2005 Land Rover LR3 HSE Long-Term Update

Fresh from our 2005 Sport/Utility of the Year competition comes the winner, the Land Rover LR3. This model replaces the Discovery, which endured a less-than-stellar reputation in the U.S. in reliability and resale value. We ordered a top-of-the-line HSE ($49,995), along with the Cold Climate Package for $1050, which includes a heated front windshield, heated front- and second-row seats--even heated washer jets. The Heavy Duty package includes active locking rear differential and full-size spare tire/alloy wheel ($625). And the Rear Seat package (another $1250) adds second-row fold-flat seating (35/30/35 split), third-row fold-flat seating, and third-row side-curtain airbags. The HSE model offers a navigation system that drops electronic breadcrumbs to help you find your way out of the rough. Finally, we popped for the $950 Rear Climate Control package. Our Zambezi Silver LR3 (with matching Alpaca Leather) came to a total of $53,870. It earned the trophy, but now comes the real test: one year of hard labor.

From The Logbook

"The LR3 takes the on-road/off-road compromise to a whole new level."
-Angus MacKenzie