View Full Version : Car And Driver rates H-3 last.
In a test that compared the H-3 with the Cherokee, a new Toyota and an X-terra the Hummer came in last. While it was rated the best off road, they didn't like the power, the way it handled on the highway and weight. I don't agree with the handling part, I don't see what they are talking about. Mine runs goes down the interstate just fine. The H-3 holds the most gas and gets some of the best mileage. If all I did was drive down the highway, I'd get the Jeep. But the H-3 is the best stock off road vehicle on the market today. So I would not of rated it first, but last?
1COOLH3
03-01-2006, 02:14 PM
You mean "Foreign Car and Driver" at least thats whatt they should be called because they NEVER rate American vehicles very high.
In my opinion they are nothing more than an advertising brochure for foreign cars.
C&D just sucks period! They usually give the highest ratings to whoever is spending the most on ads.
CampMaster
03-01-2006, 02:36 PM
you fell into the trap many do. Don't worry it got me at first, too. You failed to realize that it was rated by <span class="ev_code_RED">CAR</span> and Driver not <span class="ev_code_GREEN">TRUCK</span> and Driver.
Huge differnce that many never notice. They rate CARS. What works in the pavement princess world! Not what really works.
entheos
03-02-2006, 06:55 PM
I get Car & Driver (read: they send me it though I never pay for it) and before sorting it into the trash I sometimes see what they say about the 1 or 2 American vehicles in it. Every article about an american vehicle has more than a few slights for no reason. And their comparison's are predictable. I remember that they said they went 4 wheelin' at someplace that all of the vehicles could go and when it came to spec's, crawl ratio & approach/departure angles were only mentioned for the H3, no comparison than to the others. And the windshield sounded like some waterfall or something, the back seats rated last and more opinions. Car & Driver is very short on facts and long on opinions, and their opinions were formed about 20 years ago and aren't changing and are anything but informed.
Also in Car & Driver recently was that they liked the Trailblazer SS, the only problem was that it was a Trailblazer. The brand new Denali was really nice except that it was expensive vehicle to haul only 4 adults (not true) and it would depreciate $20,000 in a year (not in Michigan). A long while ago they said the '67 Firebird was one of the ugliest vehicles ever.
I guess I should write a letter to their advertisers (= C&D) that I don't even want their rag for free.
poncho1965
03-02-2006, 07:17 PM
Car and Driver is what turned me on to the H3, in 2004 when they ran a short piece on GM testing the H3 at Rubicon. I don't remember them saying anything bad about it then, in fact I looked up that particular article online, and it helped me to chose the H3 over a Jeep Rubicon when I went 4WD shopping last December. I really enjoy the mag, but like most things in print, gotta keep it in perspective. Whatever they rate the H3, I still think I made the best choice in buying one.....
Surferjo
03-02-2006, 07:26 PM
I didnt read it but was it an off-road test or was it just a general SUV kind of thing?
poncho1965
03-02-2006, 09:17 PM
Here is the link:
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&a...d=8692&page_number=1 (http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=8692&page_number=1)
Surferjo
03-02-2006, 10:02 PM
Originally posted by poncho1965:
Here is the link:
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&a...d=8692&page_number=1 (http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=8692&page_number=1)
No I dont think thats it. That was pre-release off-road test of the H3. No other trucks involved.
entheos
03-03-2006, 12:00 AM
Originally posted by Surferjo:
I didnt read it but was it an off-road test or was it just a general SUV kind of thing?
They picked the SUV's with the best off-road credentials (except for the Rubicon, but I guess they had one from Jeep already) and then the ones that were the least of those off-road worthy won: 1. Exterra 2. Grand Cherokee 3. FJ40 4. H3. Sort of like Consumer Reports (and C&D) picking a uni-body pickup that doesn't tow or haul worth a darn, but it's comfortable.
I'll try to stop this ranting, but I DARE a car mag (or Cons. Rpts.) to put the vehicles owned by their writers in the front. That has the most to do with it. I became Regis' biggest fan when he asked a Consumer Reports writer on his show what he drove. You don't get journalism like this from ABC news anymore... (It was a Corolla I think.)
jp's-h3
03-03-2006, 12:54 AM
Car and Driver does not know a damm thing about off-road rigs. It's a guessing game to them!
NEOCON1
03-03-2006, 01:27 AM
C&D sucks the biggie http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif
westhillsat
03-03-2006, 04:21 AM
Originally posted by NEOCON1:
C&D sucks the biggie http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif
X2
HummBebe
03-03-2006, 04:22 AM
Thats not multi tasking http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif
westhillsat
03-03-2006, 04:46 AM
tis too and pad while i'm back here http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
XM DUDE
03-03-2006, 04:41 PM
Consumer remorse rated the Hummer brand last in realibility and quality, hmmm are they biased to forgen cars?
