2008 Land Rover LR3 Review

The 2008 Land Rover LR3 has enough room for almost anyone and everything you want to put in it, but some awkward mechanisms and access bottlenecks drop its overall rating for comfort and quality.

ConsumerGuide reports that the 2008 Land Rover LR3 "is the only Land Rover with seven-passenger seating" and that it "offers a commanding driving position with comfortable and upright seats." They also note "second and 3rd-row seats are unusually comfortable, with ample headroom and legroom"; however, while "three adults fit in the 2nd row...we wouldn't recommend it on long drives." This source adds, "climbing to the 3rd row is complicated by the tall step-in and a narrow pass-through."

According to Cars.com, "Three-row seating is standard for all 2008 [Land Rover] LR3s; leather seating surfaces for the first and second rows, eight-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats...are also standard." This source adds the "seats are comfortable and supportive despite firm cushioning." While "many of the bewildering controls may seldom be used...the suspension's access setting helps ease entry and exit." Kelley Blue Book warns that "although the third row offers decent room, the seating mechanisms aren't as slick and easy to operate as we've experienced in the competition."

There is no shortage of storage and cargo space aboard the Land Rover LR3, however, which the reviewers at Mother Proof declare is "to-die-for," noting that they "shoved so much into the back of this car, and it swallowed everything and even seemed to want more." They add, "there are also two glove compartments and mucho cupholders." Edmunds notes, "in terms of everyday usability, the LR3 shines, with fold-flat second- and third-row seats, and a vast cargo space with a maximum of 90 available cubic feet." ConsumerGuide, however, had mixed reactions on storage and cargo issues: "some testers say it complicates loading and unloading, while others praise its versatility" and that "the glovebox is difficult to open if the passenger seat is occupied."

ConsumerGuide also notes that "interior materials are of high quality," but the Land Rover LR3's "gauges have small print that makes them difficult to read at a glance...The controls are a somewhat confusing jumble of switches, knobs, and buttons, [and] radio, navigation, and climate systems are hard to decipher." Edmunds admires the "comfortable and well-appointed interior...[but] testing experiences have shown that build quality isn't universally solid." ConsumerGuide reports that as far as extraneous sound levels aboard the Land Rover LR3 are concerned, "some highway-speed wind noise is the only demerit of note."