While the H3 is based on the Colorado/Canyon, the similarities end at “based”.  The frame has been beefed up (fully boxed) and reinforced (three more cross-braces). It has also been shortened and the suspension mounting points completely reworked for maximum off-road prowlness (See, Colorado/H3 Frame Comparison, 7-26-05, http://www.gm-trucks.com/home/content/view/225/49/).  The suspension bits and rear axle are also completely unique to the H3.  The driving feel of the two only come as close as their similarly solid feel.  You’d never know the distant relation if GM didn’t tell you, as there’s no comparison.  Of course, the only people using the frame relation between the two to bash the H3 are the same ones stupid enough to label the H2 as a re-worked Tahoe.  See, visiting GM-Trucks.com actually makes you smarter (now you know, and knowing the half the battle).  The I5 engine is the same, but everything past the transmission is all new. A full time 4 wheel drive system propels the H3, with Hi4, Hi4_Lock, Low4_Lock, and Low4_Lock_Rear_Lock as your options. Also, unlike the H2, you can actually turn off the traction control in the H3 (which was something we had complained about in our H2 SUT Review, 3-07-05, http://www.gm-trucks.com/home/content/view/171/0/). 
Visibility is on the H3 takes some getting used to.  If you’ve never driven a HUMMER, the only way I can describe it is that you feel like you’re driving a shoe box. All windows are at a vertical angle, which is great for space, but sometimes has its visibility difficulties.  For example, the front windshield is so low and vertical; the rear-view mirror is almost exactly smack in the middle of the glass. This makes for a huge hard to see area right in the direction you’re looking the most, strait ahead.  This isn’t a huge deal, but does take time to compensate for mentally.  Thankfully, rear-view mirrors are “GM Truck Huge”, and make up for some of the visibility you lose with the short (but slick looking) windows.

Inside is where the H3 shines the most.  Our H3 has two tone black/morocco leather seats which have drawn comments from every single person who’s peaked inside.  Comfortable and supportive, we’ve traveled 17 hours strait in them, and had zero complaints.  There are not many vehicles you can say that about.  The center stack is pure genius.  Faux brushed aluminum surrounds the clean orange backlit radio and HVAC controls.  The instrument panel is clean and easy to read, however the fuel gauge is tilted slightly, making a quick read sometimes hard to accomplish.  Rear seats are hard on entry-exit, but once inside there’s plenty of space for two adults and a child.  I wouldn’t recommend placing three adults in the back unless they were extremely good friends.

We haven’t had a chance to do any challenging off-roading yet in the H3, but I did find time to bomb down a few dirt roads.  The H3 was extremely stable and well mannered.  Bumps when unloaded are slightly bouncy (usually to the side, not up and down), but not anything extreme for people used to driving trucks.  We’ve already added rubber floor mats all the way around to collect dirt and mud, along with plastic mud flaps to prevent paint chipping.  And believe me, with our huge off-road tires, those mud flaps are essential to good looking paint (if you’re anal about keeping your truck clean as much as I am).  We’re looking forward to a good New Hampshire winter to give the 4X4 system a proper workout.

In our few short weeks driving the H3 we’ve had people literally jumping out of moving cars to get a good look.  Even after a trip to the local mall, we came out to find someone taking pictures of it. With all the attention, we decided a vanity plate would suit the H3 well and ordered up “SILKHAN”, short for Silikhan, part of the name for the the company we use to manage this website and others.   We’re very much looking forward to our next 5 months with the H3. Look for monthly updates on how our time with the H3 is fairing.  While you’re here, check out our image library(http://www.gm-trucks.com/gallery) on our new H3 to see all the things talked about in this article. If you have any questions or requests for future updates, please feel free to shoot me an email @  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  I hope you all enjoy reading about this extremely unique vehicle and our experience owning one for 6 months.