Land Rover LR3 2007
01/01/2007
Despite appearances, the LR3 is not constructed from Lego blocks. It’s actually built using metal, glass, and plastic. But it is such a quantum leap forward from that old nag, the Discovery, that it’s hard to imagine the two were designed by the same people. The Discovery’s ancient 4.0-liter V-8 (mostly now used by cod fishermen as boat anchors) was replaced by a Jaguar-based 4.4-liter V-8 when the LR3 debuted. It produces a credible 300 hp. A 216 hp V-6 is the LR3’s base motor. But while you might not need a fast SUV, you certainly don’t want a slow one. Get the V-8. Land Rover’s Terrain Response System tailors the car’s four-wheel-drive system, throttle, and traction-control system to the surface you’re driving on (snow, sand, dry pavement, etc.) at the twist of a knob. It is the easiest way to get the most out of a complicated SUV like the LR3—even if the driver never leaves the pavement.PRICE: $53,950
ENGINE: 4.4-liter V-8
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with CommandShift
POWER: 300 hp at 5,500 rpm
TORQUE: 315 ft lbs at 4,000 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 5,426 pounds
0-60 MPH: 8.5 seconds
TOP SPEED: 120 mph
PROS: Terrain Response allows for easy tailoring of the vehicle’s
capabilities
CONS: It’s easily confused for the crate it arrived in