H3 FAQ - Vehicle Comparison

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Here are some comparisons of H3 specs with other midsize SUVs. I included the H1 and H2 just for grins

Each model is a 4x4 with options specific to its model year. I chose the most powerful engine in the most aggressive off-road package, with all towing and safety options available from the factory. So they're all factory specs (no aftermarket) gleaned from manufacturers or public sources.

Most of the specs are straight out of the books. Some are calculations for a combined result. For example, given the gear ratios and tire size, you can calculate vehicle speed at a given RPM.

Crawl Speed - estimate engine braking at 1500 RPM in 1st gear and 4-lo ... calc is less accurate for autos because of torque converter slippage.

Crawl Speed @ max HP - calculates the crawl speed using the RPM at maximum HP. Ignores benefit of torque converter.

Crawl Speed @ max torque - calculates the crawl speed using the RPM at maximum torque. Ignores benefit of torque converter. Also, does a disservice to engines with good low-end torque like the I5, compared to others with a more bell-shaped torque curve.

[Wisha Haddan H3]

The Agility category evaluates common off-road specs. There are lots of factors I can't quantify (or it's too hard to find data on) ... like body roll, shock dampening rates, spring rates, steering types and ratios, etc.

The "Max Vertical Obstacle" calculation is my own estimate based on tire height (Tire diameter - 1 inch / 2). It's really just a guess because it ignores variables like approach angles, overhangs, wheel travel, tire tread, etc. But it's still interesting to compare.

[Wisha Haddan H3]

There's more to an SUV than its off-road prowess, so here's my assessment of vehicle "utility".

The City and Highway Ranges are calculated from the EPA estimate and the total fuel capacity, minus a 2 gallon reserve.

The "Behind 1st", "2nd", and "3rd row" numbers show the cargo space with and without seats folded (or removed)

[Wisha Haddan H3]

The Track Width values were taken from manufacturer sources, so they don't all mean the same thing. Some measured from the outside tire edge and some from the tire midpoint. I didn't feel like calculating tire width from the P/LT rating and correcting them, so they are what the manufacturer says they are

[Wisha Haddan H3]

And last but not least, safety.

Any values marked n/a were untested by NHTSA.

For the Static Stability Factor, I used the NHTSA numbers when they tested a vehicle with the offroad tire option. In many cases they didn't, so I had to recalculate it using their formula, but adding the extra height from the tires. (btw, higher SSF numbers mean more stability)

Crash ratings are given for the NHTSA test vehicle, which was not always the offroad version.

d - driver side
p - passenger side
sf - front side curtain
sr - rear side curtain

f - front diff
t - fuel tank
tc - transfer case
tx - transmission

[H3slate]

Wow! You have been busy. This is all great info!

One comment, I have been in the back of an FJ, and there is no way that it has more space than the H3. My legs were pressed against the front seat, and the front seat was all the way forward. In the H3, at least I can be behind the wheel and have a 6 ft tall person sit behind me in the back.

we got numbers now!

[Idaho-Hummer]

You have way to much time on your hands!!!!


but thanks for the info

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Thanks guys. I'm glad it's going to be useful. I started collecting these specs in 2005, when I started looking at getting an SUV. I wanted the best out there, and I wanted solid numbers to help decide. Of course, the H3 won

But if you think this list was long, here's my complete list, including compact and full-size SUVs

2005 Chevy Blazer ZR2 (auto)
2005 Chevy Blazer ZR2 (man)
2006 Chevy Trailblazer LT 4x4 I6
2006 Chevy Trailblazer LT 4x4 V8
1992 Daihatsu Rocky SE (man)
2006 Dodge Durango Adventurer
2003 Dodge Durango R/T
2003 Ford Explorer Sport (auto)
2003 Ford Explorer Sport (man)
2006 Hummer H1 Alpha Adventure
2006 Hummer H2 Adventure
2006 Hummer H3 Advent 3.5L (auto)
2006 Hummer H3 Advent 3.5L (man)
2007 Hummer H3 Advent 3.7L (auto)
2007 Hummer H3 Advent 3.7L (man)
2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport (auto)
2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport (man)
2001 Isuzu Vehicross 4x4
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4 (auto)
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4 (man)
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd
2006 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 (auto)
2006 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 (man)
2007 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubi (auto)
2007 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubi (man)
2007 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubi Ultd (auto)
2007 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubi Ultd (man)
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubi (auto)
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubi (man)
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubi Ultd (auto)
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubi Ultd (man)
2006 Kia Sorento Lux (auto)
2006 Kia Sorento Lux (man)
2006 Land Rover LR3 SE
2005 Nissan Pathfinder Off Road
2005 Nissan Xterra Off Road (auto)
2005 Nissan Xterra Off Road (man)
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Prem (auto)
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Prem (man)
1995 Suzuki Samurai
2000 Toyota 4runner (auto)
2005 Toyota 4runner Sport V8
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (auto)
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (man)
1999 Toyota Land Cruiser
2006 VW Touareg Option 3

[ChiHummer3]

Wow! That takes "doing your homework" to a whole new level!

Great work!

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Originally Posted by H3slate

Wow! You have been busy. This is all great info!

One comment, I have been in the back of an FJ, and there is no way that it has more space than the H3. My legs were pressed against the front seat, and the front seat was all the way forward. In the H3, at least I can be behind the wheel and have a 6 ft tall person sit behind me in the back.

Oh, that spec is for cargo room with the seats folded flat. I'll note that in the description.

And you're right about the FJ's seats, they're not only small, it's a real a b!tch to get in and out of those suicide doors.

[usetosellhummer]

you get an A+

[blindzebra]

great work, but it's time to get a girlfriend I think!

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

great work, but it's time to get a girlfriend I think!

Got one! I did most of this work over the last year or two. Hmmmm ... but that might explain my divorce

[Wisha Haddan H3]

This table shows the HP and torque generated per liter in various engines.

It may be true that there's no replacement for displacement, but engine size doesn't tell the whole story. For example, the 5.9 liter Hemi in the Durango R/T is 4th largest in the list, but is dead last in HP/L and 2nd to last in torque/L.

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Here's the same info in a chart sorted by HP/liter

[Diabolus]

How about something comparing the H3 to other SUVs similar in weight with 0-60 and MPG stats? Curious to see how other SUVs close in weight to the H3 make out in acceleration and MPG.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Good work! Keep it up!

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Originally Posted by Diabolus

How about something comparing the H3 to other SUVs similar in weight with 0-60 and MPG stats? Curious to see how other SUVs close in weight to the H3 make out in acceleration and MPG.

Well, I don't have 0-60 times, but here's the MPG-weight comparison.

The results are fairly predictable, but they all get nearly the same mileage. I think it's hilarious that eco-terrorists (like the ones that race to cut me off in Boulder) hate the H3, but laud the FJC for its "better" gas mileage. They're usually the ones commuting 30 miles from their mountain cabins and running snow tires all year

[Wisha Haddan H3]

The comment about 0-60 reminds me of a chart on acceleration I was working on last year. I was trying to develop a chart that would show a vehicle's ability to accelerate its own mass up a variety of grades in various gears. Crl 40% is crawl ratio up a 40% grade. 1st 0% is 1st gear x axle ratio with no grade (acceration from a stop). Crz 0% is the acceleration in the 1:1 gear with no grade (acceleration at highway speeds without shifting gears).

I can't vouch for its accuracy, I know the units are wrong, it assumes maximum torque is available immediately, it ignores the torque converter, and on and on ... but here ya go anyway.