Cue Elmer Bernstein's theme from "The Magnificent Seven." Motor Trend's 2005 Sport/Utility of the Year, the Land Rover LR3, swaggered into town along with six others seeking the title: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford Freestyle, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Intiniti QX56, and Nissan Pathfinder. Some are Yul Brynner or Charles Bronson types (the LR3 is Steve McQueen, of course), while the Freestyle and Equinox are like Robert Vaughn and Brad Dexter: gunslingers for sure, but too dapper or too boyish to hang with the tough guys.
Evaluation began with the usual MT track tests, then thorough examinations of each model atop the Petersen Automotive Museum garage. On-road driving, the fun part, commenced the next morning. With just seven entries, we doubled up in a "drive, ride, swap" drill. Heavy floods…