2008 HUMMER H3 Quality Review

The 2008 HUMMER H3 sports a comfortable cabin that suffers from some visibility issues due to its unique design; engine noise is noticeable, too.

Edmunds touts the "comfortable seats" in the 2008 HUMMER H3 and says that this "tough truck" just might be ideal for a family who takes the occasional road trip. There is "ample legroom" with "decent support" in the HUMMER H3 2008 for those riding in the back, but those who are taller "may find themselves uncomfortably close to the roof." If you opt for the Alpha, MyRide.com says "those seated up front" will be "comfortable," plus there is "decent overall room and a padded center armrest." However, shorter passengers may have an issue getting up into the HUMMER H3. Also, the rear bench "lacks thigh support" for passengers, and the window sills are hard. The door armrests are plastic, and there is no center armrest.

ConsumerGuide praises the "large rubber-floored cargo area" in the HUMMER H3 2008, commenting it's "usefully shaped." However, the "side-opening single piece rear hatch is large and heavy"--problematic in tight spaces. Cars.com on the other hand appreciates it, noting it is "great for loading" and that the "cargo area is 37 inches tall and 42 inches wide," with a maximum length of 63 inches. Despite all the cargo room, however, interior storage in the cabin is "limited" with just the glove box, "tiny door pockets, and small center console." Edmunds reports, “Cargo capacity, at 29.5 cubic feet (seats up) and 55.7 cubes (seats folded) is below average for this class, though the side-hinged cargo door provides easy access.”

Edmunds says that the build quality on the HUMMER H3 2008 is merely "ok, but its competitors utilize nicer materials." According to Cars.com, the fit and finish of HUMMER H3 suffer compared to the H2, while Motor Trend reports the opposite: “Seating materials feel durable and are of higher quality than current H2 interiors." MyRide.com is less forgiving, calling the plastic covering on the back sides of the front seats "crummy"; Cars.com notes, “The backs of the rear seats are finished in hard plastic, which should make it easy to slide cargo on them, but also makes them easier to scratch.” However, Consumer Guide argues that the "assembly of test models has been very good."

As for engine noise in the H3's cabin, ConsumerGuide says it is "surprisingly well-muffled" and there is "Generally little highway wind noise." Edmunds says the “low, muscular hum from the V8's exhaust is just about right for a butch SUV like the H3” but calls the five-cylinder H3 “raspy.”