Nothing handles like a rental, er, hummer h3

[koolchris99]

Hadnt seen a review on here so would post my opinions,

had to rent something for the holidays as our z4 only has 2 seats and the old man needed the explorer to take kids to school etc, usually i get a fortuna or prada but decided to try the hummer this time, (we are looking for a replacement for the explorer so was good to try one of the possibles)

The model was a 3.5l, 4 speed auto, pushing 220hp and 225ft of torque. It was slightly ropey having covered 150k kms. First impressions it felt very solid, i was concerend about the visibility but sitting so low to the ground your eye level sits perfectly with the windows. The interior was pretty crap, plastic everywhere and the boggo cloth seats made my back ache after a few hours, however there was alot of room in both the front and back and the passengers didnt complain.

On the road it sits nicely at 130kph on cruise control, it lacks real grunt and the 4 speed is pretty gappy in auto. It feels very basic in corners with a lot of body roll, however the turning circle is very very good.

Off road is where i hoped it would give me something more, however again it felt underpowered, it has a live rear and indi front, with locking diffs but even in high locked on sand it felt crud. bit dissapointed.

Image. i was surprised that the hummer was pretty immune (over here at least) from the brand snobs, it wasnt cheap like a nissan or Kia, but didnt look out of place next to a range rover or VW.

price. At 12500 RO for a top spec H3 the price is unbeatable, a prada comes in at 22500, a Jeep at 16500 and the nissan at 14500.

Overall i think we might get one, (in manual) not because it was a great car to drive, not because it was great inside, but because it was very solid, trustworthy, and if someone hit it we would be fine, plus there is nothing else close to it at that price.

pictures:










p.s. my speeeeeeling is ste i know

Edited by koolchris99 on Thursday 3rd March 12:29

[JimexPL]

The later 3.7 litre feel gutsier.
Considering that they're a 5 cylinder engine, the standard intake and exhaust strangle any 'warbling' - easy to fix though, and makes the car feel like it's struggling far less.

[BLUETHUNDER]

I've got a H2.I have taken it off road a few times now,and i was quite impressed with it.Ploughed through some really thick mud with ease that stopped a disco in its tracks.For such a heavy vehicle i thought i would have problems.But it seems that a few of the places i've been the weight has been in its favour.

And if you use the right people.Quite cheap to run.Apart from the fuel consumption..

[Stu R]

Never driven an H3 but assumed they'd be about on par with a Cherokee?

Look great, and I still really fancy an H2, could be my next daily drive if I don't get another pick-up

[BLUETHUNDER]

Stu R said:

Never driven an H3 but assumed they'd be about on par with a Cherokee?

Look great, and I still really fancy an H2, could be my next daily drive if I don't get another pick-up

If you do go down the H2 route make sure you check the wheel bearings.H2,s eat them,and they are a complete hub assemblie.

[Hooli]

Isn't the H3 just a Chevy Lorado in drag? No I'm not sure of the spulink of the car I'm thinking of.

[Stu R]

BLUETHUNDER said:

f you do go down the H2 route make sure you check the wheel bearings.H2,s eat them,and they are a complete hub assemblie.

Thanks Mark, I heard they were pretty heavy going (no pun intended) on them, and front suspension components too. Nothing's putting me off one though, just depends what I stumble across next time I'm in the US