Land Rover LR3

Overview

The LR3 in an impressive achievement. While other mid-luxury SUVs are surrendering off-road competence, the LR3 continues to combine responsive on-road performance with go-anywhere off-road capability in a single comfortable, safe and secure vehicle.

The LR3 offers the competence of the Range Rover and some of its luxurious feel. Underway, the LR3 feels composed and secure, with little noise and vibration transmitted into the cabin. The brakes are excellent. The LR3 incorporates the latest in electronic systems, which select the best combination of traction, power, gearing, and braking to suit any type of terrain and surface, to put serious off-road trekking within the reach of most enthusiasts. Simply twisting a knob to Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand, or Rock Crawl optimizes the settings for the LR3's mind-boggling array of electronic controls and traction aids. In short, the LR3 can go just about anywhere on the planet. And it does it in style.

The LR3 has a spacious, airy cabin with comfortable seats and intuitive controls. It can seat up to seven passengers with the optional third row, and the seats fold flat into the floor individually, making this a versatile utility vehicle.

The LR3 comes with a choice of V6 and V8 engines. For 2007, Land Rover has added more standard equipment for the V6, including leather upholstery, a power lumbar adjuster for the driver's seat, a power glass sunroof, and a 240-watt Harman/Kardon stereo with steering-wheel controls. The 4.0-liter, all-aluminum V6 produces 216 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.

The V8 is a 4.4-liter engine from Jaguar that, with variable cam phasing, develops 300 horsepower and delivers strong throttle response with 315 pound-feet of torque. The third-row seat and rear-seat heating and air conditioning are standard on all V8 models.

All models come with a six-speed automatic transmission, two-speed transfer case and permanent four-wheel drive. The LR3 comes with a remote-controlled rear suspension height adjuster that's useful for towing. A dealer-installed Class III hitch gives the LR3 a 7700-pound tow rating.

Model Lineup

The 2007 Land Rover LR3 is available in V6 SE ($41,435), V8 SE ($48,235) and HSE ($53,235) trim levels. The V6 SE is powered by a 4.0-liter engine, while the V8 SE and HSE feature a 4.4-liter V8. Trim in the V6 is basic, though Land Rover hasn't stinted on equipment or capabilities.

Safety equipment standard across the line includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and emergency Brake Assist. Seven-seat models come with eight airbags; five-seat models come with six airbags.

For 2007, all models are equipped with leather upholstery. Also standard: dual-zone automatic climate control; driver's seat power lumbar adjuster; power glass sunroof; power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors; cruise control; programmable key fob; and a folding second-row seat, split 65/35 in five-seat LR3s and 35/30/35 in seven-seat models. A three-flash lane-change feature has been added to the turn signal switch. Standard audio in the V6 SE is now the previously optional 240-watt Harmon/Kardon unit with nine speakers, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, and steering wheel controls. Also standard are 18-inch aluminum rims (re-styled for '07) with 255/60HR18 mud-and-snow radials.

Options for the V6 SE include a third-row seating package ($2,200) with second-row AC and heating controls; additional second and third-row AC and heat outlets; third-row side-curtain airbags, map lights, and accessory power outlet; a rear luggage net; and an additional front cupholder.

The V8 SE adds standard seating for seven with auxiliary rear climate control; plus fog lights, rear Park Distance Control, headlight washers, rain sensing wipers, auto-dimming inside rear-view mirror, Homelink garage door opener, and puddle and footwell lights. An optional Technology Package ($3,500) includes the navigation system, telephone integration system, Sirius Satellite Radio, and a cooler box in the center console. Another V8 SE package combines bi-xenon headlights with front Park Distance Control ($750).

The HSE adds GPS/DVD on/off-road navigation with voice-activation and touch-screen capabilities, a Personal Telephone Integration system with console cradle and Bluetooth connectivity, bi-xenon headlights, and a Park Distance Control system that operates in both the front and rear. HSE also upgrades to a 550-watt Harman/Kardon Logic7 digital surround-sound system with 14 speakers, second and third row personal remote audio outputs, and auxiliary iPod jack; and 255/55HR19 mud-and-snow radials on 19-inch wheels. A Luxury Package ($1,750) combines the Cold Climate Package with a center console cooler box and adaptive front lighting. HSE buyers can also add Sirius Satellite Radio ($400).

Options for all models include a Cold Climate Package ($1,300) consisting of dual-stage heated seats in the first and second rows, heated windshield, and heated windshield washers. Also available on all models is a Heavy-Duty Package ($625) that combines an active locking rear differential with a full-size spare tire on its own aluminum-alloy wheel. Stand-alone options include personal telephone integration with Sirius Satellite Radio ($800) and Java Black Pearl paint ($400).