2007 HUMMER H3 Review
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By Larry Edsall

Overview

H3 is the affordable, approachable, people-friendly Hummer. It's the Hummer you can drive anywhere and in any company, and not be subjected to rude gestures or inappropriate speculation about the size of your vehicular needs.

That's because H3 packs all of the soldier-boy style and some of the off-road capability of the now-defunct H1 and house-size H2 into a mid-size, five-passenger package.

For 2007, H3 has a larger, more powerful standard inline five-cylinder engine. StabiliTrak electronic stability control comes standard on all versions.

Fuel economy is 15/19 City/Highway mpg for the five-cylinder with automatic transmission; Highway mileage increases to 20 mpg with manual transmission.

In addition to serious off-road capability, H3 offers comfortable and quiet performance on the highway. It's an impressive balance.

And the pricing is compelling. H3 provides the level of equipment that luxury-vehicle buyers expect, even though its base price is less than $30,000. Many buyers will want to add an automatic transmission and the Luxury Package with its leather seats and upgraded audio system; but even with the destination charge that adds up to just under $35,000. Add side-curtain airbags and satellite radio you're still under $36,000

And if you don't mind the stares, you might opt for the flashy new H3X, which is based on the H3 Street concept that appeared at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show. H3X adds chrome, unique colors, and a honkin' Monsoon sound system to the basic H3 package. And it's still as capable at squeezing into tight parking spaces as it is picking its way over boulders on the Rubicon Trail.

Model Lineup

The 2007 Hummer H3 is offered in two trim levels: base ($29,405) and H3X ($37,545). Both are powered by a 242-hp five-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard; a four-speed automatic is optional ($1,695).

The base price includes cloth-covered seating for five with manual lumbar adjustment for the front seats, and a second-row seat that is split 60/40 and can be folded down to expand the cargo floor. Also standard are a tilt-adjustable steering column, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, an audio system with a CD player, cruise control, air conditioning, daytime running lights, fog lights, an electronic rearview mirror with temperature and compass readings, and a year's subscription of the OnStar telematics system. Base H3 models roll on 265/75R16 Goodyear all-terrain tires mounted on 16-inch wheels, and come with a full-size spare tire.

Safety features that come standard include StabiliTrak electronic stability control, antilock brakes (ABS), traction control, frontal and side-impact airbags (torso protection) for the driver and front-seat passenger, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Side airbag curtains ($495) are optional and we recommend them for the head protection they can provide to you and your passengers in the event of a side impact or rollover. New child safety locks for the rear doors were introduced during the '07 model year, so don't assume a particular vehicle has them without checking.

The Luxury Package ($3,230) adds leather seating (in a choice of three colors) with seat heaters and power adjustments for both front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Monsoon audio system with in-dash six-CD changer, upgraded sun visors with extenders, and special floor mats. Navigation, which is not available as a stand-alone, can be added to this package ($1,720).

The Adventure package ($1,375) includes a special off-road suspension; rear locking differential; high-ratio transfer case for enhanced off-road traction; unique 33-inch, LT285/75 BFGoodrich off-road tires; and special front and rear floor mats. Or order the same package, but with chromed wheels ($2,075). Navigation ($2,145) can be added to this package.

Options include XM Satellite Radio ($325), the Monsoon audio system with single CD/MP3 player ($695) or with six-disc in-dash changer ($845), a power sunroof ($950), a chrome appearance package ($400), towing equipment ($390), chromed wheels ($900), HomeLink universal transmitter ($175), and an engine-block heater ($50). Hummer dealers offer many additional accessories, including a brush guard ($600), tubular assist steps in black ($595) or chrome ($695), and a chrome fuel door ($185).

H3X comes with leather interior, embroidered headrests, Monsoon sound with six-disc changer, body-color grille, unique wheels and spare tire cover, and lots of brightwork: chrome side steps, chrome fuel door, chrome brush guard, and bright roof-rack crossbows. Two styles of roof-mounted marker lights are available. Two special colors, Sonoma Red Metallic and Desert Orange Metallic, are offered, in addition to the complete color palette for the standard H3. Otherwise, equipment and options are the same as for the base H3.