2006 Hummer H3 Test Drive

Big Baby

The smallest Hummer yet handles better than its brethren, but don't expect fuel efficiency despite its small engine.

On The Road

GM did its best to make the H3 fuel-friendly, equipping it with a relatively small (3.5 liters) 220-horsepower, five-cylinder truck engine (from the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon). It doesn't help much, though. Our 300 miles of untrafficked rural-road and interstate driving gave a bottom line of 14.7 miles per gallon. The full-time all-wheel drive and 4,700-pound curb weight are among the culprits for such a high rate of fuel consumption.

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Like the heart of a Chihuahua in the body of a pit bull, there's no upside to using this smallish engine in the H3. Whether driving the manual-transmission version, or one equipped with the optional four-speed automatic, the H3's acceleration seems at times imperceptible — as in, you press the accelerator and nothing happens. The slightest uphill requires downshifting, and you spend a lot of time with the gas pedal shoved to the floor. Though other midsize SUVs with limp base engines offer more power via a V8 upgrade — BMW X5, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, etc. — the 220-hp five-cylinder is the H3's only engine.

At least the H3's ride is good — surprisingly car-like and with a taut but not too choppy feel that belies its big-rig looks. Feedback from the steering wheel on what the wheels are doing is vague, as with any truck wearing such tall tires designed for mud and muck.

Handling is adequate with one exception: The H3's tall body and high center of gravity make left-right-left avoidance maneuvers scary. In successive tight turns, momentum of the vehicle's top-heavy swaying body builds quickly and dangerously — not a good thing if a skid starts in one direction and is overcorrected in the other.

GM's StabiliTrak skid-compensation system helps immensely, but it's only available with the automatic transmission. Not surprisingly, GM electronically limits the H3's top speed to 98 miles per hour. So, all you need to outrun this brutish beast is a cute little Toyota Prius, which can hit 104 mph.