2005 Land Rover LR3

The British Land Rover Discovery had lots of snob appeal but seemed out of place in America with quirky styling, offbeat controls and room best suited to slightly built Europeans. The new Land Rover LR3 replaces the Discovery and is a big improvement, being designed with emphasis on satisfying the U.S. market.


The Discovery had great off-road abilities, but a special suspension option was needed to make it handle without excessive sway on roads and it was too underpowered and heavy to be anything but moderately fast.


Most affluent sport-utility buyers thus bypassed the Discovery and opted for sport-utes from outfits ranging from BMW and Lexus to Jeep.


The larger, more powerful 2005 LR3 is the first Land Rover completely developed by a new management team that took over Land Rover in July 2000 after Ford bought it from BMW. Previous to BMW ownership, Land Rover was an all-British operation that offered the first upscale sport-ute in 1970, but eventually fell behind rivals in many areas.


The LR3 is about six inches longer, an inch wider, several inches lower and has a wheelbase (distance between axles) almost 14 inches longer than the Discovery, which looked top-heavy.


The LR3 is 850 pounds heavier than the 217-horsepower Discovery, but has a muscular 4.4-liter 300-horsepower V-8. It's the most powerful engine ever put in a Land Rover. The engine is derived from a 4.2-liter V-8 from Jaguar, which also is Ford-owned. Land Rover reportedly spent millions of dollars making the high-torque engine suitable for the LR3.


The engine works with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate. Acceleration to 65 mph is strong and the 65-75 mph passing time is good, although not neck-snapping.


The smooth V-8 loafs at 2,000 rpm at 70 mph, making the LR3 a relaxed long-distance cruiser. It delivers an estimated 14 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway, with a fuel tank that holds 22.8 gallons. The high 10.75:1 engine compression ratio calls for premium gasoline.


The longer LR3 wheelbase allows a spacious area for optional ($1,250) third-row seats, which come with a side curtain air bag that goes with the standard curtain air bag for first- and second-row seats. Up to eight air bags are available.


The front bucket seats are especially supportive, and the middle of the second-row split seat is comfortable; that's not the case with many sport-utes -- or even with most upscale cars. There's standard five-passenger seating, with two third-row seats allowing room for seven occupants.


The third-row seats aren't too difficult to reach and are not just for children, as are many third-row sport-ute seats. Even 6-footers have decent room in them, although there isn't much leg room to spare.


Cargo room is marginal with the two third-row seats in their normal position, but second- and third-row seats fold flat to allow an enormous cargo area.


The LR3 has a massive feel, which is no illusion; this sport-ute is ruggedly built and equipped for serious off-road driving. It has a permanent four-wheel-drive system, separate low-range gearing and locking center differential, with an available locking rear differential. There's also a hill-descent feature.


The LR3 is better behaved on roads than the Discovery and has an antiskid/traction control system.


A new driver-controlled Terrain Response system changes suspension and powertrain electronic calibrations to suit general driving, various on- and off-road slippery conditions, mud and ruts, sand -- and "rock crawl" during low-speed off-pavement driving. Optional adaptive headlights swivel with the direction of travel to illuminate the road.


While a bit heavy, the power steering is quick. Handling is decent in town and on interstates -- although quick lane changes and snaking through curves brings out some body sway. After all, this is a tall (74.1-inch-high) sport-utility. The smaller, sportier, 67.5-inch-high BMW X5 has better on-road handling, but can't match the LR3's roominess.


Replacing the Discovery's outdated solid axles and metal springs is an all-independent air suspension, which works with big wheels and tires. It provides the LR3 with a good ride over bumpy roads and helps keep things serene during off-road driving. Braking with the anti-lock, all-disc system is reassuring; the pedal is a little soft, but has a nice linear action.


It's doubtful that many Chicago area drivers will use the LR3 for rough off-roading. Not with base prices range from $44,320 for the base SE model to $49,320 for the top-line HSE.


The LR3 has crisper styling than the Discovery and looks modern, but it isn't especially distinctive despite its split-level roofline. That roofline helps allow "stadium seating" -- each seat row sits higher than the row before it to give occupants a good view out the windshield.


There's a functional front-fender side vent on one side of the LR3, but no vent is on the opposite fender. That seems odd. But, in keeping with its no-nonsense heritage, Land Rover says only one vent is needed and that "bringing symmetry to the design" with a second vent is unnecessary.


Land Rover said the LR3's "clean, simple, minimalist shape ensures a fresh look for many years." Some Americans might want more styling pizzazz, but the LR3 is very clean-sided, as was the original 1948 Land Rover.


The LR3 takes good care of occupants. Big, easily gripped door handles make it easy to get in the quiet, upscale interior, which lets occupants sit high and gaze out of tall windows. Gauge numbers should be larger, but the steering column is adjustable and sound system and climate controls are large. The driver has easily worked power window and seat controls, and inside door handles are fairly large. There are plenty of beverage holders and storage areas, and rear windows lower all the way.


A glass liftgate and drop-down tailgate replace the Discovery's awkward swing-out cargo door. The spare tire now is under the trunk and thus no longer is attached to the outside rear end.


Land Rover has high hopes for the LR3. It's much more of a mainstream sport-utility than the Discovery, but retains snob appeal.

2005 LAND ROVER LR3

Prices
$44,320-$49,320

Likes
Roomy. Powerful. Off-road ability. Designed for American tastes. Snob appeal.

Dislikes
Fuel thirsty. Small gauge numbers. Not as sporty as BMW X5. The LR3 is ruggedly built and equipped for serious off-roading, although few Chicago area drivers will ever take it there.