Some valid points are raised here (thanks SCSL! We like the house and it does give us a chance to justify our AWD vehicles as many days I literally would not be able to get home (or out) without them).
The LR3 feels twice as big as my D1. It is bigger and heavier but I think that is not the entire explanation. I think the post about the driving position hits some of it. There is a solidness to the experience that borders on remoteness. My wife likes it and my toddler likes the silence so that she can better watch her DVD player -- but I would rather drive my D1 even though (maybe because of?) I have to listen to the matrix in the cats rattle around at low pipe pressures and that mysterious distributor whine that maybe I'll have to do something about someday. I can feel it when my D1 is about to break adhesion on a snowpacked road, the LR3 has the computer to worry about that and is consequently solid and secure and not going to break loose -- but perhaps a little boring? But for my application, which is mainly to get home and to the ski resort -- and to have a car that my wife can drive in pretty narly conditions -- its perfect. But is it a bush wacking trail rig? No, and at its price, it won't be for a while.
The throttle response is pretty twitchy. That is part due to the engine which has plenty of oomph, but also due to the software profiles for it. Frankly, for that reason I secretly prefer to drive it in many conditions on the snow/sand/leaf setting because it restricts the throttle and potential wheel spin. It makes it a more comfortable and less lurchy drive tootling around town. But on the other hand, when you want to, it will really fly, especially in sport mode, the way my D1 will never do or feel safe doing.
It's been a perfect vehicle for me, but I have a wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs, a trailer, live on a semi-maintained mountain road in the mountains where we routinely get 4 feet of snow -- and my wife and are professionals where we are expected to have a vehicle to meet clients and such with a vehicle with some class (my old F-150 4 x 4 wouldn't be appropriate). We also bought the vehicle used with less than 7500 miles on it. So, for us it has been a great match but I sometimes wonder who else Land Rover sells these vehicles to.
My guess is for most of the LR3s I see, based on their immaculate paint and ridiculous all weather tires, I'm assuming that most are soccer moms who like the ride and space but never get to see the miracle of the expensive electronics in action.
Even using studded Nokian Hawks, I put the chains on my D1 about 6-10 times a winter to get down my drive or up my road.
I don't even own chains for the LR3 (not even sure if they're recommended). It is really that impressive if you have the need for a big vehicle with these capabilities.
