2006 Hummer H3 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

H3 is the midsize model from General Motors-owned Hummer. This five-passenger SUV gets its powertrain and chassis design from GM's compact Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. Compared to Hummer's large H2 SUV, H3 is 11 inches shorter in wheelbase, 3 inches shorter overall, and 1700 lb lighter. The only engine is a 220-hp inline 5-cyl. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, a 4-speed automatic is optional. H3s come with all-wheel drive that includes low-range gearing. An available Adventure Off-Road Suspension Package includes ultralow transfer-case gearing and a locking rear axle. H3s have antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and traction control. An antiskid system is included with automatic transmission. Available are curtain side airbags with rollover deployment. H3s have a swing-open rear cargo door with outside-mounted spare tire. OnStar assistance is standard. Options include sunroof, leather upholstery, and heated front seats.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota 4Runner.

New or significantly redesigned models include Hummer H3, Jeep Commander, Pontiac Torrent, and Subaru B9 Tribeca.

News

The "baby Hummer" wagon reportedly gets a turbocharged option for 2007. The following year brings a "transformer" 4-dr pickup a la H2 SUT, followed by a regular-cab 2-dr version for 2009. None of these rumors can be confirmed at the moment, but GM definitely wants to "grow" the Hummer brand despite bad publicity and some sales resistance in the face of soaring gas prices. Oddly, the rumor mill says GM has abandoned the idea of an even smaller "H4," at least for now.

2006 Hummer H3 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Control layout	Fuel economy

Cargo room	Rear-seat room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base, auto.	Class Average
4	5

With automatic transmission, H3 more than adequate around town, but highway passing or merging requires foot-to-the-floor effort. No opportunity to test with manual transmission.

Fuel Economy

Base, auto.	Class Average
3	3.8

Test automatic-transmission H3s averaged 14.7-15.0 mpg. H3 uses regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Base, auto.	Class Average
5	5.4

Base suspension absorbs low-speed bumps well, but H3 prone to bobbing, abrupt vertical motions at high speed. No opportunity to test with off-road suspension.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base, auto.	Class Average
4	4.1

Reasonably agile. No excessive body lean in turns. Responsive steering has hefty feel. Relatively tight turning circle means good low-speed maneuverability. Good stopping power, though some testers complain of mushy pedal action.

Quietness

Base, auto.	Class Average
5	5.2

Tire noise surprisingly well-muffled with standard treads. Generally little wind rush, though headwinds generate considerable roar. Engine obtrusive in rapid acceleration, otherwise muted.

Controls

Base, auto.	Class Average
7	6.3

An improvement in material quality and general design over H2. Simple, white-on-black gauges easy to read in any lighting condition. Most controls fall readily to hand. Power-window switches set too far back on armrest, require awkward contortion to manipulate. Some testers say cupholders interfere with automatic-transmission lever.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base, auto.	Class Average
6	6.7

High step-in, but handgrips, available running boards help. Good head, leg, and shoulder room. Aft visibility compromised by thick roof pillars, narrow glass openings. Spare tire blocks much of rear window.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base, auto.	Class Average
4	6.2

High step-in and awkwardly shaped door opening complicate entry/exit. Lots of head clearance. Leg room limited for taller passengers. Subpar comfort on low, poorly shaped seat cushion.

Cargo Room

Base, auto.	Class Average
7	8.3

Side-opening single-piece rear gate is large and heavy--a disadvantage in confined quarters. Waist-high cargo floor makes a chore of loading heavier objects. Cargo area usefully shaped, suffers little wheel-arch intrusion. Interior storage limited to glovebox, tiny door pockets, small center console.

Value within Class

Base, auto.	Class Average
4	5.7

Hummer's smallest offering is also its most sensible SUV, but that's not high praise. H3 combines comfortable accommodations and decent on-pavement dynamics with the promise of off-road proficiency. Many like-priced rivals match those assets, however, and are faster and quieter.

