Sometimes life just forces you to stop and enjoy the simple things, such as a beautiful California sunset that bathes palm trees, surfers, and one of the most famous stretches of sand in its warm, golden glow. Even if it turns one of Surf City USA’s busiest intersections into the least convincing Land Rover advertisement of the year.

It was here, half a block from Huntington Beach’s crowded main drag on a Friday night, where our mud-splattered 2005 Land Rover LR3 lurched and bucked to an unscheduled stop. For at least two miles, the LR3 had exhibited the classic symptoms of a vehicle about to run out of gas. But the fuel gauge read full, the trip computer assured us we had hundreds of miles to go until empty, and the low-fuel warning light remained dark. Yet the LR3 sputtered and stalled, surged and slowed as the fuel injection system’s thirst for life-giving liquid went unquenched. Sitting mystified behind the wheel, I couldn’t guess what might be wrong with the LR3. Clearly, however, the SUV wasn’t going to make it to the next filling station.

After several frustrating minutes spent looking for a roadside assistance number (why the heck isn’t it printed on the inside cover or placed on a discreet sticker on the windows?), it took a call to a colleague, and a 90 minute wait for a kid driving an old beat-up Volvo station wagon to arrive with a couple of gallons of unleaded. That solved the problem, and got us five blocks to a gas station, where the truck sucked up more than $50 of premium fuel.

While this particular example of Land Rover’s new SUV is reminiscent of the old Discovery in more ways than just a bad fuel gauge, the LR3 is a huge improvement over the Disco in terms of drivability and design. With its more powerful V8 engine, better brakes, significantly improved handling, and high-tech traction control systems, combined with no loss of off-roading capability in an effort to soften it for the mass market, the LR3 is a success. Combine this newfound on-pavement prowess with its endlessly useful interior design, impressive utility, and outstanding occupant comfort levels, and it’s easy to see why luxury SUV buyers might be inclined to select the LR3.

Initially, Land Rover offered the new 2005 LR3 only with a V8 engine in SE and HSE trim, but in the middle of the year the British SUV builder added a lower-priced V6 version with significantly less power but virtually no difference in EPA fuel economy numbers.

Standard equipment on the 2005 Land Rover LR3 SE V6, which starts at $38,950 including a $665 destination fee, includes a permanent four-wheel-drive system and an automatic transmission with manual shift control. An electronic air suspension with Terrain Response traction control; all-terrain Dynamic Stability Control (DSC); four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and cornering brake control; Hill Descent Control (HDC) to manage off-roading speeds; and Active Roll Mitigation (ARM) to control body roll are also included in the base price.

Additional safety gear includes dual front, side, and side curtain airbags. With the optional Rear Seat Package, side-curtain airbags are added for the third-row, too. Up front, occupant sensors work with the front passenger airbag to determine whether deployment is necessary, and both front airbags feature dual-stage inflation dependent upon crash severity.

Standard equipment on the LR3 V6 includes six-way power front seats, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Other standard features include heated side mirrors, remote keyless entry, power windows, 18-inch alloy wheels, and rear privacy glass. Every 2005 LR3 V6 comes with an optional $3,000 Premium Package that includes an “SE” badge for the tailgate, leather upholstery, a power sunroof, and a 240-watt Harmon-Kardon Logic 7 audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and nine speakers. The Land Rover LR3 SE V6, priced at $41,950, is available starting in July of 2005.

For another $3,045, the Land Rover LR3 SE V8 adds plenty more power with little reduction in fuel economy, and paves the way to access options such as a DVD navigation system with special off-roading features, Bluetooth wireless communications, and bi-Xenon headlights. Options for the SE V8 include a DVD off-road navigation, a Lighting Package with bi-Xenon headlights and front fog lights, and Rear Park Distance Control.

Buyers looking for maximum luxury will want the $49,995 Land Rover LR3 HSE V8, which adds bigger wheels and tires, a 550-watt audio system with four additional speakers, off-road DVD navigation with touch screen and voice control, and a 4WD driver information center. HSE V8 models also include an eight-way power driver’s seat, a memory feature for the driver’s seat and mirrors, bi-Xenon headlights and fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, a HomeLink programmable universal transmitter, and Rear Park Distance Control with footwell and puddle lights.

Both the SE V8 and HSE V8 can be ordered with a number of option packages. The Rear Seat Package adds seven-passenger capacity and third-row side curtain airbags, while the Rear Climate Package includes rear air conditioning controls. Other packages are the Heavy Duty Package with a locking rear differential and a full-size spare tire; the Convenience Package with a fold-flat second-row seat a cargo net and an additional front cupholder; the Cold Climate Package with heated front and rear seats and a heated windshield; and the Tow Package with a Class III receiver and remote rear suspension height adjustment. Java Black Pearl paint is available on both models.

Accessories available through the dealer include features like a day tent that covers the rear hatch, a sliding load space floor, a dog guard, a cargo divider, woodgrain interior trim, and other handy gadgets.

We test drove the 2005 Land Rover LR3 HSE V8 equipped with the Convenience Package, the Tow Package, the Heavy Duty Package, and the Cold Climate Package for a total of $52,245.

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