2007 Hummer H3 First Steer
October 5, 2007 by Anthony Crawford
2007 Hummer H3 First Steer
“If you thought GM’s Hummer H3 was the king of Bling and nothing more – you’d be dead wrong. What this thing can do off road, is downright scary”
My old man’s authentic 1942 WW2 Jeep has always been my off-road hero. Many a Sunday afternoon was spent duelling with hard-core beach buggies on Sydney’s once busy Dee Why sand dunes. I don’t recall the Jeep ever being beaten by these purpose built sand hoppers.
It’s not that I’m not loyal to the old war hero, but you’ve got to pay homage to anything with the word HUMMER written on it, and that includes the H3.
The Hummer brand name comes from the legendary American Military vehicle, the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) nicknamed, Humvee by the US troops in the Desert Storm campaign in 1991.
Legend has it that all four tyres were shot to pieces but the HMMWV still managed to escape the firefight at 100kmh.
If it’s attention you’re after then the Hummer H3 has no peer. At almost two metres wide and five metres long, this is a seriously imposing vehicle. It’s hard to believe that this is the baby in the Hummer line-up, which includes the H1 and H2 Models.
Just launched in Australia by GM premium brands, the H3 had already racked up over 400 pre-launch orders, all on the back of a single yellow example on display at the 2006 Sydney Motor Show.
With a starting price of only $51,990 for the base model H3 with a 5-speed manual box, it seems like a lot of SUV for your money. For a start, it’s a surprisingly comfortable cabin, which includes all the modern creature comforts.
If you step up to the H3 Luxury at $59,990 and that’s my pick, you gain additional goodies such as leather seats and trim and a very decent seven speaker Monsoon sound system with subwoofer and amplifier, capable of socially unacceptable volumes with unusual clarity.
And if the standard off the floor H3 is still not enough Bling for you, then GM offers an extensive range of accessories that should suit you. The pic will be the 18-inch chrome wheels with a slightly lower profile tyre and the chrome hood louvre. I should add that the prices for these add ons seem more than reasonable.
There’s nothing quite like a military style convoy of ten Hummers trying escape Melbourne’s grid locked CBD.
As demonic as the H3 might look, don’t think for one minute that’s it’s difficult to drive or manoeuvre. With a turning circle better than a Mercedes M-Class, Land Rover Discovery and the Ford Territory, the Hummer is surprisingly easy to manage.
I simply wasn’t expecting the ride quality or suspension compliance that the H3 provided during our highway run out to the Victorian bush. It’s a more comfortable ride than many SUVs on the market although; wind noise at 100km/h drowns out any tyre roar.
The four-speed automatic, optional on the base model H3 and mid spec H3 Adventure, is mated to a not so large 180kW 3.7 litre Vortec engine, which provides only adequate power and lacks sufficient torque. The five-speed manual is the better option, if you can live without an auto.
That said, freeway driving at our national speed limits is more than comfortable with the automatic box, but you do need to punch it when overtaking. The bottom line is, this vehicle is begging for a diesel powertrain.
The GM people kept telling us that this junior Hummer was more than capable in off road conditions. Frankly, I didn’t buy it and at most, expected little more than a muddy creek crossing and a medium level hill climb or two.
I should have picked up on their overly relaxed demeanour. The calm before the storm.
First off for our group, was a muddy in part track but with ruts as deep as mineshafts. Worse still, the track was naturally fenced with a row of sizeable gum trees that if collided with, could take out a guard or two.
The H3 operates in standard full time 4WD. But with the push of a dash-mounted button, I engaged 4 HIGH LOCK, as this looked a little more serious than I had anticipated.
Not only was this not a challenge for the H3, but also I doubt whether there is any other SUV on the planet, that offers the level of comfort over such difficult terrain.
My confidence levels were high at this point, and wanting something a little more challenging. I’d heard that saying a hundred times. Careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
Next up, the rock climb. Nothing could prepare you for what lay ahead. Such was the angle of ascent and the size of the rocks, which littered this mountain (yes mountain) that I seriously doubted whether it was possible to scale on foot, let alone in a vehicle of this size.
I selected the next button along, 4 LOW LOCK and engaged 1st gear, as this was heart in the mouth stuff and beyond challenging. Again, gums the size of houses lined the track, making the going even more desperate.
Metre by metre, the Hummer climbed this impossible incline with traction control assisting when the road tyres struggled to find grip over what were essentially, small boulders.
In the end, the H3 made relatively light work of these ludicrously steep routes, so I’m puzzled as to what it would take to stop this vehicle.
With its extreme off road talent, its easy to forget the H3 is a proper SUV that is more than capable of hauling the whole family around or a tonne of sports gear from mountain bike to board.
Rear seat leg and headroom is ample while the rear seats offer 60/40 split or fold flat to accommodate 1577 litres of cargo volume.
By Anthony Crawford
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Phil –
Great to hear your happy with your car. I got mine mid October and Love it too. I’ve stated before on this site – its fantastic – easy to drive, ecomomical compared to the VZ SS I used to have, comfortable and very capable off road. Its also a real head turner.
As far as Im concerned all the naysayers and whiners can go take a flying leap. It all comes down to personal choice and I couldnt be happier with my purchase. At least, as you say, it isnt some tired old Nissan patrol or Cruiser – talk about boring!
all this bitterness.. horses for courses.. lets just face it. It will never seel in volume in australia in numbers like the cruiser. It is more of a niche car, like a designer label shirt. I work for one of the biggest mining companies in australia and they will never buy hummers, as reliability over the last 20 years sees toyota number 1 by a country mile. It is only the 6 month waiting lists that force the odd nissan purchase. For my own reasons I would never buy a H3. I have had 3 100 series cruisers. They were all great cars and all had their own little problems from time to time. But I dont drive one now. Do you know why?? Because 99% of my driving is around the city, with the odd weekend away camping, hence I have bough th the wife a Prado Grande. The 100 series it a pain in the butt to park in the city carparks i can assure you, so anyone thinking the H3 will be easier is an idiot.
