I didn’t think it was that bad. For the most part he is right. This car is defiantly not for everybody. For the money you can purchase a far more generously equipped SUV.
85% of SUV drivers are using them as DD’s (myself included). Lets face it for the average soccer mom a Pathfinder is probably a better fit. And I prefer it that way.
Having said that I come from the Wrangler school of philosophy. That philosophy states, “The more impractical it is the more I want it”.
Unfortunately that philosophy has been superceded by an even higher power and that power is “She”. And "She" hates my Wrangler.
I think what has everybody hot under the collar is the underpowered statement.
Is it underpowered compared to a Hemi Durango or a Hemi Cherokee? Absolutly. Lets face it, there are only a handful of SUV’s and Pick-ups out there that are slower. Am I buying it for 1/4 mile racing? Of course not. If they built it with an optional 265-V6 or a 300HP-V8 would i have purchased that option. Hell yeah
Truck Trend did an on/off road comparison of the H3, Dodge Power Wagon. Jeep Grand Cherokee, LR3, Land Cruiser and the Touareg.
Quote
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">“Our driver further noted that I-5 seems barely up to our highway-speed (with crosswinds) needs.” </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
The H3 did come in 2nd out of the 6 edged out by the Land Rover LR3 ($53,245)
Here are the editor’s final notes
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Second Place
Hummer H3
Hummers H3 is a humdinger. It’s incredibly capable, tackling nearly everything we put in its way and seemed to beg for more difficult terrain. The H3 misses the absolute 4x4 mark by a hair: It needs more power. Saddled with an incredible set of gears it works wonders in low range, but in 4 high or on the highway, the H3 feels like a baby hummer, were sure the turbo diesel or a V-8 option, the H3 would be a spectacular performer. Out other gripe is in the visibility department. The view out is about as poor as looking out the port of a rose parade float, and we would’ve had serious problems if we didn’t have a spotter for trail runs, or cresting hills.”
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For me it’s always been about that rugged non-conformist look. Big tires, sucks being behind me, curbs mean nothing, medians even less, yeah there is a good chance I'm going to drive over you lawn and crush your azalea bush, sucking down gas cause I support the economy, screw you attitude.