Very Capable SUV on and off road

Author's Rating:

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.

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.