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The Land Rover LR3 combines go-anywhere off-road capability with responsive on-road performance in a vehicle that is comfortable, safe, and secure. The LR3 offers the competence of the more expensive Range Rover and some of its luxurious feel. Underway, the LR3 feels stable and composed, with little noise and vibration transmitted into the cabin.

The Land Rover LR3 incorporates the latest in electronics in a system called Terrain Response, which selects the best combination of traction, power, gearing, and braking to suit any type of terrain and surface, to put serious off-road trekking within the reach of most enthusiasts. Simply twisting a knob to Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, Sand, or Rock/Crawl optimizes the settings for the LR3's mind-boggling array of electronic controls and traction aids. In short, if there’s somewhere on the planet the LR3 can’t go, you probably don’t want to go there by land vehicle, anyway.

For 2009, the Land Rover LR3 lineup is reduced to only one trim level. The HSE, previously a separate trim, is now offered as an option package, as is an even better equipped HSE Lux package. The third row seat that was turned into a standard feature for 2008 is now optional again. Bumpers and wheel arches are now painted in body-color instead of plastic black and wheels have been upgraded to 19-inch.

The LR3 has a spacious, airy cabin with comfortable seats. It can seat up to seven passengers with the optional third row, and the seats fold flat into the floor individually, making this a versatile utility vehicle.

The V8 engine is sourced from Jaguar. It has variable cam phasing, develops 300 horsepower and delivers strong throttle response with 315 pound-feet of torque on tap. It comes with a six-speed automatic.

The LR3 is a highly capable off-road vehicle. All models come with a two-speed transfer case, permanent four-wheel drive, Land Rover's Terrain Response off-road system, Hill Descent Control, automatic load-leveling rear suspension useful for towing, and an adjustable suspension with three height settings for regular driving, off-roading, and loading. A Class III hitch gives the LR3 a 7,700-pound tow rating.

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Land Rover LR3 ($46,825) comes with leather seat-upholstery; dual-zone automatic climate control with rear controls; tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering-wheel with audio controls; eight-way power adjustable front seats with driver's seat power lumbar adjuster; power sunroof; power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors; programmable key fob; 35/30/35 split folding second-row seat; 240-watt Harman/Kardon radio with nine speakers, six-disc in-dash CD changer, and auxiliary input jack; auto-dimming rearview mirror; rain-sensing, variable intermittent wipers; rear parking sensors; universal garage door opener; front and rear fog lights; and 19-inch aluminum wheels with 255/55 HR19 mud-and-snow radials.

The HSE option package ($3,250) adds a navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone link with console cradle, power steering column adjustment, front parking sensors, cold climate package, Sirius satellite radio, and voice-activated vehicle information center.

The HSE Lux Package ($6,750) includes all the items of the HSE package and adds bi-xenon headlights, a 550-watt Harman/Kardon Logic7 digital surround-sound system with 14 speakers, adaptive front lighting, a center console cooler box, Premium Leather Package, and Driver Memory Package.

Options include the Bluetooth link and Sirius satellite radio ($800). A Cold Climate package ($1,300) adds a heated windshield, heated front and second-row seats, and heated windshield washer jets; a Heavy Duty package ($750) adds a locking rear differential and a full-size spare tire. The Seven Seat Comfort Package ($1,150) adds the third-row seats and third-row side curtain airbags. A Rear Seat Entertainment Package ($2,500) includes dual geadrest-mounted video display screens, six-disc DVD changer, wired headphones, and remote control plus input jacks for video games and MP3 players.

Safety equipment standard across the line includes dual front airbags; torso-protecting front side airbags; head-protecting side curtain airbags for the first and second rows; tire-pressure monitor; and LATCH child seat anchors. Also standard are four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Cornering Brake Control, and emergency Brake Assist; Hill Descent Control; traction control; and all-terrain Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Active Roll Mitigation. Front and rear obstacle detection is standard with the HSE Package. The four-wheel drive system is also standard.