The Green Lantern
03-03-2006, 04:58 PM
who cares about them http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif, used to buy the magazine but now I don't.
HMMWV
03-03-2006, 05:09 PM
Originally posted by XM DUDE:
Consumer remorse rated the Hummer brand last in realibility and quality, hmmm are they biased to forgen cars?
Are you really suprised at this?
The pre Alpha H1 IS VERY unreliable. Everything that can go wrong will, just read HML.
The H2 is better but still has reliability and quality issues.
GM definitely made major quality improvements with the H3 and it is definitely the most reliable HUMMER made to date but it still doesn't compare to a 4Runner in reliability.
Edspad
03-03-2006, 09:38 PM
Originally posted by HMMWV:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by XM DUDE:
Consumer remorse rated the Hummer brand last in realibility and quality, hmmm are they biased to forgen cars?
Are you really suprised at this?
The pre Alpha H1 IS VERY unreliable. Everything that can go wrong will, just read HML.
The H2 is better but still has reliability and quality issues.
GM definitely made major quality improvements with the H3 and it is definitely the most reliable HUMMER made to date but it still doesn't compare to a 4Runner in reliability. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I would agree with your statement in part.
add these to the dicussion
(1)How long has the H3 been on the market?
(2) Is the Toyota 4runner in the same class as the H3
(3) Is there anything in the H1 alpha class on the market?
I buy what i like, and if a magazine or manufacture stops providing a product I desire, I show my displeasure with my pocket book.
HMMWV
03-04-2006, 03:54 AM
(1)How long has the H3 been on the market?
Not long, but we can still compare initial qualities.
(2) Is the Toyota 4runner in the same class as the H3
Yes. http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6126
(3) Is there anything in the H1 alpha class on the market?
G-Wagen and maybe Range Rover
Originally posted by Edspad:I buy what i like
Agreed
Edspad
03-04-2006, 02:09 PM
Im sorry HMMWV but i believe your still wrong on two counts.
(1) Jury is still out (you most likely will be correct though)
(2) The H3 is a better 4x4 than the Toyota4runner out of the box.
(3)The G-wagon and range rover are not in the same class of the H1.(how many G-wagons have you seen blizing across the sand with a 50 cal mounted to the back?)
Outlook and expectations.
Some H3 owners (including myself)Look at the H3 for its off road capabilities first and other issues second. Turning a wrench or replacing tie rods is part of the experience and is expected.
My personal outlook towards Vehicles is most likely different from yours. if i was going to purchase a Vehicle for a loved one and i wasnt going to be around to assist in the care of this said Vehicle, then it mostly would be a honda. on the other hand i have no problem with my wife driving my 1995 mustang Gt (http://www.geocities.com/edspad/yopony.html)(last of the Boss 302 push rod V8) its got 60k miles and has had a few problems http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Like politics there seems to be no middle ground. Against or in Favor, left or right
Car n Driver is full of crap. Hummer and Mustang magazines rule
DennisAJC
03-04-2006, 02:30 PM
Being voted "Best Off Road" and last on road is a definite compliment. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
These boys are made to shine offroad.
Of course the others will be better on road. They're MALL RUNNERS. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
HMMWV
03-04-2006, 02:53 PM
I never said the 4Runner was better than the H3. I only said they were in the same class.
I've never seen any .50 cal equipped H1 blazing across the deseret neither. That role is reserved for HUMVEEs and military G-Wagens. HUMVEEs and mil G-Wagens are used by many countries, including the US.
Actually we're not that different. I'm only into HUMMERs (since the mid 90s) for their offroad capabilities, not because of their looks or exclusivity or anything else. I also do enjoy working on my vehicles.
I only stated what I though was obvious, the HUMMER brand is not known for high reliability or quality.
One of the fortunate few that got a factory tour before it was shut down after 9/11
thedieter
03-04-2006, 10:58 PM
No matter what R&T or C&D says, I wouldn't buy an exterra! I was set on getting a sunroof and with that ugly hump in the roof, a sunroof is not available.
Today, we were at the mall (yes we do drive it to the Mall), and we saw an H3 in the handi-capped parking spaces. It even had a brush guard and I thought that it would be interesting to talk to the owner. Unfortunately, they were not around.
