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TheCarConnection.com looked to several of the most respected sources when compiling this comprehensive review of the 2009 Land Rover LR3. Additionally, for this Bottom Line, TheCarConnection.com's editors include their own firsthand driving experience and knowledge of the luxury SUV segment to bring you an especially insightful take.
Likes:
- True rock-clambering off-road ability
- Great front seats and driving position
- Good seating for seven
- Fashionably different instrument panel
Dislikes:
- Poor fuel economy
- Soft handling
- User-unfriendly center-stack controls
- High cargo loading, tough third-row access
- Spotty reliability
The 2009 Land Rover LR3 returns for the new model year significantly cheaper than last year's model. The SE and HSE models of previous years have been replaced with a base model, plus HSE and HSE LUX editions.
The Land Rover LR3 is powered by a 300-horsepower, 4.4-liter V-8 and exhibits gutsy acceleration with the requisite six-speed automatic transmission. A four-corner, independent, height-adjustable air suspension and Land Rover's exclusive Terrain Response system (with separate modes commanding the behavior of an armory of electronics for several different driving conditions, such as "mud and ruts" or "sand and dunes") help bring impressive off-road ability to the 2009 Land Rover LR3 without sacrificing on-road handling. A central-locking differential engages when conditions warrant maximum grip.
Those who plan to use the 2009 Land Rover LR3 for daily driving might be interested to know that it carries low fuel economy ratings of 12 mpg city, 17 highway. Real-world driving will run toward the lower end of that scale. The LR3 isn't as responsive on the road as carlike crossovers; the driving position is very tall, and it feels at first as if the LR3 is going to be tipsy in corners, but it maintains impressive composure in on-road cornering and on rough road surfaces better than most truck-based SUVs. That’s thanks to an independent double-wishbone suspension with height-adjustable rear air springs and the LR3’s range of electronic aids.
