2005 Land Rover LR3 Preview

Helping make up the difference is Land Rover's Terrain Response system, which adds to the standard SE features list while doing its part in upping the base model's entry-level

The electronically controlled air suspension can be optimized for highway or rough terrain driving. (Photo: Land Rover)

price point, delivers some seriously sophisticated hardware to a market segment that almost never uses its vehicles off pavement. Nevertheless, it should make mom's commute back and forth from the kid's school during winter season much safer, as it will allow her to choose between multiple terrain settings for optimal performance in all weather conditions.

The electronically controlled air suspension system will also be overkill for most owners. While improving on-pavement ride quality somewhat over a conventional suspension system, the true benefits of air suspension are its ability to reduce the vehicle's center of gravity during high-speed highway driving and raise its ground clearance when scaling difficult terrain. In comparison, Volkswagen chose to offer its ride-height adjustable suspension system as optional equipment, which is one of the reasons the German brand has been able to lower the

Land Rover Canada has upped the price of the LR3 by nearly $13,000 over the old Discovery. (Photo: Land Rover)

Touareg's price of entry to a comparatively affordable $53,520 - the LR3 starts at $61,900. Add a V8 engine, limited slip rear differential and 4-wheel air suspension to the VW, all items that come standard on the LR3 and the Touareg's price rises to $67,985. Even with the Touareg's (assumed) higher quality interior, the LR3's $6,085 discount and available 7-occupant seating may be difficult for some customers to pass up.

While we're on the subject of price, at a time when most automakers are attempting to lure new buyers by offering more content for the same or less money, Land Rover Canada has upped the price of the LR3 by nearly $13,000 over the old Discovery.