2006 Hummer H3: Baby Looks Big for Its Age

[BMWDave]

2006 Hummer H3: Baby Looks Big for Its Age

By JERRY GARRETT
Published: September 25, 2005
THE Hummer H3 is a clever optical illusion, an S.U.V. with a fun-house mirror built in. You think you are seeing a Clydesdale, but it's only a Shetland pony.

The H3 is the enfant terrible of the Hummer clan, which until now consisted of the H1, which looks ready to report to boot camp, and the H2, which is often seen clubbing, wearing dubs, in South Beach. The H3 tricks the eye into thinking that it lives as large as its siblings, but it is actually closer to the Jeep Grand Cherokee - only midsize by current standards.

The H3 is, in fact, nearly three feet shorter and four inches narrower than a Chevrolet Suburban. Of course, the post-Katrina climate, with $3-plus gasoline and a distinct shift away from guzzlers, may not be the best time to promote an S.U.V. that looms so large, in perception if not in reality. It could become a whipping boy for environmentalists based on its appearance alone.

Yet while the 4,700-pound H3 is hardly a model of fuel efficiency, it offends far less than the typical six- or eight-cylinder S.U.V. The engine, a 220-horsepower in-line 5-cylinder, won't smoke the tires, and on the highway it approaches 20 m.p.g. - on regular unleaded, no less.

The H3 also fools the wallet. While it looks expensive, at $29,500 it's a relative bargain; by comparison, the H1 (now called the H1 Alpha) costs $110,271 more.

With the H3, General Motors has actually performed a neat trick. All the factors that would appear to be weaknesses for the H3 have been turned into strengths.

Little wonder that this baby Hummer has, since it went on sale in late spring, more than doubled overall sales of G.M.'s tiny Hummer division. Other nonmilitary Hummers account for about 30,000 sales a year; G.M. had hoped the H3 would add another 30,000 in the 2006 model year. In fact, sales are averaging nearly 5,000 monthly, or a potential 60,000 a year. That is welcome news at the beleaguered company.

Why shouldn't H3 be noticed? In a bland universe of me-too S.U.V.'s, the distinctive styling oozes attitude. Susan Docherty, the former Cadillac executive who is now Hummer's general manager, said retaining the brand's styling cues - flat roof, slab sides, grimacing grille - was vital.

"Everyone recognizes a Hummer," she said. "But the H3 is for those who aspired to a Hummer in the past, but felt it was outside their price range, physically too big for them, or they didn't like the mileage. In these areas, the H3 is more acceptable."

Driving an H1, or even an H2, is like having a rolling ZIP code; it is a neighborhood on wheels. Everyone sits in a personal cubicle, isolated from fellow travelers by a center console as wide and long as a New Mexican mesa. Communicating requires shouting over the engine and road noise. Once, while driving an H1, I used my cellphone to call my daughter. She was in the back seat.

The H3's interior is far more intimate, but hardly claustrophobic. The back seat will accommodate three people, but it's much more comfortable for two, especially if they flip down the wide armrest-cum-console. Because of the boxy design, space for heads, legs and shoulders is beyond ample and closer to ludicrous.

Controls are well marked, logically placed and straightforward to use. The driver sits comfortably and is high enough to feel in command of all he surveys; still, he might wish to survey a bit more - especially when parking and making off-road maneuvers. It is hard to determine the ends of the H3, or its wheel paths, without a spotter (not included). A back-up camera (not available) would also be helpful.

Personally, I was delighted to start the engine and hear the rushing of the fans, which reminded me of the combat version, the H.M.M.W.V. M1114, that I drove recently while reporting from Baghdad. While I took the noise as a reassuring sign that I was in a true Hummer, others might find the roar less endearing.

Some have grumbled that the 3.5-liter Vortec, the only engine available, is underwhelming. But the power, or any lack thereof, was also not an issue for me. The H3 can get to 60 miles an hour, from a dead stop, in less than 9 seconds. Hummer hints that a turbocharged or supercharged engine option may be added.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and well suited to my gear-slamming Type A driving style; it also delivers a little better fuel economy than the optional four-speed automatic. (The steep price of that option, $1,695, includes a stability control system.) Also standard are responsive antilock brakes, traction control and tire pressure monitors. So is an electronically operated four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case. (You'll pay extra for the ultra-low gearing and locking differential that you'll need for hard-core off-roading.)

The H3 has enough up-and-down wheel travel to roll right over a 16-inch rock, even with the standard 32-inch tires (33's are optional). Adventure seekers can ford up to two feet of water or climb a 60-degree grade. The bigger, pricier Hummers can do a little better.

H3 borrows its architecture from the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, yet feels tougher and more capable than those midsize pickups.

One might expect the highway manners of such an off-road specialist to be loutish, but the H3 was as at home on the road as it was on the range. Steering was responsive and had a solid on-center feel, without a sense that it had too much power assist. A real plus is the tight turning radius: at 37 feet, it is comparable to a compact Chevy Cobalt's.

Most surprising, the H3 is perhaps the most satisfying to drive of all the G.M. sport utilities.

