H3 vs. LR3 V6

[JeffW]

Anyone cross-shop LR3 V6 with H3? Both are similar size, have similar performance, and have similar offroad capability. The LR3 is only ~$6k over a base H3 Adventure with auto, but has some compelling advantages.

LR3 Advantages:
- Large windows, great visibility.
- Leather steering wheel
- Flat folding cargo area with 90 cu ft., as opposed ot 55
- 134 ft. stopping distance, as opposed to 149 ft. (even with 1000 extra lbs.)
- Much more storage places and bottle holders.
- Road manners (thanks to low profile tires and adjustable suspension).
- Smooth 6 sp. transmission, with sport mode and command shift.
- More visible turn signals (faster and yellow, safety issue).
- Bluetooth phone integration
- Speed sensitive steering
- Dual zone climate control
- No fake adornments, like hood vent or tire inflation (although that can be fixed on H3).
- Low key (I don’t like attention).

H3 Advantages:
- I think I prefer the cloth seats to the LR3 Duragrain material (fake leather).
- Slightly better turning circle of 37’ vs. 39’ ft. (both are better than what I’m used to, though).
- Reliability. Although the H3 is no Toyota, the LR3 has so much more stuff that can go wrong, and judging by the volume complaints in the LR3 forums, it does.
- Fog lamps (gotta move up to the V8 LR3 SE to get those).
- Non-adaptive transmission (adaptive = unpredictable, and never in the right style when you want it).
- Satellite radio and MP3 CD support.
- Regular gas (same mileage as LR3, but ~$450 cheaper per year).

LR3 seems to have an edge in the technical analysis, but something keeps drawing me back to the H3… an unquantifiable fun-to-drive factor, I guess. Anyone else feel that way?

Curious what others think about the H3 steering on the highway? Does it feel too light? How did you find the seat comfort of the H3 compared with the LR3?

My biggest concern is throttle response. I currently have an Audi Allroad, which I love in every way except that it takes off like a rocket… about 3 seconds after I press the gas. My wife’s Mazda3 is so much more fun to drive because it responds instantly, even though it’s only 148 hp. I don’t need rocket-like acceleration in my truck, but I do need responsiveness. Both seemed fairly responsive on my test drives, but I don’t think I drove enough to really tell. Some folks in the LR3 forums are complaining about this same kind of unresponsiveness. Has anyone noticed this with the H3, or does it always go when you press the gas, even on rolling stops?

Thanks,
-Jeff