Jason on Cars

I’ve said before that I have a small fascination with Hummer. I dislike almost everything they have come to be known for, and I have a general disdain for large vehicles. However, there is something about them that keeps me from hating them, and at times, I still think they are cool. I think they are ridiculous as a vehicle, but as an icon, fascinating.

The H3 is even more interesting to me. Costing only $30k, they are almost like a fake Hummer. When parked next to a co-workers Ford Expedition, it was obviously smaller, something I wasn’t expecting. Gone was the vast, open space of the larger H1 and H2, this mid-sized SUV almost felt small when remembering what it’s older siblings felt like inside. Holding 5 people was slightly strained, even though getting into still requires use of the side rails. Put simply, the Hummer H3 looks big, but isn’t.

While driving is when this car really became bizarre. Five people crammed into the back, yet I couldn’t see my corners and had a terrible time getting it into a parking spot in a parking garage. It feels like it takes up a lot of space, yet when you get in, you can’t figure out where that space went.

As for the highway, it was very comfortable. By far the smoothest of the Hummers I’ve driven, and had a simplicity to it that I’ve come to appreciate. The instrument panel was also very nicely done; trouncing any other American panel I’ve seen this year (with the exception of the Cadillac STS). It was understated, clean, simple to use, and had small buttons, not the huge, gaudy buttons of the H2.

Overall, I liked the driving experience, and thought it had a cool exterior that wasn’t as obnoxious as other models. It seems like a bargain, and has a definite “cool” factor.

But the real story with this car is its name. I have to say, with around 18 mpg on the highway, this is one of my favorite SUVs I’ve driven this year, especially at this price-point. I would take it in minute over the $26k Hyundai Santa Fe, and it can’t be compared with the smoother, more elegant SUVs that quickly cost more than $55k. This truck sits somewhere in the vortex of price, comfort and size. If you want a mid- to large-SUV, this is great bang for the buck. If you want a small econo-SUV with a 4-banger, get the Hyundai, or pony up for the X3. However, none of that factors in that this is a Hummer, and with that, the facts come crashing down.

I couldn’t drive this in the Northwest. I’m sure I would get protested or it would get vandalized, and I have to say that I’m not sure I would want to drive a product that basically exudes over-indulgence and a generally boastful “Little Man Disease” flavor. For the same reason I will never own a Camaro, my fragile identity just won’t let me be associated with something that my mind has decided is ridiculous, even when the individual product proves otherwise. It’s an acknowledged flaw in logic, but I know I’m not the only one that suffers from it.