The Hummer H3 was introduced as a 2006 model with a single available engine, a 3.5-liter inline five good for 220 horsepower. While more than adequate for off-roading, the five struggled to motivate the "little" 4,600-pound Hummer, especially at higher speeds. For 2007, the H3's engine got bumped to 3.7 liters and 242 horsepower. Better, but still more sluggish than just about anything else you can buy in these horsepower-hungry times. Well, for 2008 the 3.7 remains the standard engine, but for the first time a 295-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 is also available.

Is this the engine the H3 has been waiting for? I took one for a test drive to find out.

Styling

Aside from some badging, the H3 Alpha looks much like any other chrome packaged H3. So it's not pretty, but it's not meant to be pretty. It's meant to look tough and rugged, like a downsized H2, and it does. As with the H2, the windshield is close to bolt upright. The main aesthetic difference compared to the H2: pronounced plastic fenders that are not integral with the body. The resulting fender bulges give the H3 its own look, one that is less slab-sided than the H2's.

The interior has less character than the exterior, or the interior of big bro H2 for that matter. The H3's interior is more car-like than that of other hardcore off-roading machines (e.g the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota FJ Cruiser). It also feels more refined and upscale, even luxurious when fitted with leather (optional on the regular H3, standard on the Alpha). Which isn't necessarily a bad thing if what you want from a vehicle interior is a pleasant, well-finished place to kick back during a long commute (or trek to Moab).

Accommodations

Getting into the Hummer H3 is complicated by the SUV's generous ground clearance--the step-in height is an even two feet. Many people will want the optional step bars. Once in the seat the view out is good despite the H2-like thick pillars. As in the H2, the distant upright windshield makes for an interesting (in a good way) experience. Just get used to stopping further from traffic lights to easily view them. The optional leather seats are comfortable, though as with the H2 some additional lateral support might come in handy off-road.

The H3's ergonomics could use some work. As in the H2 you must lean forward to adjust the unusually far away rearview mirror. And at first I could not find the power window switches. They were under my forearm, mounted much further rearward on the armrest than I'm used to. Other controls were better laid out, with large knobs for the major audio and climate control functions.

The rear seat is a weak spot. Getting in and out is difficult. In addition to the door opening's height off the ground, the opening is extremely narrow, coming almost to a point at the bottom. Once in the seat you'll find decent head and leg room but marginal comfort. The seatback is good, but the cushion is very shallow and too low to the floor to provide any thigh support. I had to sit with my knees high. Because the H3's body is only as wide as a compact pickup, rear shoulder room is a compact car-like 53.5 inches. There are belts for three people, but if these people are adults they're not going to be happy people. I've stuffed three child seats into some fairly small cars; they'd be a very tight fit into an H3 if they fit at all.

Folding the Hummer H3's rear seat is an unusual two-step process. First the cushion slides forward (but does not tip). Then the seat back folds. With the seat folded, the floor is not flat. Instead, it ramps up about four inches. Maximum cargo volume is only 56 cubic feet, low even for a compact SUV. A folding front passenger seat would help but is not available.

On the Road

I suppose I should have cut to the chase and led with this section, for the new V8 is the focus of this review. Used in an array of GM cars, SUVs, and pickups, the 5.3-liter small block V8 succeeds where the inline five has failed for many potential H3 owners. Since it has nearly two-and-a-half tons to contend with, the V8 does not make the H3 outright fast. What it does do, as elsewhere, is provide effortless part throttle acceleration both around town and on the highway. In everyday driving, the engine never sounds like it's working all that hard and acceleration becomes a non-issue.

The V8 is teamed only with GM's tried and true four-speed automatic. If you want a stick, the five-cylinder is still the only option. While additional gears would be welcome, the V8's flat broad torque curve makes the wide spacing between ratios a minor shortcoming at most. For all but the most aggressive driving the four-speed serves well, with smooth well-times shifts.

The EPA numbers are an MPG or two lower for the V8. But, since the V8 has to struggle so much less, I wouldn't be surprise if its real world fuel economy was equal to that of the five cylinder.

