Our long-term LR3 proved that Land Rover's Discovery replacement has the goods to make quick work of almost any driving challenge--and it's built to stand up to the rolling odometer, too. We hated to see our silver superstar leave us. True, the LR3 is expensive to buy and costly to feed, but few other vehicles on the road today are so everlastingly at ease, whether the attire is climbing boots or black tie.
| Our Car |
| Base price | $49,995 |
| Cold Climate Package | $1050 |
| Heavy-Duty Package | $625 |
| Rear Climate Control | $950 |
| Rear Seat Package | $1250 |
| MSRP, as tested | $53,870 |
| Total mileage | 22,905 |
| Avg fuel economy | 13.6 mpg |
| Problem areas | Fuel-tank replacement, nav-screen software replacement, erratic A/C, and low-coolant light (all under warranty) |
| Maintenance cost | $7 (1 qt oil) |
| Normal-wear cost | $613.69 (f/r brake-pad replacement) |
| Current value, wholesale/retail* | $39,245/$50,100 |
| Recalls *source: intellichoice.com | Fuel system; ignition switch |
From the logbook
"The clever interior details are class-leading, but I'm still nonplussed by the center stack--too boxy and cluttered. Huge raves for second- and third-row flexibility, and rear visibility is wonderful."
- Mark Williams
"A pleasurable vehicle to bounce around town in, yet it holds its own when the road gets curvy. Everywhere it goes, it's comfortable for all of its occupants (this might be the best third-row seat ever built). There's an enormous amount of cargo space. And the nav has topographic lines--cool!"
-Brian Vance