2009 LR3’s Dual Nature Leaves Mom Unsatisfied

2009 Land Rover LR3

model as tested $55,575

Test Drove 3/5/09 – 3/12/09
reviewed by Sara Lacey

Editor’s note: Please read this review with an English accent.

Land Rovers are strange animals;  when not in their native environment, they don’t always thrive. The 2009 Land Rover LR3 is a case in point. While I have no doubt the LR3 shines in the British countryside or African savanna, it didn’t work quite as well in an American suburb. The LR3 is tall, thin and luxuriously appointed, but it lacks some of the typical kid-hauling SUV amenities of its competitors. It’ll go on safari in the African savanna with aplomb, but it suffers in the U.S. drive-through confines.

No matter the environs, the LR3 is beautiful-looking and refined, with plenty of luxurious elements, including wide leather seats. But I struggled to get the optional third-row seats stored away — working up a sweat isn’t refined. This difficulty as well as some other problems I had in the interior left me confused by the LR3.

One thing I’m not confused about is the LR3’s power. It has an impressive V-8 engine that guzzles gas; it gets an EPA-estimated 12/17 mpg city/highway. Talk about conspicuous consumption — that gas mileage is downright shameful. The LR3 is fun to drive under the right conditions. It handles well on the highway, but it felt top-heavy when turning, even at low speeds.

The LR3 is a real standout on the road; even in Colorado’s suburbia, I haven’t seen many of them around.

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