In addition to its mild lethargy, GM's 5-cylinder mill is a little on the abrasive side when pushed. It doesn't deliver the satisfying
 |
| After scaling an unusually high step-in for a midsize SUV, a comfortable driver's seat awaits in which the pilot will find a full array of instrumentation. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
refinement of a well-balanced inline or V6, but is without doubt smoother than most 4-cylinder powerplants and stronger throughout its powerband than typical 4-bangers. After scaling an unusually high step-in for a midsize SUV, a comfortable driver's seat awaits in which the pilot will find a full array of instrumentation in plain view and a set of logically positioned controls - logical except for the heated seat switch. Similar to the SSR and other GM vehicles, it's buried on the side of the seat base and can only be accessed by jamming a hand between the seat and the door. I found
 |
| The H3 offers plenty of space in the way of head, leg and shoulder room in its comfortable quarters. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
this struggle, which consistently snagged my watch, quite annoying.
Heated-seat blues aside, the H3 offers plenty of space in the way of head, leg and shoulder room in its comfortable quarters. Somewhat disconcerting upon initial entry is the diminished visibility available, or not available through the slim aperture of the side windows. The largest sheet of glass in the H3 is its optional moonroof. For comparison I measured the size of the old Land Rover Discovery's side glass and found it to be a good 18 cm (7 in) greater in vertical length than the H3's, the advantage of which is superior downward visibility allowing the examination of terrain passing beneath the vehicle while off-roading.