Handling is a bright spot. Sure, the H3's handling is hardly sporting, but for a machine whose primary mission is off-road it's quite good. As you'd expect given its smaller size, the H3 feels far more manageable than the H2. The steering wheel has a satisfyingly thick rim. The system it links you to has a pleasing heft to it, is well-weighted, and (for a truck) provides a decent amount of feedback. In turns the H3 leans, but less than the H2, and generally has a much more balanced feel. The standard tires have a wide 265 cross section, the optional "33s" an even wider 285, so grip is good (as SUVs go) despite the H3's weight.

When I first drove the H3 two years ago I thought it's ride quite smooth and steady for a full-bore SUV. During more recent test drives, including this latest one, I've been much less satisfied with this aspect of its performance. It's probably a matter of the roads I've driven. On all but the smoothest roads the H3's ride feels overly busy, with nearly constant low amplitude jiggles, and even a bit harsh. That said, the H3's body structure feels very solid, and noise levels are moderately low.

Hummer H3 Price Comparisons and Pricing

The V8 is only available in the Alpha, which is essentially a nearly loaded H3 with a V8. So while the base price of $39,260 is $6,870 higher, if you equip a regular H3 like the Alpha the two end up only $2,065 apart. This seems a reasonable amount to pay for the engine upgrade.

Both the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota FJ Cruiser cost much less, but with none of the Alpha's luxury bits they're far more comparable to the base H3.

Instead, the closest match is probably the Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.7-liter V8. I haven't input pricing for the 2008 yet, which has an upgraded 4.7, so 2007 pricing will have to do. A Grand Cherokee Limited with chrome wheels (standard on the Alpha) lists for a nearly identical amount, but rebates on it are usually much higher. On remaining 2007s, rebates are $4,500 on the Jeep and $2,500 on the Hummer. Adjusted for unshared features widens the gap by another $1,300 in the Grand Cherokee's favor.

The comparison is similar when comparing the H3 Alpha to the Toyota 4Runner Limited V8, except that the rebate on the Toyota is $2,500 and the feature gap about $1,700.

Why the large feature gap? Well, despite the nice leather interior, few upscale features are offered on the H3. Among the features you can't get: dual zone or automatic climate control, audio controls on the steering wheel, a trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, air vents for the rear seat passengers, or even a center armrest for said passengers.

Prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate these and other comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, www.truedelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)

TrueDelta's page for the Hummer H3:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/H3.php

Last Words

The new V8 is a perfect match for the Hummer H3, turning what had been a major reason for buying something else into a non-issue. Compared to the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota FJ Cruiser, the H3 already had a more upscale and sophisticated look and feel.

So what's not to like (other than the busy ride)? Well, the price. Because the V8 is only available in Alpha trim, it also costs far more than the Jeep or Toyota. Instead, its forced to compete more with vehicles that offer far more upscale features.

I suppose one could argue that the Alpha has an entire market niche to itself. But why is the V8 only available in the Alpha? Given that the inline five is a DOHC unit, while the V8 is a classic pushrod architecture, the two engines probably don't differ much in manufacturing cost. Which makes me think that the V8 should probably be the only engine available on the H3, or at least available as a $2,000 option on the base H3.

After all, the V8 doesn't make the H3 a high-performance machine worthy of a special badge. What it does is complete a package that, with the five, has always been incomplete for on-road use. So why not make it available without the badge and the attendant $6,000 in extra equipment?

A Note on Hummer H3 Reliability

I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've started collecting my own data. Results, once they are available, will be posted to my site, www.truedelta.com, with updates every three months.

Unlike other sources, TrueDelta will clearly identify what difference it will make if you buy an H3 rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" and "days in the shop" stats (among others). You will be able to specify the number of years, annual miles, and types of repairs to include in Hummer H3 reliability comparisons.

Before I can report results, I need reliability data on all cars--not just the H3--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive free access to the site's reliability information. Non-participants will have to pay an access fee.

For the details, and to sign up, visit www.truedelta.com.

A link to this website and alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.

Some of my reviews of related vehicles:
Jeep Grand Cherokee review
2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited review
Nissan Pathfinder review
Toyota FJ Cruiser review
Toyota 4Runner review
Amount Paid (US$): 42,000
Model Year: 2008
Model and Options: H3 Alpha