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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A Fun New Ride - 2007 Hummer H3
By aesmith3 - March 28 - 1:18 pmI was hesitant to give up my Toyota for a GM product, but the H3 is a pleasant surprise. The interior materials are top notch, the DVD Nav and Monsoon stereo work flawlessly, and its styling is unmistakable. The H3 puts the "Fun" back in functional. It does take some time to become accustomed to the H3s acceleration - it seems slow but I think that is attributable to the engine running so quietly and the fact that you sit up so far off the road.
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My H3 Auto with sunroof. - 2007 Hummer H3
By Yelena. - March 27 - 3:44 pmWhy fuel (gas) gasket is not securely covered? It is completely open. I live in NYC and it is not safe to have fuel gasket open for a "strangers"
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The Ford is gone..... - 2007 Hummer H3
By Kelly S - March 26 - 3:32 pmI bought the H3 3 weeks ago and cannot say enough good about it! I had a 2004 Ford F150 s-crew 4x4, which I liked, but after 2 rear differentials went bad and a serpentine belt broke (leaving me stranded in the desert)I had enough. The H3 was never even on my radar until my cousin bought one and we thought it looked cool. We checked them out and could not believe the ride quality (nearly as good as my BMW 3 series)The interior is awesome, leather seats are nice, sunroof is huge, the Monsoon stereo is INCREDIBLE and it gets TWICE the mileage as the F150. After 1500 miles, I get about 340 miles to a tank, combined driving, with a couple gallon reserve. All in all, I love this SUV!!
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Hummer H3 Base - 2007 Hummer H3
By Verv - March 17 - 11:40 pmI bought an all Black Hummer H3 last week. Its a base model with the power sunroof option and its manual. I bought it for my wife and newborn daughter. Its safe, reliable, has a ton of room for a new family. Its not great on gas but is still decent. It rides nice and smooth on the street, and does wonderful on the dirt roads and trails of Colorado. I love the look of it. It looks great muddy or freshly washed. I have had people give me thumbs up and tell me "nice Hummer" There are a lot of after market options for it also to make it even nicer at a great price.
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Love this truck - 2006 Hummer H3
By embh76 - March 14 - 10:13 pmDriving this truck is so much fun, its a show stopper. Everyone stares and looks at the vehicle. Land Rover owners are jealous and try not to look. Could use more storage spaces inside, need to relocate the electric seat buttons to somewhere else other than the bottom of side seats, hard to reach with the arm rest in the way.
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The Best! - 2007 Hummer H3
By glad - March 13 - 2:47 pmI ABSOLUTELY love this car! I have had a BMW, an Expedition, and Excursion, and a Suburban. This is the best yet. Sporty, sporty, sporty!
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Great Performance Great Quality - 2007 Hummer H3
By AustinHummer - March 10 - 12:53 pmWe have owned for 3 months now and are very pleased. The performance is great! The turning radius is absolutely amazing for a four-wheel drive vehicle. This makes City driving a breeze. The first weekend we look it out to our West Texas ranch and put it through the paces. Performed beautifully! I will never forget some of the serious inclines we drove over. Wow! What FUN!
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Base Hummer is the Best Deal - 2007 Hummer H3
By JD - March 10 - 8:39 amYou can Bling it out or go with a Base model like I did, LESS is MORE for me the chrome package does not make it run any better. It will get you through all the Snow and Ice and rough roads and trails you can throw at it, This is one of the better built GM autos I have owned, You can find flaws in it. I have found Flaws in my Honda, another well built auto. 19 MPG Hwy 15 in city.
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Lived up to expectations - 2006 Hummer H3
By engr12 - March 6 - 10:26 amIve read about this vehicle being sluggish but I have to disagree. It has plenty of power for the hills I travel and I live in West Virginia. The H3 is smooth, has a great turning radius, gets 20 mpg and turns heads in town. Handles very well. I love it, as does my wife.
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Awsome Vehicle - 2006 Hummer H3
By Dee - February 28 - 9:16 pmWe did not intend to buy a Hummer, but the test drive surpassed any other vehicle priced the same or higher. Fuel economy on this car is much better than many other trucks we looked at. The biggest obstacle we ran into is other peoples ignorance of this fine auto. Within the first 24 hours of purchase we were chastized twice by stangers for having a gas hog (not true), people assume we paid much more than the car retails for (I agree it looks like it should), and a cruiser called in our plate. This car will attract a lot of attention and not all of it positive, which is unfortunate because these issues are not valid. Without reservation I highly recommend this vehicle in all respects.
