The 2005 Land Rover LR3 just goes to prove – a dollar doesn’t go very far these days. And, apparently, neither do more than 50,000 of ‘em. With horsepower and torque ratings in the 300 range, you’d expect this boxy ‘ute to move with authority. That is, until you consider the nearly three tons the 4.4-liter V8 is charged with motivating. No wonder we only got 14.1 mpg during a week of driving. Matching the lack of efficiency was the LR3’s dearth of luxury appeal. Aside from the Land Rover badging, leather seats, and upscale features, nothing about this Rover suggested it was the cream of the crop. The handling was typical of most old-school SUVs, the numerous ill-fitting plastic interior bits loud, and as mentioned by Wardlaw, the electronics could be bloody well fussy. If dealing with these issues is what it’s like to be a luxury SUV owner, I’ll gladly remain po’. Unfortunately for Land Rover, not all luxury SUV owners choose to saddle themselves with such distractions, opting instead for vehicles like the Lexus GX 470, Porsche Cayenne, or maybe the Lincoln Navigator. Shoppers interested in a capable four-wheel-drive SUV with a touch of luxury may find themselves better suited with a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited or a Toyota Land Cruiser. To varying degrees, each of these competitors matches or beats the 2005 LR3 in terms of quality, prestige, and utility. Some even come close when comparing off-road ability, a factor that is realistically of little value to the majority of owners, though there are those few who push their SUVs to the limits.

Owning the most capable four-wheel-drive vehicle in a segment is important to any off-road enthusiast, but as most mud lovers and rock crawlers know, that ride needs to be equally capable and enjoyable for where ninety percent of owners spend ninety percent of their time – on paved roads. That’s especially true when you’re shopping the luxury market. Sadly, that’s the one hill our $52,245 LR3 just couldn’t climb. – Thom Blackett

Photos courtesy of Land Rover