Overview & Reviews

Originally, Hummer ownership was kind of like hiring a Hollywood pyrotechnic company to run your Fourth of July celebration -- complete overkill and massively expensive, but surely a great way to impress the heck out of the neighbors. Then came the Hummer H3. It was designed to be the "real world" Hummer: less pyrotechnics and more sparklers.

That's not to say that the company's engineers stopped their testosterone I.V. drip. The H3's styling still proclaimed loudly that it's a card-carrying member of the Hummer guild, and the truck had more off-road capability than just about every other midsize SUV when the pavement ends.

For everyday urban use, however, the smallest of Hummers still wasn't the best choice. Unless you were driving the "Alpha" version, which boasted V8 power, the Hummer H3 was painfully slow in certain situations. It was also let down by other traditional Hummer faults such as poor outward visibility and an interior that isn't as voluminous as its exterior styling suggests.

If you're keen on the H3's looks and style, or if you plan on plenty of recreational use, a used H3 should be a good purchase. Still, our editors feel that most buyers will be better served by other used midsize SUVs.

Current Hummer H3
The Hummer H3 was a midsize SUV that was produced from 2006-'09. A pickup-style model known as the H3T was produced only for 2009 and was equipped similarly.

Originally, the four-wheel-drive H3 came with a 3.5-liter inline-5 good for a meager 220 horsepower. Hummer addressed the power shortage in 2007, bumping it up to 3.7 liters and 239 hp. The inline-5 was the same engine found in General Motors' midsize pickups, and despite its increase, it was overwhelmed by this SUV's nearly 2.5 tons of curb weight. In our Hummer H3 road test, we recorded a 0-60-mph time of 11 seconds. Fuel economy wasn't all that great either. Fortunately, there was also the Alpha version of the H3, which arrived for 2008 and sported a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8 that provided more respectable performance. With the V8, the H3's 0-60 time drops to 8.8 seconds. A five-speed manual was standard on five-cylinder models, while a four-speed auto was optional with the I-5 and standard with the V8.

Allowed to play in the dirt, the smallest Hummer was basically unstoppable. With 9.1 inches of ground clearance, loads of wheel travel, oversized all-terrain tires and standard skid plates, the H3 could pretty much go wherever you wanted without taking damage. For optimum performance, adding the optional Off-Road Suspension package yielded a shorter-geared transfer case for better hill climbing and descending, a locking rear differential, 33-inch off-road tires and firmer suspension tuning.

Inside, the H3's cabin was more stylish than those of its pickup relatives, though its materials were only a bit better (meaning still not good). At least most of the controls were easy to use. The 60/40-split rear seat could be lowered to increase cargo capacity, though this vehicle's maximum capacity of 56 cubic feet was smaller than that of many other compact and midsize SUVs. Outward visibility was hampered by the gun-slit-style windows and tailgate-mounted spare tire.

Aside from its engine updates, there were few changes during the H3's single generation. Stability control and side curtain airbags were made standard for '08 and a rearview camera became optional. Standard Bluetooth connectivity and manual transmission hill-start assist were added for '09, while a front locking differential became optional. The rearview camera system was also revised.

User Reviews:

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  Hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Felix - November 7 - 5:39 pm

  I recieved this vehicle as a sixteenth birthday gift and have been happy since! This is a fun vehicle to drive. It turns a lot of heads when you are stopped at a stop light or on the highway. The only thing I would change is the power window panel, move it closer so that it is easy accessible by hand. And I would suggest a third row. Overall I am satisfied

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  Love it! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Bobby - October 31 - 2:56 pm

  Ive had the H3 for a few months now and just love it. Mine is bright yellow which I think is a fantastic color. I read a lot of reviews criticizing its engine so I was really expecting a lot of lag when I first test drove it. Unless you drive on hilly roads regularly, I feel the engine is more than adequate. Youre not going to win any races but its an SUV not a sports car. Have gotten a lot of compliments and its not like it just came out.

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  Not safe for children - 2006 Hummer H3
  By DAWN JANNUCCI - October 27 - 4:40 pm

  My husband bought an h3 for me for christmas coming from a ford expedition i was really disappointed. The h3 is cute from the outside ,but it is really small, worst part the h3 does not i repeat does not have child safe rear doors. which means that a child can unlock the door from the inside back seat of the vehicle . I called the number in the back of my owners manual and was told that hummer could not even install them for me. I do not believe that a car that a child can open that easily is even remotely safe for them.

