ANAHEIM, Calif. - Icons of masculinity. Success symbols of the nouveau riche. Conveyance of choice for our nation's military. It's no wonder that men have always longed for Hummers, and it comes as no surprise that the majority of Hummer buyers are male. Just 25 percent of Hummer H2 buyers are women, and the number is much lower for the rugged original, the nasty Hummer H1. But that's about to change with the introduction of the right-sized 2006 Hummer H3, which made its world debut at the 2004 California Auto Show this week.

The Hummer H3 might be the first in history to appeal as much to women as it does to men. Looking like a junior version of the massive Hummer H2 (we won't call it a Baby Hummer, though that nickname is likely inevitable), the 2006 Hummer H3 is based upon the rugged ladder-frame architecture of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups. Compared to the H2, the H3 is 16.9 inches shorter in length, six inches shorter in height and 6.5 inches narrower. This translates to a vehicle much better sized for urban warfare.