| The 2007 Hummer H3 is smaller than the Cadillac | | | | version and featured the Corvette's V8 engine. |
| Escalade, the Toyota Highlander, and the Ford | | | | Two years later, the first civilian Hummers were |
| Explorer - but it hasn't lost any of the luxurious | | | | delivered and were much different from their |
| panache associated with larger SUV's. In fact, the | | | | military cousins. For starters, the "civvies" included |
| 2007 Hummer H3 has been re-born into a gentler, | | | | insulation, sound deadening, and a |
| kinder Hummer for the modern world, boasting | | | | semi-comfortable interior. However, the price of |
| fuel-efficiency of 16 mpg city, and 20 mpg | | | | $50,000 to $90,000 put it in an exclusive |
| highway (not bad for a SUV), without | | | | category, out of reach for most people. |
| compromising the brash look or the off-road | | | | For 2007, the Hummer H3 has been substantially |
| prowess of its higher price cousins: the H1 and H2. | | | | redesigned to meet the needs of a more |
| Critics who once slammed the Hummer for being | | | | demanding public. As such, the 2007 Hummer H3 |
| big, ostentatious, expensive, and a power-tripping | | | | is a very accessible vehicle that's easy to get into |
| fantasy miss the point - for $28,935 you can now | | | | and drive. Once behind the wheel, you may easily |
| get a well-equipped truck uniquely made for truck | | | | be fooled into believing you're inside a more |
| lovers. In addition, the comfortable leather seats, | | | | expensive Range Rover. There is plenty of room |
| spacious inner cabin, the 220 horsepower engine, | | | | for five adults and the H3's bucket seats are well |
| and bodacious exterior suggests the 2007 | | | | supportive and extremely comfortable for long |
| Hummer H3 is a lot more sophisticated than other | | | | trips. The rear seats fold up, resulting in 55.7 cubic |
| SUV's on the road. | | | | feet of cargo space. The rugged exterior, |
| Historically, we can trace the Hummer's beginning | | | | combined with its comfortable interior makes the |
| to 1979 when the US military was looking for a | | | | Hummer H3 a very desirable niche SUV. |
| new general-purpose vehicle to efficiently replace | | | | The Hummer H3 is really a tight vehicle that |
| the Jeep. Although the Jeep was the motorized | | | | communicates the responsive feel of the road on |
| symbol of the army during Word War II, and the | | | | smooth and rough terrain. The welded, |
| Korean War, by the 1970s it had become | | | | ladder-type frame is based on the Chevrolet |
| obsolete. As such, a call went out for the | | | | Colorado, and makes handling the Hummer H3 |
| development of a High Mobility Multi-Purpose | | | | much tighter than it should. There are no rattles |
| Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) to meet the army's | | | | to be heard that may be otherwise expected of |
| need for moving troops and light equipment to | | | | a more utilitarian vehicle. The Hummer H3 has |
| from the battlefield. In July 1980, AM General's | | | | bridged the gap between rural trails and urban |
| prototype Hummer was chosen over two other | | | | living. |
| military contractors: Chrysler Defense and | | | | Powering the 2007 Hummer H3 is a lighter |
| Teledyne Continental. Based on a steel frame with | | | | 3.5-liter, 220 horsepower engine that combines |
| an aluminum and fiberglass body, the first | | | | performance with fuel economy. The 2007 H3 |
| Hummer sported a fully independent suspension, | | | | achieves 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg highway. |
| and a General Motors 370-inch diesel V8 engine. It | | | | A five-speed manual transmission is standard and |
| produced 150 horses and was able to reach top | | | | the optional four-speed automatic delivers an |
| speed of 60 mph. An automatic transmission put | | | | impressive 225 pound-feet of low-end torque at |
| the power to the ground through an all wheel | | | | 2800 rpm. By offering more torque lower in the |
| drive system with geared hubs. The tires that | | | | rpm, you can feel more precise control for |
| propelled the vehicle were 36 inches tall and air | | | | off-road handling in hard to reach places. The |
| pressure could be adjusted from within the | | | | 17-inch high wheel clearance further makes it |
| cockpit. As such, the first Hummer was a design | | | | possible for the Hummer H3 to go where few |
| and engineering marvel. Today there are more | | | | SUVs dare to roam. |
| than 20 versions optimized for specific military | | | | The only downside to owning the 2007 Hummer |
| applications. | | | | H3 is that the four-wheel drive is permanently |
| The Hummer was introduced to the American | | | | engaged and the stability control does not come |
| public in 1990, with the start of Operation Desert | | | | as standard equipment, but is available as an |
| Storm. The TV coverage showed U.S. Special | | | | option. The 2007 Hummer H3 comes equipped |
| Forces driving the Hummer to action in Kuwait | | | | with anti-lock brakes (ABS), dual front airbags, |
| and Iraq. That same year, movie star Arnold | | | | and an exceptionally strong frame for enhanced |
| Schwarzenegger pulled up in one at the Academy | | | | safety. Head curtain and side airbags can also be |
| Awards. His custom Hummer was the first civilian | | | | purchased as options. |