I had some gripes, though not big ones. The rear seats don't fold flush with the cargo floor, and the maximum cargo volume of 55 cubic feet is the least of any midsize S.U.V.

I also wish side curtain air bags were standard, not a $395 option.

Over all, the base H3 includes more goodies than an Oscar presenter's swag bag. A $3,125 luxury package adds heated leather seats and enough additional stuff to ensure a decadent driving experience.

I particularly liked the double-long sunroof ($800) and the tubular step rails ($695), which will be appreciated by anyone wishing to enter and exit with some decorum.

Even with all those extras, the H3 carries a sticker price of about $36,000. Finally, then, here is a Hummer that not only fits in a garage, it may also fit in your budget.

INSIDE TRACK: A cool can of Hummer Lite.

[footoflead]

:barf: I would rather spend my money on a REAL hummer (H1)

[TBR]

If they put the I6 and mated it with a 6-spd manual it could probably manage the same gas mileage as the I5 while offering much more power.

[Run Away]

I yelled "SMALL PENIS" at one the other day but it turned out to be a chick driving.

[BMWDave]

I yelled "SMALL PENIS" at one the other day but it turned out to be a chick driving.

 

[footoflead]

I yelled "SMALL PENIS" at one the other day but it turned out to be a chick driving.

     

[Tom]

I yelled "SMALL PENIS" at one the other day but it turned out to be a chick driving.

I bet you liked that, lesbian  

[Colonel Cadillac]

A girl at my school has a one :o

I don't mind 'em actually, a solid SUV; albeit a bit slow, but solid.  

[Speed_Racer]

A girl at my school has a one :o

I don't mind 'em actually, a solid SUV; albeit a bit slow, but solid.

A small penis or an H3?  B)  

They seem alright, just a bit "in your face."

[ifcar]

The H3 is very attractive IMO, but nothing about it is up to the standards of other SUVs in the $30Ks. The back seat is small, it's not luxury-car quiet or finished like many competitors, and while it handles well for a vehicle that does well off road, it can't hold a candle to a like-priced BMW X3.

Unless you're actually taking it off road, there's no point. And even if you are, a Grand Cherokee will do the same thing with more power and for less money.

[Catman]

The H3 is very attractive IMO, but nothing about it is up to the standards of other SUVs in the $30Ks. The back seat is small, it's not luxury-car quiet or finished like many competitors, and while it handles well for a vehicle that does well off road, it can't hold a candle to a like-priced BMW X3.

Unless you're actually taking it off road, there's no point. And even if you are, a Grand Cherokee will do the same thing with more power and for less money.

I'd get an Xterra before this.

[ifcar]

Right, almost forgot it, the Xterra is another similar vehicle that's both better and less expensive.  

[Tom]

The H3 is very attractive IMO, but nothing about it is up to the standards of other SUVs in the $30Ks. The back seat is small, it's not luxury-car quiet or finished like many competitors, and while it handles well for a vehicle that does well off road, it can't hold a candle to a like-priced BMW X3.

Unless you're actually taking it off road, there's no point. And even if you are, a Grand Cherokee will do the same thing with more power and for less money.

I'd get an Xterra before this.

 

[Raghavan]

A girl at my school has a one :o

I don't mind 'em actually, a solid SUV; albeit a bit slow, but solid.

A small penis or an H3?  B)  

 

[280Z Turbo]

I don't mind driving a slow vehicle if I can save gas, but if it doesn't have torque, isn't fast, and guzzles gas, then the motor was obviously a poor choice.

I'd say it's little more than a factory "kit-car".

[giant_mtb]

I saw one of these in person a few weeks ago...ugly.

[VetteZ06]

. . .and while it handles well for a vehicle that does well off road, it can't hold a candle to a like-priced BMW X3.

And, likewise, the X3 couldn't hold a candle to the H3 off-road. What's your point? Not everybody wants or needs a pseudo sports sedan in the guise of an SUV, just like not everybody needs a good off-roader.

It's a different kind of vehicle that will most likely satisfy its target audience. You're obviously not part of that audience, but then again I don't find that entirely too surprising.

I like it.    

[VetteZ06]

I yelled "SMALL PENIS" at one the other day but it turned out to be a chick driving.

How very self-righteous of you. Congratulations.

[ifcar]

Its target audience is people who want a Hummer that is more maneuverable than the H2. It certainly meets that criteria, but there are better choices for people who both do and don't want a midsize SUV with off-road capability.

[footoflead]

I yelled "SMALL PENIS" at one the other day but it turned out to be a chick driving.

How very self-righteous of you. Congratulations.

So vetteZ06...You drive a corvette right,

[VetteZ06]

A person looking at buying the H3 probably will not think the same way. I doubt they would do a head-to-head comparison of price, features, etc., in order to find out which one is a better buy. That might be the case if you're looking at Corollas and Civics, but the H3 has the kind of emotional appeal that actually counts for something in the buying process. Not sure if you catch my drift here, but it all makes sense to me.  

