Buyers looking to the 2008 Land Rover LR3 as a fashion statement should consider the Jeep Commander, which also has tall, boxy styling and serious off-road ability.
However, the Jeep doesn't have the LR3's breadth of luxury equipment or its well-laid-out, space-efficient interior design.
Then there are several large European SUVs in a similar, if not slightly pricier range.
The Audi Q7 has some measure of off-road ability, though it's configured more for good on-road performance.
However, it's very heavy, and its fuel economy is almost as low as the LR3's.
The Porsche Cayenne is a bit lighter and more road-oriented, matching a sporty exterior to a more basic interior design that parallels those in Porsche sportscars, but it's not nearly as roomy inside.
The Mercedes M-Class offers an especially intriguing alternative for those who are conscious about gas-guzzling: the diesel ML320 CDI, which gets 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway.
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 2008 Land Rover LR3Browse Used Listings |  2009 Porsche CayenneBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Audi Q7Browse Used Listings |  2008 Jeep CommanderBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Mercedes-Benz M ClassBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2008 Land Rover LR3 is hard to justify for fashion alone, but if you're living an off-road lifestyle, it's one of the best. |
The 2009 Porsche Cayenne isn’t as practical as other SUVs its size, but it handles like a Porsche. |
The 2008 Audi Q7 puts a sport-ute premium on its beautifully made interior, seven-passenger seating, and sedanlike acceleration. |
The 2008 Jeep Commander is good Jeep (a trail-capable vehicle), but it's not a great people mover. |
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is an appealing SUV with good road manners and a lofty price tag. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $48,525 | $44,600 | $42,500 | $28,330 | $44,000 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 12 MPG City / 17 MPG Hwy | 11 MPG City / 20 MPG Hwy | 12 MPG City / 19 MPG Hwy | 13 MPG City / 19 MPG Hwy | 11 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Gas V8 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas V6 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle | 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicles | 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4WD 4-Door SE | AWD 4-Door Manual | quattro 4-Door 3.6L | RWD 4-Door Sport | 4MATIC 4-Door 3.5L |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| 4-Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| 4 Door | 4 Door SUV | 4 Door SUV | 4 Door | 4 Door |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2008 Land Rover LR3 vs. 2009 Porsche Cayenne | 2008 Land Rover LR3 vs. 2008 Audi Q7 | 2008 Land Rover LR3 vs. 2008 Jeep Commander | 2008 Land Rover LR3 vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz M Class | |