Total Score

Base, auto.	Class Average
49	56.7

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		43
Average Score		56
High Score		66

2006 Hummer H3 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 03/02/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door wagon	$28,935	$26,476	$565

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, OnStar assistance system, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, visor mirrors, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, fog lights, roof rails.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Front and rear tow hooks, skid plates, outside-mounted full-size spare tire, 265/75R16 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Adventure Preferred Equipment Group 1SB
Base	$1,125	$968
Locking rear differential, low-ratio transfer case, floormats, off-road suspension, LT285/75R16C on/off-road tires. NA w/chrome alloy wheels.

Luxury Preferred Equipment Group 1SC
Base	$3,230	$2,778
Leather upholstery, heated 8-way power front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Monsoon AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, removable console tray, floormats.

Adventure Off-Road Suspension Pkg.
Base	$925	$796
Locking rear differential, low-ratio transfer case, off-road suspension, LT285/75R16C on/off-road tires. Requires Luxury Preferred Equipment Group 1SC. NA w/chrome alloy wheels.

Chrome Appearance Pkg.
Base	$850	$731
Chrome door handles and mirror caps, roof rack.

Trailering Convenience Pkg.
Base	$150	$110
Power outlet, 7-4 pin adapter, hitch cover. Requires Trailering Equipment.

Trailering Equipment
Base	$270	$232
Trailer hitch, wiring harness.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
Base	$1,695	$1,458
Includes antiskid system.

Safety
Curtain side airbags w/rollover deployment
Base	$395	$340


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Base	$800	$688


AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
Base	$695	$598
w/Luxury Preferred Equipment Group	$0	$0


Monsoon AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
Base	$845	$727


Satellite radio
Base	$325	$280
Requires monthly fee after 3rd month.

Carpeted floormats
Base	$100	$86


Carpeted floormats and cargo mat
Base	$145	$125


Rubber floormats
Base	$125	$91


Rubber cargo mat
Base	$70	$51


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Running boards
Base	$520	$378


Tubular side steps
Base	$595	$434


Chrome tubular side steps
Base	$695	$507
Requires Chrome Appearance Pkg.

Brush guard
Base	$600	$438


Roof-mounted off-road lights
Base	$595	$434


Roof marker light bar
Base	$695	$507
NA w/roof-mounted off-road lights.

Engine-block heater
Base	$20	$17


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Chrome alloy wheels
Base	$800	$688

2006 Hummer H3 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Hummer H3 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	111.9

Overall Length, in.	186.7

Overall Width, in.	85.5

Overall Height, in.	74.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	4700

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	55.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	1150

Fuel Capacity, gals.	23.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.9

Rear Head Room, in.	39.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I5

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.5 /211

Horsepower @ rpm.	220 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	225 @ 2800

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	16/20

4-speed automatic	16/19

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Hummer H3 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	3

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	3/36,000	The 12 scheduled maintenance activities during the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty period are provided free of charge to the owners of Hummer H1 vehicles.

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2006 Hummer H3
Trim Level: Base
Arrival Date: 07/14/2005
Engine: dohc I5
Bodystyle: 4-door wagon
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: Yes
Base Price: $28,935
Price as Tested: $33,059
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 769
Mileage at End of Test: 1306
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 35.791 gals.

Major Options: 4-speed Automatic Transmission with Stabilitrax-Stability Control, Trailer Hitch and Wiring Harness, Black Wwrap Around Brush Guard, Black Tubular Assist Ssteps, Roof Rack Cross Bow

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 15 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Damon Bell Despite its more sensible size, the H3's Tonka-toy styling takes precedence over day-to-day practicality.

Mark Bilek The price is reasonable, but the H3 really needs a six if it wants to play with others in the class. Interior is the best part, functional and stylish. Visibility issues also need to be addressed.

< 2006 Hummer H3 Photos

Also in the 2006 Hummer H3 Review:

Hummer H3

Hummer H3 Road Test

Hummer H3 Prices & Equipment

Hummer H3 Specs & Safety

Hummer H3 Photos

Hummer H3 Full Review

All Hummer H3s

All Hummers

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