Very Capable SUV on and off road
Pros:
4-wheel drive
Locking differential optional
Easy to drive
Cons:
Gas mileage
Slow acceleration
not as much space as you think
The Bottom Line:
If you need a truck, this is a good vehicle to have. If you do not need a truck, this might not be the best vehicle for you.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I've had the H3 with the luxury and towing package for about 8 months now. I love having an SUV that is actually capable of off-road and bad weather conditions. In heavy snow and ice, the truck felt completely stable and there was loads of grip. Kick off the stability/traction control system, activate 4-wheel Hi Lock mode on the differential, and it will be extremely easy to control sideways around a turn (in the snow).
That being said, there are a few negative aspects of the truck. First, rear visibility is terrible. You can't see any smaller cars 10 feet or closer behind you. You can move the side mirrors around a bit to alleviate this, but then you create more of a blind spot for yourself on the road and highway.
Gas mileage is not what the EPA rating is. I drove the truck at 60mph on the highway through an entire tank, and couldn't break 17mpg. The car just had an oil change and tire rotation/balancing.
Acceleration after 30mph is dismal. It takes forever to merge onto a highway at a decent speed. Low-end torque is quite adequate though.
Lastly, the transmission could use some smoothing out. There is a pronounced lag between shifts and it can get a bit on the rough side at times. It doesn't let you forget you are driving a truck.
Overall, I am happy with the H3 as I do need to carry large items decently often. And if you only need to have 4 people in the car, it is extremely comfortable for all passengers.