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:
Showing 341 through 350 of 459.00-
BITE ON THIS - 2006 Hummer H3
By Rock The Boat - April 20 - 2:36 pmThe HUMMER H3 has been quite a truck for me. It is actually my first car and I cannot think of one that I would have better benefitted from. My father raised me with his HUMMERs and so naturally, I had to have one. Overall, I cannot say a bad thing about it. Its just the average offroad dream vehicle.
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new hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
By chris - April 13 - 4:30 amPriced right, and great looks. The H3 clearly beats all its competitors. A little soft in the acceleration department. Goes great off road. Some interior buttons are a bit small. A blast to drive. I am 5 7" and there are some large blind spots. You need to use your mirrors all the time and the glance over the shoulder can show you the back seat anyway. An after market seat cushion eliminated almost all of this. I am getting an honest 15 mpg in town, and havent done enough highway to really quote. I have a standard Adventure series, and I am not sure what else you could need for options. Leather would be great, but once you start adding things, the price goes up quickly. Love it
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Greatest truck ever - 2006 Hummer H3
By DAN - April 3 - 5:13 pmI take this thing everywhere and it very rarely gets stuck in the mud this thing is awesome!It is the best vehicle that i ever owned!
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it is as fast as a Toyota Four runner - 2006 Hummer H3
By riad - April 1 - 12:26 amI have a toyota 4runner with 4.0l six cylinders engine it takes it 10.5 seconds from 0-60 miles, exactly how much it takes a five cylenders 3,5 L H3 to reach 60 miles/hour. it feels more comfortable in the H3, more special and eye catching as it is not all over the place (yet). the most beautiful thing is that you have loads of accessories to add, chrome handles, side steps, roof lamps etc, every month i can add something to it to make it more unique, i added a rear camera it is pretty usefull and solve the vision issue.next year i am planning to super charge it and then i will give it a 10/10
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Hummer h3 definitely a hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
By ARENAFBLB - March 27 - 2:26 amThe H3 is definetly a hummer. If you think the H3 is small sit in the drivers seat. You will feel like youre in an armoured truck.
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H3 Review - 2006 Hummer H3
By Tim Kleim - March 22 - 11:00 pmThe H3 is a fun vehicle. You get alot of people staring at you while driving down the road. It makes you feel like youre famous.
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Owned since 2009 - 2007 Hummer H3
By Andy - March 3 - 1:51 amGreat vehicle that is just at home in the urban crawl as the mountain trail. Great traction, ride , capability and while not an economy car...I did get 21 mpg on a road trip. The sunroof is huge and the turning radius is awesome. It looks good, runs good and while its not an H1 or H2 , its quite as impressive in a smaller package.
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This H3 ROCKS! - 2006 Hummer H3
By This H3 ROCKS! - February 20 - 6:30 pmI just purchased the H3 a couple of days ago. I love this truck. I think this truck is so fun to drive, I am enjoying the 200 watt monsoon stereo. Everywhere I go, somebody makes a comment about the truck! I wanted to get the marker lights, but found out that they dont offer them anymore. I also wanted the chrome package( side mirrors, and handles), found out only available on the luxury package.
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This is IT! - 2006 Hummer H3
By Josh & Heather - February 14 - 8:33 amMan do we love our hummer and wow you bet you can pack all the groceries you want and even others in it and its drives like a dream. A jeep cannot touch it and in fact nothing else can even come close to it and what else is also great about it is it wont break your bank account like most luxury autos will.
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Awesome Sport-ute - 2006 Hummer H3
By Derek - February 13 - 7:16 amA truely rugged, reliable, and just plain awesome machine. Spectacular off- road capabilities, great fuel economy for a hummer, and nice interior with the lux package.
