Due to foul weather that closed many of our usual off-roading areas, we drove the 2005 Land Rover LR3 primarily on the city streets and clogged freeways of southern California with a side jaunt to play in the mud near the ski-country town of Wrightwood in the Angeles National Forest. In other words, we drove it like most of its owners will.

Our LR3’s 4.4-liter V8 engine was much more powerful than the creaky old motor in the defunct Discovery, making the LR3 feel like it could at least get out of its own way. But dipping into that newfound performance comes at a price; we averaged just 14.1 mpg during our week behind the wheel. We also noticed that when cold, the engine hesitated and responded sluggishly to throttle input – like the motor was choking. The six-speed automatic transmission doesn’t work terribly well with the engine, either. Downshifts and upshifts are occasionally poorly timed; sometimes the throttle provides quick off-the-line acceleration and sometimes barely any additional forward velocity is added. Come to a quick stop, and the transmission doesn’t drop into first gear fast enough, resulting in an unexpected lurch upon acceleration. There’s definitely room for improvement here. Or you can use CommandShift to select your own gears.

Braking was a Discovery weak spot, and again, the LR3 proves much better than before but not up to class standards. The brake pedal lacks feel and modulation during fast or panic stops, making it hard to engage full braking power despite the standard brake assist technology. Plus, the LR3 lurches about when the brakes are stabbed, and mid-turn braking results in significant weight shift.

When it comes to handling, compared to the Discovery, the LR3 is a Ferrari. Surefooted on all types of road surfaces, the LR3’s body leans in tighter turns, but thanks to Active Roll Mitigation (ARM) technology that helps to right the SUV under such conditions, it’s not like you’re sliding around on a balance ball like in the old Discovery. While mud-bogging the LR3 performed extraordinarily well. Except when caught in a rut, the LR3 behaved as though the trails we took were paved surfaces. With terrain response, air suspension, low-range 4WD, hill descent control, and the other electronics on board, it’s hard to imagine the average Joe getting stuck – but the LR3 inspires such confidence that’s it’s easy to see how an inexperienced four wheeler might wind up in over his head. Steering is quicker than the Discovery and, on the highway, exhibits a syrupy leaden feel common to a Jaguar. Mid-corner bumps and bad pavement are pounded into submission by the LR3’s stout suspension and 255/55R19 Goodyear Wrangler All-Weather tires.

Despite the LR3’s credentials as a capable off-roader, the ride quality is quite good. You’re aware that heavy-duty underpinnings are carrying you down the road, but the end result is more like a sport sedan than a rough-and-tumble truck. Undulating pavement can induce some body porpoising, but the LR3 never suffered side-stepping over broken pavement and took even the most severe bumps and dips in stride.

Like the ride quality, visibility is excellent, except the over-the-shoulder view to the right, which is blocked by giant rear headrests. The rear center headrest also impedes the rearward view, but the optional park assist system makes parallel parking and reversing easier, and the view over the square hood is expansive, making it simple to place the vehicle when off-roading.

Off-road, the 2005 Land Rover LR3 is definitely fun to drive. Clearly, this is where the LR3 shines brightest. On pavement, the LR3 is a novelty. You sit high behind expansive glass feeling like you could take on anything, but as a daily driver this truck gets tiring to drive. It’s not lithe, though the turning circle is impressive. The steering, brakes, and suspension are ultimately compromised by their dual missions, and the transmission simply doesn’t work well.