Nothing has gone wrong with the truck so far.
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.
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.
Well stated to the reviewer, and thank you for your service to this wonderful country we are so blessed to live in!
This is the best review that I've seen of the Hummers on here. You have to give the guy some respect for using it like a 4x4, and acknowledging that it has a niche and in using it for that purpose. True, they get (a little) better mileage than my old Ramcharger. Still would like to see a stack-up between the H-2/H-3 and new Rubicon. The Rubicon is probably the better off-road vehicle for the young, single guy, but as the reviewer says, you won't take your family of 5 camping in it.
This truck, acts like a truck. If you want a smooth comfortable SUV for transporting kids and supplies, groceries and antiques, maybe this truck is not the perfect fit for you. It can do all these things, but there are plenty of other vehicles in this class (Grand Cherokee, Xterra, Four Runner, etc.) that might have more street ability (usable horsepower for highway use and smooth highway manners). Please don't start with the attacks here, the Hummer numbers (mileage, pollution, size, tax breaks, etc.) are directly comparable with all these other vehicles in this class.
The H3 can compare with these other vehicles on the road, and is capable of doing the same chores, but might lag behind in a heads up comparison (this is what you will find in most motor magazines comparison tests). By that same measure, the Hummer WILL out perform these other vehicles off the road. The trails and back country is where the Hummer shines. It's stock ability exceeds that of it's competitors. It is first and foremost a Hummer. That fact seems to be understood by GM. They have built a very successful four wheel drive vehicle here.
As a Hummer H3 owner, and the poster of this review, I am still very pleased with my truck. It manages severe snow, mud, STEEP climbs (far in excess of the published ability), rocks, and water (up past the bottom third of the doors). I have had a fantastic time off road with this truck! Yes, I have also gotten it STUCK, but where I got it stuck, would have stuck any stock 4x4 I know of (except maybe the H1).
Buy a vehicle for the way YOU live.
Status, prestige, style, and pretension are not good reasons to purchase this vehicle in my opinion. I'm not trying to judge anyone, it's just that I don't believe you would be happy with your choices after awhile. If you were in it for those reasons, you might find the short comings to be tough to deal with and there are plenty of other choices (Escalade, Navigator, Armada, Mercedes-Benz, etc.).
If you want a very capable truck for USING off road, the Hummer is difficult to beat.
As a police officer that is required to be at work (in any conditions) and a former jar-head, take it from me; there are those that talk the talk, then there are those that walk the walk (the latter is the only way to live).
I think most people's animosity toward the Hummers (all of them) comes from the fact that most people who buy them have no intention of ever driving them off road and instead end up taking up two spaces in shopping center parking lots with them and hauling the kids to soccer practice in them. If you like to drive a Hummer for what it's made for, then they are great vehicles. If you want to impress the other soccer mom's you should get a Lexus SUV. Buying a Hummer to use only on paved streets is not practical.
Your assessment conflicts with itself.
You say, "all of them" when referring to Hummer, then say they're not practical.
That is YOUR opinion, I think they are every bit as practical as a Grand Cherokee, Four Runner, Xterra, and they get better gas mileage.
The H3 is being viewed in the same light as it's sister vehicles by the critics. It is a different vehicle. You should educate yourself about the vehicle if your going to comment and you don't own one.