Cobra – your wrong about the parking champ – I have the standard roof racks fitted and total height is 1.98 mttrs so I can go into any of the carparks at the major centres in my city no dramas – I know, Ive checked it out. Almost all the carparks, both basement and multi level are 2 mtrs and manouvrability is no drama either and it fits easily into a standard car space.
Whos the idiot now!!
Go Cobra045…………Pete lets see how your reliability goes then we will discuss idiots!
Thats not a lot of clearance still though Pete! You would want to ensure the suspension is settles at all times or you you could be roofless! No lift kit for you I guess!
I dont know why you blokes keep harping on about reliability – the H3 has been running in the USA and Canada since 2005 and there are no reports of any trouble. You are right and we will just have to wait and see.
Clearance is clearence – as I said, have been frequenting these places since october with no dramas.
Regarding the lift kit – I bought a vehicle that is capable enough in standard form thanks – no need for a poxy lift kit – should have expected as much from a cruiser supported!
“if the h3 had a decent engine & transmition this would be a mush better 4×4. but it doesnt therefore it isnt such a great 4×4. i think anthony crawford is one of those people that asses a car for their overall stance on the road, not their mechanics or engneering. Poorly built car, not worth paying over $50,000. i would rather pay that much for a patrol/landcruiser/prado/pajero.”
Dude you’r an IDIOT, A landcruiser costs 69k new, Pajero is 50+, Patrol is 50k+, and prado is 45k or something, making a hummer more than worth the money DICK
Hey Matt, read the third comment by me – I am presuming you CAN read mate.
Fools like yourself who must have read one line of the review shouldn’t be allowed to post comments.
Do us all a favour and go bother 4 X 4 magazine with this inane dribble
Very interesting read.
I’ve placed a deposit on my H3 and should things go as plan, I should be getting it some time in May. Big Pete, I do hope I will not be encountering such delays like yourself. However, having said that, I am very certain that it would be worth the wait.
Re: critics with negative remarks
It boils down to personal preference at the end of the day. You say “tom-ato”; I say “to-ma-to”.
A Hummer is “like nothing else”…. “now get lost”. =)
Big Pete, I checked out the new burnt orange colour at the Melbourne motor show, awesome. The jeeps & other make believe tough dogs looked crap in comparison.
Chris – sorry for the delayed response mate – Ive been O/s on holidays – Ive seen the burnt orange too – its pretty cool but glad I got a Yellow one. There are a few more popping up in my corner of the world and its nice to see people waving etc as we go by. The dealer I bought mine off reckons there will be a Hummer day about June so that will be great.
Still no dramas with mine and overall very happy.
DeepBlue – I would wish no-one the dramas I had but it was more a supply thing and hassles with Hummer Australia than the dealer who was awesome. Pity but they dont seem to worried about actually helping the customers as the cars are still walking out of the show rooms. As a result Hummer dont need to provide any customer service.
As you said though – it was worth the wait so hang in there.
I would wish no-one the dramas I had but it was more a supply thing and hassles with Hummer in India. I like to surf and get to be interest while surfimg.
I would wish no-one the dramas I had but it was more a supply thing and hassles with Hummer in India. I like to surf more time at least 2 hours per day.
Sachin, sorry didn’t follow what you said. Have you got a H3 in India? How’s it selling there? I also happened to see a few H2’s on youtube in India! Your surname isn’t Tendulkar by anychance is it ?? LOL
Guys,
Get over it, half of you who say crap things about the hummer is b/c you cant afford it but want one.
My husband and i are going to buy one and reasons b/c we like it and want a good four wheel drive so do us all a favour piss off and take your nasty pathetic comments some where else even better get a life.
Amadash, you got a typical mentality of a Hummer driver…
“who say crap things about the hummer is b/c you cant afford it but want one.”
Obviously, you don’t have mental capacity to comprehend what has been said, so you assume people are just jealous…
Newsflash, Hummer is fairly cheap as Medium to full size 4wd go!! It’s just that Wrangler Rubicon and 70 series Landcruiser Blow all over it!! But I’m sure you probably don’t even know what a diff lock is, let alone how important it is offroad?!
Look every one – Thomas is back!!!
Thought he might have crawled away for good by now but alas! Still preaching the same old crap about how good the Wrangler and the Cruider are. Yawn.
Diff lock? Gee big deal the Hummer has one – whats your point – Oh I forgot, you dont have one, you just want us to think the Jeep is the best vehicle in the world and anyone who thinks different is wrong – news flash you over inflated little germ – The Hummer is still walking out the doors with supply out stripping demand by 6 months. Even the experts are impressed with its value for money, durability and performance, both on and off road so do us all a favour and disappear again will you.
Yes the Hummer H3 is a little over the top. Still Nobody can touch the awesome capability and value of the true JEEP WRANGLER!
Since 1941. Going strong leading the pack.
it may be a bit late to ask on this forum but all i would like to know is the H3 a capable 4WD in the beach sand? iam a sandgroper and feel 4WD reputation is best gained in soft coastal sand dunes…
anyone with any similar experience out there???
I would be interested to hear from Big Pete as to how the H3 is going. any problems issues and any problems getting them ironed out. I am looking at getting into one, took time for it to grow on me. Any issues from anyone on the H3 thus far would be appreciated.
Big Pete,
Only one difflock? A serious offroader requires atleast two!! Wrangler Rubicon has 2 from factory!!!
So hows your Rodeo based Humer going?