Best regards, Happy Jack
poncho1965
03-06-2006, 08:57 PM
Ok, finally got the mag and saw what it said. I am familiar with those trails and yes the H3 will do those with ease. I don't view them as being overly critical of the H3, but if you bought it for mainly onroad use their complaints are valid. For long road trips I'll chose my Odyssey every time. But then again the H3 is more fun all the way around...onroad, offroad, I like it anyway! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Ok, finally got the mag and saw what it said. I am familiar with those trails and yes the H3 will do those with ease. I don't view them as being overly critical of the H3, but if you bought it for mainly onroad use their complaints are valid. For long road trips I'll chose my Odyssey every time. But then again the H3 is more fun all the way around...onroad, offroad, I like it anyway! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
Well put. I thought C&D was very complimentary to H3. I would get a sedan for on-road driving. Here's the link: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=10776
BTW, apparently Motor Trend gave first place to H3 in comparison with Liberty Renegade, FJ, and (yes) the X-terra. Anyone read this article? Too bad there is no link to the article: http://www.motortrend.com/toc/112_0604_toc/index.html
BTW, apparently Motor Trend gave first place to H3 in comparison with Liberty Renegade, FJ, and (yes) the X-terra. Anyone read this article? Too bad there is no link to the article: http://www.motortrend.com/toc/112_0604_toc/index.html
I thought I read that one, and they put the H3 in Third, behind the FJ and X-terra. The Liberty was last.
And I think they once again said, "The H3 has the most flex, is like a mountain goat, but we like our cars like our women, ugly and foreign."
Now somone, I think Truck Trend, put the H2 as the Best Ultimate SUV, on and off-road. They H3 didn't win it's category however.
usetosellhummer
06-02-2006, 06:37 PM
Big money will get you help with the rags, I was in meeting listening to the favorable reviews that were going to come out well before the rag was out. They know and make the car companies pay. It's a love or hate some people like vanilla, some prefer meat,
Long live Hummer!
F the rags
NoMoGMPG
06-02-2006, 07:23 PM
I never said the 4Runner was better than the H3. I only said they were in the same class.
I've never seen any .50 cal equipped H1 blazing across the deseret neither. That role is reserved for HUMVEEs and military G-Wagens. HUMVEEs and mil G-Wagens are used by many countries, including the US.
Actually we're not that different. I'm only into HUMMERs (since the mid 90s) for their offroad capabilities, not because of their looks or exclusivity or anything else. I also do enjoy working on my vehicles.
I only stated what I though was obvious, the HUMMER brand is not known for high reliability or quality.
One of the fortunate few that got a factory tour before it was shut down after 9/11
Oh, I don't know. I've got close to 100K on my H1, I drive it to offroad events far far away from home, I beat the crap out of it, then I drive it home. Seems that is the definition of 'reliabilty'. (Although I usually have to realign/reseal/tighten something from the crap beating afterwards ;) )
Keep in mind, when people post about issues on the HML, it's usually those people who are lax on mainainence, or chronic complainers. Some aren't, but from my experience, it is usually people who expect a 100K offroad vehicle to be like their other 100k road vehicles when it comes to comfort/noise/fit/finish. They are just being unrealistic.
Dave
lance-n
06-03-2006, 12:02 AM
Oh, I don't know. I've got close to 100K on my H1, I drive it to offroad events far far away from home, I beat the crap out of it, then I drive it home. Seems that is the definition of 'reliabilty'. (Although I usually have to realign/reseal/tighten something from the crap beating afterwards ;) )
Keep in mind, when people post about issues on the HML, it's usually those people who are lax on mainainence, or chronic complainers. Some aren't, but from my experience, it is usually people who expect a 100K offroad vehicle to be like their other 100k road vehicles when it comes to comfort/noise/fit/finish. They are just being unrealistic.
Dave
Dave,
After reading the description of your H1, I gotta see a pic of it, PLEASE.
FutureBeachBum
06-03-2006, 05:05 AM
Actually, it was this review that really got me thinking about the H3. It was this quote at the beginning of the H3 review.
At the end of 2.5 days of dust, dirt, and rocks, each editor was asked, ?If you had to make that same trip by yourself, which vehicle would you choose?? Unanimous reply: the H3.
The part I disagree with was this...
At speed, the wind roar around that pancake-flat windshield sounded like Victoria Falls
I don't have this problem at all, sounds like they had a bad seal around the windshield.
Yes, the H3 does not have the acceleration of some of the others, but we all knew that going in. It's adequate for everyday driving, but it's not a sprinter.
The other factor that they didn't mention was the general fun factor. No matter how you slice or dice it, the H3 is NOT BORING, and in my book that counts for a lot.
Yeah, I find the H3 very quiet on the highway.
Anti-BlInG
06-03-2006, 04:47 PM
You guys are digging way too deeeep. With a magazine titled "CAR and driver", dont expect a good TRUCK review.
NEOCON1
06-03-2006, 05:41 PM
Being voted "Best Off Road" and last on road is a definite compliment. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
These boys are made to shine offroad.
Of course the others will be better on road. They're MALL RUNNERS. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
that sums it up pretty damn well :D :cool:
NEOCON1
06-03-2006, 05:45 PM
Lance heres a pic of NoMo leadin the pack :D
MajorGeek
06-09-2006, 02:59 AM
Well, if it ranked best off road, thats what the Hummer is all about. Mission accomplished. Ever driven a Jeep Wrangler? Yuch.
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