The Land Rover LR3 is a seven-passenger luxury SUV with great off-road capabilities. It is available in two trim levels with one standard engine and transmission for each level. The LR3 comes standard with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system in both trim levels.
Starting at a base price of $48,525 the 2008 Land Rover LR3 is slightly higher than competitors in this class but may not be able to support the high price when it comes to interior quality and overall reliability. But if off-road trails, rock climbing adventures and dirt roads are what you are looking for, the Land Rover LR3 can take you there very comfortably.
Land Rover LR3 Trim Levels
The two trim levels offered are the SE and HSE. Both trims come standard with four-wheel-drive and seven-passenger seating. The SE comes with leather upholstery, three row seating, eight-way power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, 18-inch wheels, power tilt-and-slide front sunroof, fixed rear sunroof, tilt steering wheel and nine-speaker stereo with in-dash CD changer and auxiliary audio jack. With the SE there are the options of bi-xenon headlights, front parking sensors, Bluetooth, center console cooler box, DVD-based navigation system with mapping for on- and off-road and voice-activated trip computer.
The HSE comes standard with all of those options and also includes a 14 speaker Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system, 19-inch wheels and a power-tilt steering wheel. The HSE also has an option of adding the Luxury package with includes higher-grade leather upholstery, adaptive headlights and the contents of the Cold Climate package. The Cold Climate package is available on both trim levels and offers front and rear heated seats, a heated windshield and heated windshield washer jets. Other options available for both trim levels are satellite radio and the Heavy Duty package which includes a locking rear differential and full-size spare tire.
Cargo space in the LR3 is impressive with 90 cubic feet available when the third row seat is folded down.
Land Rover LR3 Safety
Traction control, antilock brakes, stability control with rollover mitigation technology, three-row head curtain airbags, front seat side airbags, rear bumper sensors and hill-descent control come standard on both models of the 2008 Land Rover LR3. The HSE comes standard with front bumper sensors and adaptive headlights that “look” around corners are optional.
Land Rover LR3 Performance
The only engine available for the 2008 Land Rover LR3 is the 4.4 liter V8 which puts out 300 horsepower, 315 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. By using a rotary knob inside the vehicle the driver can choose general driving, snow, grass or gravel terrain, mud and ruts, sand or rock crawl. This optimizes the SUV to work accordingly for these different terrains.
The LR3, when properly equipped, can tow up to 7,700 pounds. Fully independent suspension (utilizing the electronically controlled air springs to automatically adapt to any off-road obstacles) helps the ride quality to be quite nice. Stadium seating throughout the SUV gives the driver and passengers a great view of the road and path ahead. Views out of the windows are very generous, offering ample viewing area.
The 2009 Land Rover LR3 is a carryover from 2008. The 2009 LR3 is sold in V8 SE and V8 HSE trim levels. Both are motivated by a 4.4 liter V8 engine that cranks out 300 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels through a full-time four-wheel drive system. Fuel economy for the SUV comes in at 12 miles per gallon in the city and 17 miles per gallon on the highway.
