Car Gazing
New Hummer offers more creature comforts at half the price
By Derek Price
It's hard to imagine a vehicle less practical than the original Hummer.
Designed for the U.S. military, average families need it like a string
bikini on the North Pole. It's completely useless, except to scare evil
dictators with its oh-so-aggressive face and go-anywhere capability that
make ordinary SUVs look like Tonka trucks.
But, it does have one thing going for it: an attention-getting shape made
popular by movie stars, rap singers, pro football players and anybody else
who loves turning heads with a mobile chunk of iron.
For people who can't afford the original Hummer's stratospheric $110,000
price and who want a vehicle that actually can be used every day Hummer
has created the H2, a totally new off-road vehicle that shares nothing with
the original Humvee except its looks and appetite for rugged trails.
At $50,000, it's still a pricey vehicle that strains the necks of passersby,
but it has a spacious, amenity-filled interior that puts the H1 to shame.
While the H1's cabin was a stripped-down, totally unrefined, uncomfortable
space, the H2 can seat six people comfortably with modern features like
dual-zone climate control, power seats, and a fancy Bose stereo system.
It also has a much quieter cabin and a softer ride than the big Hummer,
though many better SUVs are available at its price if you don't do much
off-road driving. Plus, it probably has the lowest quality interior
materials of any $50,000 vehicle, with cheap-feeling plastic that is styled
nicely but feels flimsy and loose when touched.
If you don't mind expanses of plastic, the H2 is one of the best looking
SUVs at any price, as it captures the essence of H1's tough-guy appearance
and enormous proportions in a smaller and tidier package. Straight lines, a
frightening grille, and industrial-look side panels give it the presence of
an armored truck.
A 6.0-liter, 316-horsepower V8 engine pulls the 6,400-pound beast nicely,
allowing for great acceleration around town and decent passing capability on
the highway.
But, H2's mission is to be a competent off-road performer, not just a
wannabe designed for on-road comfort. On rough trails or climbing steep
hills, it feels among the most competent and controllable vehicles
available, especially with an air suspension package that helps in the
really tough spots.
Hummer claims the H2 can climb 16-inch steps, forge 20-inch streams, and
"paddle through deep sand or run over sandy surfaces in high-speed desert
conditions with remarkable ease."
Will many people do that? Probably not, but it's nice to know the new Hummer
is up to the same challenges that made the H1 famous.
More importantly, H2 represents a big step for Hummer and its partner,
General Motors. It shows a trend that brings more affordable interpretations
of the legendary Hummer to the masses, which ultimately will result in the
compact H3 in a couple of years, expected to be priced around $25,000.
In short, H2 is the first Hummer for the real world.
(Derek Price is a newspaper editor and freelance writer living in Texas.
Contact him at dprice@cargazingonline.com)
The above article is provided for the interest and entertainment of our visitors. The views expressed in this article are only those of the author, who is solely responsible for the content. AutoGuide.net does not endorse any of these views, and is not to be held responsible for any of the content provided in the above article.
Click here to read Derek's past articles!
If you have any questions or comments for Derek or the AutoGuide.net, please fill out this form.
|
