2006 Hummer H3 Luxury inline 5 from North America

Summary:

Great off road abilities, good looks

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the truck so far.

General Comments:

First off, the environmental extremists are never going to accept this car. They seem to focus hatred at the Hummer line, like I have never seen for another vehicle nameplate. They mostly seem to believe the H1, H2, and H3 are the same truck. All with bad gas mileage and major pollutants. Compared with their hybrids that might be true. Compared with other SUV's in this category, the H3 Hummer is no worse in pollution or mileage.

There are major differences in the Hummer models, but all are extremely capable off the road. I live in Utah and have been off the road in the Rocky Mountains and the deserts of Moab often. I go camping with other four wheel enthusiasts and have experience with many types of 4 wheel drive vehicles (former Jeep owner). My Hummer regularly outperforms my Jeep companions. They hate it when this occurs because they have their pride also. If your going to drive a Hummer, be prepared for the haters.

You will also get the "it's not a real Hummer" comment occasionally. True it's not an H1. It is an H3, which is to say, an outstanding 4 wheel drive, capable of driving everyday with all of your gear and family. It maybe doesn't have 16 inches of ground clearance and the approach, departure and break-over angles of the H1, but this vehicle doesn't cost over $140,000.00 either. To those that say it's not a real Hummer, (I've seen what you guys drive, I'm not impressed). Unless you drive a Rubicon, you probably don't have a 4:1 transfer case and stock lockers. If you do drive a Rubicon, you probably can't seat five adults with all their gear and still make one trip.

If you built your own 37 inch tire, rock climbing monster, please remember this review is for comparison of a stock SUV. The base price for this vehicle is $29,000.00. I've seen off road vehicles with that much spent on suspension alone.

This vehicle is not for everyone, obviously. I don't want the truck that is. I am an former eight year Marine Corps NCO. This truck is not fast, but it's not slow either. The truck has plenty of power for daily driving and fantastic torque for climbing. I have driven Hummvees and they are slow. They are also great vehicles (try adding tons of armor plate to a stock wrangler and see how well it performs). The military replaced the Jeep for a good reason, the Hummer is better (it's been decades already, deal with it Jeep dude).

I believe my experience with other four wheel drive vehicles lead me right where I want to be. I couldn't be happier with this truck. You go drive what you like, I won't complain about your choices.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th December, 2005

27th Dec 2005, 10:21

What a well written review with good points. The H3 is well suited for what you are using it for. And I agree, I have never seen so much hate for any other SUV. The H3 is similar to a Trailblazer or Explorer for mpg, but much more capable off road. And Jeeps get worse mpg when you consider what they can carry. Maybe people should consider the mpg per person ratio sometimes. My 12 passenger van only get 15 mpg, but that is still better than taking 2 or more cars when we load it up.

Hope you have good luck with your 5 cylinder motor. I don't trust them yet.

Also, I wouldn't by any Hummer for where I live in Massachusetts, I drive a Trailblazer. But if I lived in Vermont I would consider it, especially if the H3 had the I6.

2006 Hummer H3 from North America

Summary:

Perfect on gas

Faults:

Cd changer failed.

General Comments:

The Hummer H3 rides very very smooth. Its much better than the H2.I went from Maryland to Canada, and put gas in the tank one time going there.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th November, 2005

29th Nov 2005, 17:58

You must own your own oil company to consider this thing good on gas.

29th Nov 2005, 20:12

Either that, or you were towed all the way to Canada- after breaking down just outside of Maryland.

30th Nov 2005, 03:30

"Perfect on gas"...surely this thing is a gas station's best friend...

30th Nov 2005, 08:36

Hmmm the EPA rates this at 16/20 which is optimistic if you have read the latest articles on EPA ratings or watched 20/20 lately, so unless you have a 75 gallon tank there is NO WAY you made it from Maryland to Canada on two tanks.

2006 Hummer H3 Vortech I-5 from North America

Summary:

It is what I expected a Hummer to be

Faults:

No mechanical problems at all.

General Comments:

The H3 handles and drives very well. It is a very nice and comfortable vehicle.

However, this truck is NOT a rocket. The HP is just over 200, and it needs all of it just to move the heavy chassis. I know the truck is not built for speed, but I thought it would be faster.

Don't mistake performance for power. Surprisingly, the power you need is there. I am using the truck for post Katrina clean-up and it has pulled some seriously big oak and pecan trees off of my land. I bought the truck for my wife after we returned to New Orleans and I have been using it ever since.

The truck gets a lot of approving responses from people, but there are some who do not like the way it is designed, or they say it is a woman's SUV. First of all, I bought it for my wife and second, after what we've been through and all the obstacles in our area, I am very happy to put my wife and son in something so safe and agile. We won't get stuck in this truck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th November, 2005

25th Dec 2005, 02:16

I drive an H3. I love it, it's a great truck. It is very capable off the road and in the elements of the mountain state in which I live. It carries myself and my three children snowboarding with all of our gear. It does this with no problems - during blizzards. The truck gets 20 mpg, handles very well and is reliable.