Overview:
Returning to LAX I had the excitement of being greeted by the new 2006 Hummer H3 SUV. If you liked the H1 and warmed up to the H2 you surely will like this H3.
GM has continued to downsize the original “Alpha” H1 Hummer while maintaining the look and feel into the smaller versions. Thanks to GM it gave all of us the opportunity of owning a “Rambo” type vehicle at a our individual price bracket if that’s what we want.
Roughly the costs are $100,000 for the original H1, $52,000 for the H2 and $36,000 for the H3 – all well equipped.
General Info:
Parts – USA
Assembly – USA
Class: – SUV
Cars: H1, H2 and H3.
Handling & Performance:
0-60 in under 10 seconds doesn’t sound all that impressive, but it is still a big hunk to move quickly. In any case I doubt you’ll be buying one for road racing.
Styling:
True to the parent so you know who’s kid this is.
Fit and Finish:
You just knew when they transformed the fighting machine into civilian clothes it would have to be a real car and thus it would have to fit together better than the H1. Well, it does fit together far better. And that is a good thing because the H1 was rough around the edges.
Cost:
It is priced just where I (and I expect you) believed it would be. It’s competitive with other SUV’s. And why shouldn’t it? because that’s what it is and I doubt the consumer would pay much, if anything, more than any other SUV offered and available from other manufactrurers.
Conveniences:
XM radio is wonderful and fast becoming one of the must have features on any car today.
Consumer Recommendation:
Hummer is still like nothing else on the highways of this planet. If that’s your thing to own unique things this will appeal to you a lot. My friend Lev had to have one of each so last week he went out and bought one – without even asking me. Can you believe that? I doubt he will get rid of the H1 and H2 because it would break up the set. Lev collects things like this like our kids collect Star Wars pieces at MacDonalds.
I liked the novelty of the H1 but this H3 is the best size yet with the same feel and look. Ok, so the H1 is way further out there, but this is a good idea for the rugged individualist who shudders at spending $100 grand for the original. But if you think about it, the Jeep Wrangler is really more for the “Outdoors-man” who is truly a tough and tumble guy or gal.
The Competition:
Hummer H3 $29-36,000, GMC Envoy $29-40,000, Chevrolet Trailblazer $27-33,000, Toyota 4Runner $28-38,000, Jeep Grand Cherokee $27-42,000, Ford Explorer $27-36,000, Honda Pilot $27-35,000, Land Rover LR3 $38-53,000, Lexus GS 470 $46,535, Dodge Durango $28-37,000.
Good News:
Affordable Rambo-Mobile, comfortable ride – really it is very smooth, Unique driving experience.
Bad News:
Not really all that great on fuel. I didn’t agree with the EPA stats of up to 20 MPG around town.
Standard Equipment:
3.5 liter 220 hp engine, power sunroof, 5-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power wienows and locks, seating for 5, CD player, dual front air bags, ABS brakes, traction control. Options: chrome exterior door handles and exterior mirrors, XM Satellite Radio, off road suspension package including off road tires, 4:1 2-speed transfer case, locking rear differential and specially tuned shocks, trailer hitch and wiring, luxury package including leather seating, 8-way power driver and passenger seats w/ heated seat cushions, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, AM/FM with 6-disc in-dash CD changer with 7 speaker monsoon system with amplifier and rear woofer speakers, oversized mats. Options add $7,200 for a total of $36,225.
Gas Stats:
16 City and 20 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $28,935.
