The 2007 Land Rover LR3 represents what true SUV luxury – and off-road capability – is really about. Replacing the Discovery, this premium mid-size 4-door SUV has all-new rugged charm on old design trademarks but uses lightweight materials such as aluminum, magnesium and Boron steel.

Land Rover took over the look of luxury during the SUV boom in the late 90s. Photo ORC

An American WWII Jeep inspired the first Land Rover design on British soil in 1947. After changing ownership hands for many years, the company now rests with Ford Motor Company. It was somewhere around the late 90s during the growth of the SUV market when the Land Rover elevated into luxury and the advertising plan began hunting out the upper crust drivers that it caters to today.

I was able to test drive a 7-passenger 2007 Land Rover LR3 V8 HSE with Permanent Four-Wheel Drive and Traction Control (4ETC) transmission. Equipped with the Luxury Package and SIRIUS Satellite radio, total vehicle cost was $56,200.

Ingenious Engineering

Under the hood of the LR3 was a 300-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 engine with 315 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The LR3 has a second engine, a 216-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 with 269 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The V8 has chain-driven double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and variable camshaft phasing (VCP) whereas the V6 has a single overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder.

The Asymmetrical Tailgate design pulls the look of the LR3 chassis together. Photo PRC

The LR3 has an Electronic Air Suspension (EAS) that helps optimize ride height by adjusting each air spring according to load distribution. The front and rear suspension is an independent, double-wishbone with long-travel air springs. The 4ETC is a two-speed electronic transfer gearbox with shift-on-the-move. It has an electronically controlled infinitely variable locking center differential and optional electronically controlled infinitely variable locking rear differential. The 6-speed ZF HP26 electronically controlled automatic transmission has a locking torque converter and CommandShift™ featuring normal, sport and manual shift modes. Finally, the LR3 has power-assisted four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with a four-channel, all-terrain Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Active Roll Mitigation (ARM). The list of impressive engineering grows when further dissecting its off-road capabilities.

The 4.4-liter V8 engine is soundless, so the cabin is very quite. Special mini-dampers are employed between the body and chassis to reduce additional road vibration and noise. Because the LR3 has a shorter wheelbase much like a Jeep product, I felt the top-heavy weight teetering when I hit the corners. The acceleration and brakes were responsive (the brakes more so). I know it was loaded with stability control, but I drove the 5,500-plus pounds with some caution because it’s just too much weight to punch forward comfortably or halt immediately given its dimensions.

The poor premium gas mileage at 14-city and 19-highway driving is a tough one to swallow.

Luxury Comes Standard
The LR3 has an undeniably attractive shape. It starts with the oversized front grill and twin-pocket headlights set off by the 74.5-inches of body height. These Adaptive Headlights are Bi-Xenon, which means they are gas-discharge lamps verse Halogen lamps and produce a brighter, whiter beam. The Asymmetrical Tailgate with its very distinctive large back window design pulls the look of the modern LR3 chassis together.

The LR3 fits seven comfortably. Photo ORC

I was immediately comfortable behind the wheel of the LR3 and spent no time adjusting the 8-way driver seat. I found the driver interior size to be of perfect proportions (40.4-in headroom, 42.4-in legroom, 59.2-in shoulder room). I also enjoyed sitting up so high in the driver’s seat, as did many of the passengers I toting along for consumer impute.

You can have your 2007 LR3 three ways: V6 SE, V8 SE, and V8 HSE. The standard amenities on the LR3 HSE are designed to give you nothing but the best. It begins with the climate control features. The LR3 has a dual-zone automatic climate control system with a pollen filter that is accessible for both the second and third row vents; a power tilt and slide front sunroof (plus fixed Alpine roofs over the second and third rows); and a center console cooler that chills up to six cans. With the Luxury Package, my vehicle also had a heated front windshield as well as heated front and second row seats. Also standard are a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and very buttery leather seats/interior. It was classy.

Steering-wheel-mounted controls include electronic cruise control and audio controls. The standard 550-watt, 13-speaker harman/kardon LOGIC 7 with 6-disc in-dash CD changer sound system had SIRIUS radio and could be controlled at all passenger depths – excellent overall sound and so convenient with the control options. The LR3 I drove had a built in GPS Satellite Navigation System with a 7-in touch screen and digital 4x4 Information Center. There was the Personal Telephone Integration System with Bluetooth® capability and the Park Distance Control (PDC) to audibly alert you to objects within close proximity when backing up.

The configurations of the third row seating/cargo space were something of an interesting origami figurine to fold together. After removing the cargo load space cover, you can separately pull out two third row seats for a couple more passengers. Although getting in and out was sort of tight, I received nods of approval from the comfort level of these third row seats.

Land Rover claims ergonomic placement of all switches and gauges, but I felt I had to reach forward too much to engage the power window switches, as did my front passenger.

Off-Road 101
The great off-road capabilities start with the excellent driver visibility over the hood and sides – great visibility is everywhere, really. And the hydraulic lift system can adjust ride height for even better views. The LR3 has a 37.2-degree approach, 29.6-degree departure and 27.9-degree break over angles. It has a minimum ground clearance of 7.3-in in standard mode and 9.5-in in off-road mode.

The LR3’s off-road capability is masterful and just about anyone who can read pictures can learn to use the four-wheel drive system. The center console dial allows you to select one of five terrain types: general, grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, sand, and rock crawl. As you turn the dial, the LR3 adjusts to the surface you’re about to drive over. Furthermore, the 4x4 Information Center reads what special 4WD system you are using.

Aside of the articulate Electronic Air Suspension (EAS), it has Terrain Response and Hill Descent Control (HDC) to help control your speed as you descend steep or slippery grades. When I engaged HDC, the vehicle automatically restrained its downhill speed in both drive and reverse. This devise is programmable for different HDC speeds.

Land Rover proudly advertises its affiliation with the Tread Lightly! organization which fully supports the cause of taking care of how you drive on public and private off-roads. This is big with the hardcore off-road community.

Beauty Has a Cost
I admit it: I was seduced by the LR3. Don’t call me an elitist. I quite literally understand vehicles are simple material items that come and go mainly due to my profession. But before you fallback on stereotyping, you need to get behind the wheel of a brand Land Rover LR3 and let it spread its magic on you. It’s an impressive vehicle in more ways than one.

This 2007 LR3 HSE V8 goes for $56,200. Photo ORC

If the LR3 had a message, it would be: “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful – and capable.”
Desiring the LR3 comes from that same part inside yourself that yearns to have the most attractive mate on your arm for the entire world to see. And this one performs as well!

The downfall of putting this kind of automobile or person on a pedestal is sooner or later they fall off and disappoint you. Land Rover has unfortunately acquired a negative reputation for reliability. In a 2006 Consumer Reports studies, the LR3 is noted as the highest-rating car for the company – but that’s not saying much in the larger scheme of things. Let’s just say your new girlfriend has a bit of a history to live down.

But in some ways that’s like holding a grudge against your future spouse because it’s sister dumped your best friend. Sure, you’ve got to watch your back (or the warranty). But it doesn’t make sense to hate luxury for being luxury. A more accurate, insurance-driven question to ask yourself might be if you can afford to allow a mate like the LR3 to keep house, or garage.