The LR3 is engineered with deference to the Land Rover tradition of broad capability and gifted reconciliation of opposing engineering requirements. It is intended to supply comfort, safety, and secure driving capability on any kind of road, paved or otherwise, in any kind of weather.

After driving the LR3 on busy freeways, down winding country roads and over flooded forest trails, we found Land Rover succeeded in its goals. The LR3 has a spacious, airy cabin with comfortable seats and intuitive controls. Underway, it feels composed and secure, with little noise and vibration transmitted into the cabin. It can seat up to seven passengers with the optional third row, and the seats fold flat into the floor individually, making this a versatile utility vehicle.

Its new 4.4-liter V8, a modified Jaguar engine, develops 300 horsepower and delivers strong throttle response. It's paired with a six-speed automatic, smoother and more responsive than a traditional four-speed. The brakes are excellent, but most interesting is the Terrain Response system: By twisting a knob to Snow, Sand, Mud and Ruts, or any one five different settings that cover every imaginable type of driving condition, you can optimize the settings for the LR3's mind-boggling array of electronic controls and traction aids. In short, the LR3 can go just about anywhere on the planet. And it does it in style.

The LR3 replaces the Discovery. It actually continues to carry the Discovery name in other parts of the world; Land Rover says the alphanumeric nomenclature was used in the U.S. so the company could better focus its marketing efforts on the Land Rover brand name. No matter what you call it, this vehicle is a huge improvement over the Discovery Series II. The LR3 is the first vehicle totally developed by Land Rover following its purchase by Ford Motor Company in 2000 and a $1.4 billion overhaul of the Solihull manufacturing facility in the UK.