Hummer Lite

We had said then that to really find out whether the H3 had the legendary Hummer genes was to spend more time with it and subject it to the harsh environ of the UAE desert and it was but a few days back that we did manage to pin down an example to bring you this report.

In a market where SUVs proliferate to inane levels and most are at best clones of each other with a distinct lack of individuality, the Hummer range stands tall (pun intended) and distinct like no other. The H3 continues in the footsteps of its brethren with its imposing profile that mark it out as truly one of the gang. Of Hummers, that is! It is a classic case of being big, yet small. It is an easy costume to wear every day.

Its brick like, upright profile screams Hummer, yet it is much in sync with comparable competition from other makes. With all its pedigree much in place, the H3 is smaller, than say; the Land Rover LR3 is all respects except height. It is compact, well by Hummer standards at least, and is friendlier doing the school run rather than rampaging through war zones. No wonder then, that women constitute a big chunk of H3 owners (well, at least Stateside) and the company is headed by a woman!

Mechanically, it is not a very sophisticated piece of machinery. One has to throw any preconceived notions out of the window and look at the H3 with clear eyes. This is no technological tour de force with sprinting prowess, rather, with all its machismo, is more akin to a cruiser.

After all, it is a SUV to be seen in, especially when one sees other brands dime to a dozen wherein their character gets a whole lot diluted. With an asking price starting from AED 115,000, Hummer hope to shift quite a number of H3s off their dealer forecourts and this can be seen by the fact that the dealer in UAE, Liberty Automobiles, has a long waiting list of wannabe Terminators lining up to be in a H3.

Off-road is where the H3 truly excels. This is again thanks to its intrinsic design, with Hummer officials proclaiming that the H3 has the best approach, breakover and departure angles of any mid-size SUV. And to prove it, they sent me up some crazy escarpments near Jebal Faya between Dubai and Sharjah during a ride and drive organized for local media. Now, I had already taken the H3 off-roading but to do what I did that day had never crossed my mind. Hiding my nervousness behind a mask of self confidence, I was absolutely gobsmacked at the agility and surefootedness of this baby Hummer.

Hummer, after all, has built its reputation on off-road supremacy and the H3 only follows in the deeply imbedded footprints of its siblings. With the transfer case set in 4Low Lock mode and the rear diff engaged this SUV can do well about everything. Sensational!

The H3 is a true Hummer in all senses of the word. It may be smaller, but then that is only better. It truly made me see things in a new perspective towards it. There are shortcomings, such as the uneven ride, the claustrophobic feeling in the cabin (thanks to the slit-like windows) and its vertical design. Parallel parking takes some doing as, in spite of those huge wing mirrors, rear vision is best accompanied with a prayer.

But on the flip side consider this: would you give up on a vehicle which can get you more looks; a brand that most aspire for to give the term standing out from the crowd a whole new twist; a dependable vehicle that can take you everywhere, even to the local supermarket; a chance to bling it up infinitely. So, would ya? I think not. And all this at a price that is not wallet busting - now that's the part which for me is a real clincher.