I've never really liked the Xterra much anyway, so I would probably buy the H3 if I was in the market.

[VetteZ06]

So vetteZ06...You drive a corvette right,

Nope.

[footoflead]

O well

[ifcar]

A person looking at buying the H3 probably will not think the same way. I doubt they would do a head-to-head comparison of price, features, etc., in order to find out which one is a better buy. That might be the case if you're looking at Corollas and Civics, but the H3 has the kind of emotional appeal that actually counts for something in the buying process. Not sure if you catch my drift here, but it all makes sense to me.  

I've never really liked the Xterra much anyway, so I would probably buy the H3 if I was in the market.

I never said that it wouldn't sell, just that it isn't a particularly impressive vehicle for the price. Selling well based primarily on emotional appeal does not make it a better car.  

[VetteZ06]

Well, I wasn't trying to imply that.

A niche vehicle like the H3 is not designed to have the most rear seat space, the best fuel economy, or the most cargo capacity. That's what mainstream vehicles are designed for because they need to appeal to a broad number of people in the very heart of the market. The H3 is designed to appeal to, like you said, people who have always wanted a Hummer, the kind of people that will definitely buy one when the opportunity arises.

That DOES mean that the H3 will trail some of its closest competition in measureable areas of utility and performance, but then again I don't believe in proclaiming one vehicle a victor over another just by examining the spec sheets. That seems very Consumer Reports-ish to me, so I judge a vehicle by how it feels to me, by how the overall package feels when put to the test.

So yes, if you're a stats sheet kind of person, then the H3 is at somewhat of a disadvantage. But judging a vehicle in that manner seems borderline useless to me, so excuse me if I don't readily believe you when you tell me that there are better choices out there. I reserve the right to make a decision for myself after experiencing both vehicles first-hand.

[ifcar]

The overall package feels like an undersized and overpriced SUV with Hummer styling to me. The Hummer image doesn't justify the vehicle's flaws to me, especially when there are similar vehicles available that don't have them.  

[ciciusss]

Well, I wasn't trying to imply that.

A niche vehicle like the H3 is not designed to have the most rear seat space, the best fuel economy, or the most cargo capacity. That's what mainstream vehicles are designed for because they need to appeal to a broad number of people in the very heart of the market. The H3 is designed to appeal to, like you said, people who have always wanted a Hummer, the kind of people that will definitely buy one when the opportunity arises.

That DOES mean that the H3 will trail some of its closest competition in measureable areas of utility and performance, but then again I don't believe in proclaiming one vehicle a victor over another just by examining the spec sheets. That seems very Consumer Reports-ish to me, so I judge a vehicle by how it feels to me, by how the overall package feels when put to the test.

So yes, if you're a stats sheet kind of person, then the H3 is at somewhat of a disadvantage. But judging a vehicle in that manner seems borderline useless to me, so excuse me if I don't readily believe you when you tell me that there are better choices out there. I reserve the right to make a decision for myself after experiencing both vehicles first-hand.

I pretty much agree with you here. Personally, for under $30,000 I think it is priced right. It does have incredible off road ability and has a comfortable ride. Plus, it has the styling, which some will either love or hate. It looks like nothing else on the road. Nothing against IFCAR, but I think he misses the point. The Hummer may not do some things as well as other SUVs, but it does them competently enough, you get the off road ability and a suv that has distinctive styling. The only thing that Hummer should have is an optional engine with more power.

[Raza]

I'm going to avoid this "car" like the plague.

[SJ_GTI]

Every professional report I have read on the H3 has put it at the top of off-roading SUV's. The only thing better off-road is the Wrangler Rubicon but its still able to offer a very comfortable on-road ride. Outside of Land-Rover (which are generally pricier) I dont think any other SUV offers the mix of an H3. Don't get me wrong I don't think the H3 is the ideal SUV for someone that really needs a minivan, but for people that want the ability to go off-road just about anywhere (and still keep their vehicle stock) the H3 is a great choice.

The Xterra you guys refer to gets marginally better fuel economy (1 MPG in city and highway). I don't think that enough to say its better in every way than an H3. That's such a rediculous statement anyway.

Oh but wait, the H3 takes 8 1/2 seconds to go 0-60/ That's just too darn slow...

[footoflead]

Every professional report I have read on the H3 has put it at the top of off-roading SUV's. The only thing better off-road is the Wrangler Rubicon but its still able to offer a very comfortable on-road ride. Outside of Land-Rover (which are generally pricier) I dont think any other SUV offers the mix of an H3. Don't get me wrong I don't think the H3 is the ideal SUV for someone that really needs a minivan, but for people that want the ability to go off-road just about anywhere (and still keep their vehicle stock) the H3 is a great choice.

The Xterra you guys refer to gets marginally better fuel economy (1 MPG in city and highway). I don't think that enough to say its better in every way than an H3. That's such a rediculous statement anyway.

Oh but wait, the H3 takes 8 1/2 seconds to go 0-60/ That's just too darn slow...

8.5...shit our old truck did that and it was the 5.7L V8 :blink: