Ext User(James)
15-11-2007, 06:32 PM
I took an auto Hummer H3 adventure for a drive today and I must say I'm
impressed. My expectations were of an attempt to merely "pimp up" a 4wd for
on road appeal but it really seems to be a very capable 4WD as well as being
friendly to drive on-road apart from visability issues. Off-road it had
definate potential.
The 5cyl engine is a little on the gutless side, the benefit being extremely
good fuel economy that would make Territory drivers cringe. Lacking
performance aside (afterall it isn't supposed to be a GT) the on-road feel
and ride was fantastic, not bouncy and bumpy as I expected and although
obviously feeling bigger and heavier to drive than a sedan it wasn't
obtrusive. And the turning circle!...fuck me, you could just about park the
thing sideways in a double garage. Merging into traffic involves opening the
very small window and sticking your head out to watch for approaching
vehicles since the very wide B pillar and the position of the seat for me
made it difficult to see over my shoulder. The interior is of fantastic
quality and finish. Although the leather seats looked a little tacky they
were very comfortable. Head room is a little limited but partially by
choice, I just felt more comfortable being seated a little higher to get a
visability advantage. Standard safety features include all the things you
would expect in a $60,000 vehicle (and the ESP can be turned off). In town
there is another factor that is annoying, or to some people good I guess,
and that is the "Hey look at me" factor.
Taking it off-road and giving it a real workout was a little difficult as
everything is so dry and flat around here, the regular mud holes are just
chopped up clay now. I gave it a bit of stick down a pot-holed bush track
and found myself pleased with the way the suspension was working (and the
lack of squeaks and rattles), until I took it around a corner at ~80km/h
pot-holes included and found myself stepping a bit sideways towards several
trees (Note to self...I'm not in a Subaru and this is not a CAMS sanctioned
event instead the standard tyres do not have a lot of bite on the shoulders
and this is a relatively heavy vehicle). When at a local pit used by
motorcross wannabees I proceeded up and down a few of the hills, but it
turned out to be all a bit too easy. The steepest would probably be in the
vicinity of 40 degrees and with the auto using low range was really
pointless but of course I tried it out anyway, and what a low range it is,
combined with rear and centre diff-locks engaged this thing could climb
rocky walls. I tried my best to get some wheels in the air but the terrain
simply wouldn't do it justice.
The curious thing about about this model is who it's main competitors would
be. My first thought was the Cherokee, as the Landcruiser and Patrol are a
little larger with I believe better towing capacity. Certinally I have no
doubt that the H3 Adventure model would keep up with the best of them
off-road (the base model and the Luxury offer no diff-locks or the same
low-range). Not really a competitor for the big soft roaders as it lacks the
poke and your paying a premium for something that can actually go off-road.
Alas I fear that is where they will all end up though, dropping the kids off
at school.
If I was in the market for a useable 4WD and had $60k to spare I'd buy one
in a heartbeat except I'd have to put up with being "That poser in the
hummer"
Regards
James
impressed. My expectations were of an attempt to merely "pimp up" a 4wd for
on road appeal but it really seems to be a very capable 4WD as well as being
friendly to drive on-road apart from visability issues. Off-road it had
definate potential.
The 5cyl engine is a little on the gutless side, the benefit being extremely
good fuel economy that would make Territory drivers cringe. Lacking
performance aside (afterall it isn't supposed to be a GT) the on-road feel
and ride was fantastic, not bouncy and bumpy as I expected and although
obviously feeling bigger and heavier to drive than a sedan it wasn't
obtrusive. And the turning circle!...fuck me, you could just about park the
thing sideways in a double garage. Merging into traffic involves opening the
very small window and sticking your head out to watch for approaching
vehicles since the very wide B pillar and the position of the seat for me
made it difficult to see over my shoulder. The interior is of fantastic
quality and finish. Although the leather seats looked a little tacky they
were very comfortable. Head room is a little limited but partially by
choice, I just felt more comfortable being seated a little higher to get a
visability advantage. Standard safety features include all the things you
would expect in a $60,000 vehicle (and the ESP can be turned off). In town
there is another factor that is annoying, or to some people good I guess,
and that is the "Hey look at me" factor.
Taking it off-road and giving it a real workout was a little difficult as
everything is so dry and flat around here, the regular mud holes are just
chopped up clay now. I gave it a bit of stick down a pot-holed bush track
and found myself pleased with the way the suspension was working (and the
lack of squeaks and rattles), until I took it around a corner at ~80km/h
pot-holes included and found myself stepping a bit sideways towards several
trees (Note to self...I'm not in a Subaru and this is not a CAMS sanctioned
event instead the standard tyres do not have a lot of bite on the shoulders
and this is a relatively heavy vehicle). When at a local pit used by
motorcross wannabees I proceeded up and down a few of the hills, but it
turned out to be all a bit too easy. The steepest would probably be in the
vicinity of 40 degrees and with the auto using low range was really
pointless but of course I tried it out anyway, and what a low range it is,
combined with rear and centre diff-locks engaged this thing could climb
rocky walls. I tried my best to get some wheels in the air but the terrain
simply wouldn't do it justice.
The curious thing about about this model is who it's main competitors would
be. My first thought was the Cherokee, as the Landcruiser and Patrol are a
little larger with I believe better towing capacity. Certinally I have no
doubt that the H3 Adventure model would keep up with the best of them
off-road (the base model and the Luxury offer no diff-locks or the same
low-range). Not really a competitor for the big soft roaders as it lacks the
poke and your paying a premium for something that can actually go off-road.
Alas I fear that is where they will all end up though, dropping the kids off
at school.
If I was in the market for a useable 4WD and had $60k to spare I'd buy one
in a heartbeat except I'd have to put up with being "That poser in the
hummer"
Regards
James