2006 Hummer H3
I had a chance to test drive my uncle's H3 and found that this is a surprisingly nimble SUV. I must admit that I was not much of a Hummer fan because I found the H1 and H2 too bulky for my taste as far as around-town driving. They're basically houses on wheels. Not so with the H3.
Pros: The aesthetics is pure testosterone. Not as boxy as the H2, the H3 actually has a shape to it. The stance and the lines of the car exudes manliness unlike any other SUV's in the market. Steering is easy and not taxing at all which is a big plus when trying to navigate through parking lots. Getting in and out of the vehicle is easy. Lots of room for passengers in the back and cargo is adequate. Off road capabilities are still available because...well, it's a Hummer. But unlike any other Hummer, it gets 20 miles per gallon (hwy). Yes, I said 20. That's on the manual tranny. Yes, I did say manual.
Cons: If you're a horsepower junkie, you'll find the H3 lacking. It has the same engine as the GMC trucks which is a 5 cylinder 220 hp. Depending on sales, Hummer reps have indicated more hp will be available in the future. It also doesn't have the bells and whistles like the H1 and H2 do. The windows are small and takes getting used to, especially when you're backing out of the driveway. It literally felt like I was in a tank. The interior is plasticky. My uncle's H3 only has 6,000 miles on it and wear on the leather is already beginning to show. Fit and finish isn't exactly in top priority here.
Priced under the $30,000 mark for the base model, the H3 proves itself to be an adequate competitor in this market and should be considered by the SUV consumer. Hummer's marketing tactics have been targeting the masses with the H3, particularly the ladies. I've only seen three H3 commercials on TV and 2 of them had females in the driver's seat. No, it's not a Range Rover or an Escalade. But if you had the money for those, you're better off looking at the H2 instead. The H3 has that bang-for-your-buck quality to it. But hey, I'm not complaining.
I had a chance to test drive my uncle's H3 and found that this is a surprisingly nimble SUV. I must admit that I was not much of a Hummer fan because I found the H1 and H2 too bulky for my taste as far as around-town driving. They're basically houses on wheels. Not so with the H3.
Pros: The aesthetics is pure testosterone. Not as boxy as the H2, the H3 actually has a shape to it. The stance and the lines of the car exudes manliness unlike any other SUV's in the market. Steering is easy and not taxing at all which is a big plus when trying to navigate through parking lots. Getting in and out of the vehicle is easy. Lots of room for passengers in the back and cargo is adequate. Off road capabilities are still available because...well, it's a Hummer. But unlike any other Hummer, it gets 20 miles per gallon (hwy). Yes, I said 20. That's on the manual tranny. Yes, I did say manual.
Cons: If you're a horsepower junkie, you'll find the H3 lacking. It has the same engine as the GMC trucks which is a 5 cylinder 220 hp. Depending on sales, Hummer reps have indicated more hp will be available in the future. It also doesn't have the bells and whistles like the H1 and H2 do. The windows are small and takes getting used to, especially when you're backing out of the driveway. It literally felt like I was in a tank. The interior is plasticky. My uncle's H3 only has 6,000 miles on it and wear on the leather is already beginning to show. Fit and finish isn't exactly in top priority here.
Priced under the $30,000 mark for the base model, the H3 proves itself to be an adequate competitor in this market and should be considered by the SUV consumer. Hummer's marketing tactics have been targeting the masses with the H3, particularly the ladies. I've only seen three H3 commercials on TV and 2 of them had females in the driver's seat. No, it's not a Range Rover or an Escalade. But if you had the money for those, you're better off looking at the H2 instead. The H3 has that bang-for-your-buck quality to it. But hey, I'm not complaining.