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  My Wrangler is getting JEALOUS..! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By C Elliott - October 21 - 5:51 pm

  I really wasnt in the market for another vehicle, but when my wife kept up how she found the "perfect" vehicle for me I went for a look-see. That said, my Wrangler YJ is sitting outside getting jealous, as I havent driven it since getting my H3. Regardless of others reviews, it is a true "Hummer" tried and true, just in a slightly smaller package. Weighing in at 5,885 lbs it has a very solid drive feel, but is extremely nimble when cornering or having to maneuver through traffic. The exterior draws looks in parking lots and Ive had people come up and say, "I didnt know that they still made these?". Thats when my pride shows through as I tell them its a 2007. On the mechanical side the 5 cyl engine coupled with the 5 speed Automatic gives peppy performance for such a heavy vehicle. If it had a larger V6, well that would have been nice, but Ive had it on the highway up to 85 without any issue. Mileage is what should be expected for a "tank" of an SUV and I go nearly 410 miles on a 23 gal tank, so 16-18 mpg. With the off road package it has two locked diff settings one 4W Hi / one 4W Lo and take it from me 4W Lo will take you ANYWHERE you dare to go. Approach and side slope angles are better than the Wrangler as it has a lower center of gravity given the short windows. Interior comfort is great with deep, contoured seats in front (mine are charcoal/tan bulletproof cloth) and reasonably deep seats in the rear. Truly, wont use them as "NO KIDS" so they will spend time flipped and folded which is a great little feature giving more room to the cargo area. Overall, I wouldnt trade my H3, unless that is they do start making them here in the USA again.!

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  Love my Hummer - 2008 Hummer H3
  By castlerock - October 12 - 8:51 pm

  This is the most fun vehicle I have ever owned. Handles and runs great. I am over 6 feet tall and have plenty of room to spare

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  Amazing Vehicle!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Shane - September 29 - 6:56 am

  Well lets just say I never want to park it. All of my friends keep twisting my arm to take them for a ride....my wife keeps trying to steal it and drive it to work.....I am blown away by the whole package. As others have mentioned...it drives like a dream....has a fabulous interior...the sound system is a killer......and everybody on the road has to get a second or third look at it as I drive by. What more could a SUV owner ask for???

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  2007 Hummer H3 better than expected - 2007 Hummer H3
  By kermit - September 22 - 2:49 pm

  Having read this review, I assume the author does not drive vehicles off-road. Yes, I agree the paved road performance is not racy, but I related performance for off-road conditions, which is why I bought it. The 12-way heated leather seats are extremely comfortable and there is lots of head room and leg room in the rear seat. Gas mileage improves as it breaks in. I get 20-21 mpg highway and 17 going to work- half highway (stop-n-go)/half streets. It is a luxury severe off-road SUV. It should be compared with Range Rovers not FJs or Grand Cherokees.

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  Fantastic Purchase - 2008 Hummer H3
  By BodyofWork07 - September 19 - 9:24 pm

  I orginally wanted to buy a H3 back in 2007. At that time, they were all above 30K. I recently test drove one and really enjoyed the look, feel, and ride. With the current pricing, I couldnt pass it up. This is such a neat vehicle and Hummer has delivered on the name.

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  Fun as heck to drive - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Erik - August 23 - 11:04 pm

  Just rid myself of a Ford Escape and I absoutly love my New H3 Hummer. I feel like I am in a tank/armored vehicle with almost the interior of a Mercedes. It has plenty of power, drives very smooth and the MPG is better than the smaller Escape. Everything is really nice, not opulant but very nice and exudes quality. Very appropriate for they type of vehicle it is. Very muscular but refined, I dont think I could be any happier.

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  H3 Tactical "The Anti-Bling!" - 2007 Hummer H3
  By H3 Tactical Rocks - August 19 - 1:14 am

  I love my H3 Tactical Edition, it sports NJ Devil colors-Red/Black. I get looks from other H3s with their lame chrome packages, as this one stands out even more than they do with all that chrome. Chrome on a mountain climber? What? Color matching grille and black brush guard and tube steps and unassuming black stealthy spare tire cover make this the sweetest factory version of all H3s produced and thank God (for me) GM only made 1000 of these! Turning radius is unbelievably tight and bigger 3.7 does just fine on fuel with a nice throaty growl!