually seats two grownups. Finish with a long list of standard and optional luxuries and safety measures (front/side/curtain airbags), a price beginning in the mid-40s and you quickly begin to understand why the $70,000-plus Range Rover is looking askance at its new younger brother.

This contemporary take on a real sport utility includes an all-new off-road system called Terrain Response. You can dial in five different challenges via one knob: grass/gravel/snow, mud and ruts, sand, rock crawl and general driving (often an adventure in itself). Electronic throttle, ride height, traction control, stability control, differentials and gear changes then adjust automatically for the best defense. It’s amazing. The LR3 keeps intact tall approach and departure angles, considerable ground clearance and other characteristics to make all of the above challenges real possibilities. The body is steel and bolted to the frame. All in all, the LR3 is every bit as off-road worthy as its predecessor, minus the slight compromise that comes with lower ground clearance. Still, the gains in on-road manners are well worth the tradeoff, especially since so few ever tap Land Rover’s off-road potential.

The bad news
Gas mileage is lousy, but what else is new? The LR3 is heavier by about 550 pounds than the Discovery. Things have not improved in this realm.

Is it worth it?
This new LR3 is finally the vehicle the Discovery set out to be but never was. Land Rover was smart to change the name, because it shares so little with the Disco beyond size, spirit, off-road competence and nameplate. The LR3 manages in-town traffic and highway travel with equal aplomb. It no longer jostles or feels sluggish or top heavy. Finally, there is competence and balance in all its on-road performance and luxury to compete with the best in its class.

These assets come with a hefty price tag, but that won’t surprise anyone shopping in the mid-size luxury sport utility class. The LR3 is priced in with the pack. It’s when you start looking towards the full-size sport utilities that the value becomes more apparent.

Particulars
Front-engine, 5/7-passenger, 5-door SUV
Price
Base for the high-end HSE: $49,330;
As tested: $53,870
Engine
Type: 4.4L DOHC 32V aluminum V8
Power: 300 hp@ 5500 rpm; 315 lb-ft torque @ 4000 rpm
Drivertrain
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shift
Full-time four-wheel-drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 113.6 in.
Overall length: 190.9 in.
Curb weight: 5450-5800 lb.
Gas mileage
EPA rated at 14 mpg city/18 highway

Website: www.landrover.com

During her 16 years reviewing new vehicles, Beth Stein has written for Nashville's dailies (circ. 185,000), national magazines and BestStuff.com. She appeared coast-to-coast on-air for Road Test Magazine, Car And Driver Television and Motor Trend Television.