The Land Rover LR3 looks stylish and functional. It looks at home on the African savannah, on rural roads around the country, and in upscale suburbia. The current model was re-named LR3 in the United States when it was redesigned for 2005 to better promote the Land Rover brand, but it's still called the Discovery around the world. Function drove much of the distinctive styling of the LR3.

The distinctive stepped roof line, a recognized brand element preserved from the previous-generation Discovery, creates headroom for rear-seat passengers while compensating for the high floor required to clear the center differential and to give the LR3 sufficient ground clearance in rugged terrain.

The asymmetric tailgate operates as an easy-open clamshell for the top half and a standard tailgate for the bottom half. The result is exceptional ease of access, and reduced load lift height, while preserving a sheltered fold-out tailgate surface for true tailgating at a campsite or stadium parking lot.

The air intake on the right of the engine bay can only be seen on one side because that was all that was needed. Land Rover did not add a phony intake on the other side merely add symmetry to the design. We like that.

The alpine windows along the rearward sides of the roof are not as noticeable as they were on the previous Discovery, but they're there, letting more light into the cabin and giving back-seat passengers a view of the Sequoias, mountains, or canyon walls towering above.

The LR3 is considerably larger than the previous Discovery. The 113.6-inch wheelbase is as long as that of a Ford Explorer, which provides room for three-row seating and better highway stability, particularly when towing.

The LR3 is built with what Land Rover calls integrated body-frame architecture, which combines hydroformed steel frame rails with a rigid monocoque body shell. Rubber mounts and dampers between the frame and body provide isolation from noise, vibration and harshness. Premium materials such as aluminum, magnesium, and high-tensile-strength alloy steel are used in key areas to save weight. Outer steel body panels are two-side galvanized to prevent corrosion. The two-piece tailgate is aluminum for ease of opening and closing. This approach accounts for much of the LR3's relatively light weight, crisp handling, and solid feel.

Interior Features

The Land Rover LR3 is a comfortable vehicle. The driver and front passenger get power-adjustable seats with adjustable armrests, and the second-row seats have generous headroom and legroom. Even the third-row seats can be considered habitable for adults.

The large windows, long wheelbase, and fixed overhead Alpine windows create a spacious, airy interior. The low beltline, with window sills well below shoulder level, not only helps lower the center of gravity, but also improves forward and downward vision, an important advantage when driving through rugged terrain or traversing narrow tracks, especially those with exposures to seemingly bottomless ravines.

The instrument panel is clean, modern, and in keeping with the geometric exterior design. Controls are good sized, tactile, and significantly more intuitively arrayed than Land Rovers of the past, though they still take some getting used to.

LR3's interior design gives up nothing to other SUVs in practical flexibility. The second-row seats fold down into the footwell, leaving a perfectly flat surface. Many SUVs do not offer the benefit of flat cargo areas. The third-row seats fold flat, creating a six-foot load floor. Each rear seat folds independently, leaving numerous options for seating and cargo.

Cubby storage is good. As with every previous Land Rover, practicality in the outback is reflected in functional interior appointments. For the variety of stuff carried on a camping trip, there are four glove boxes, readily accessible stash zones and numerous drink holders. Flip-down grab handles are located at all four doors, and comfortable, solid grab points built into the front-seat headrests give occupants something to hold on to when the driver is exploring the LR3's impressive tilt, climb, and descent limits.

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