Base and the Alpha - and there’s quite a difference between them. The Base trim is powered by a 3.7L 242 hp I5 with a 5-speed manual transmission (optional 4-speed auto) while the Alpha features a 5.7L 300hp V8 with the 4-speed auto transmission standard. The H3T is classified as a mid-sized truck and both trims are all-wheel-driven. In addition, mad traction is derived from standard 32-inch tires, skid shields and even a system for assisting starts on hills. Both front and rear locking differentials accentuate the performance of sport-tuned shock absorbers to deliver a Hummer-smooth ride that is bursting with handling ability.

The 2009 H3T is heavy - 6000 pounds of heavy in fact. Both trims measure 212.7″ x 75″ x 72.1″ (L, W, H) and feature a heighty 9.5″ ground clearance. Luxury features like OnStar road assistance, XM Satellite Radio, and BlueTooth controls are standard. Stock safety features include electronic stability and traction control systems, front and side curtain airbags, ABS braking, seat belt pretensioners, tire pressure monitors and a state-of-the-art security system. There are no currently-available NHTSA frontal crash test ratings posted for the H3T.

MSRPs range from $30,750 up to $36,015 - surprisingly less than many people expect when discussing the Hummer name. Although not specifically designed for such, the H3T can tow up to 4000 pounds and haul 1090. Fuel efficiency has been improved over the years and now is rated at 14/18 mpg city/highway.

The bed is only 5 feet long, but again, we must remember that these SUTs are not meant for construction work. That doesn’t stop it from hauling full plywood sheets though - or 2 separate dirt bikes - or even a snowmobile. They are geared more for style and flash. People definitely like to pimp out their H3Ts - savoring the looks they get when cruising strips across the globe.

The H3 is constructed in Shreveport, LA, in the same plant as the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks.

Hummer took on the international market in 2006, with select importers in Europe and other markets. The international version H3 is now being produced in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, for local use as well as export to Australia, Europe, Japan, and the Middle East. In addition, the H2 has been produced in Kaliningrad, Russia by Avtotor since June 2004, strictly for local use. Today, the Hummer is represented by roughly 300 dealers in 34 countries. A little more than half of those dealers are in the US.

The first civilian version of the Hum-Vee was made available to the public in 1995 under the name Hummer, allegedly because Arnold Schwarzenegger asked them to. (The rumor is that he was impressed by a convoy of HMMWVs that he saw while filming Kindergarten Cop.) Three years later, AM General sold the brand name to General Motors. Even though they continued to manufacture the vehicles, GM took over the responsibility for marketing and distribution.

However impressive it might be on the road, the SUT is at its best off road. Going up and down 60% slopes, across 40% slopes, through water 20 inches deep or over 16 inch vertical walls is all grist for the mill for this powerful machine. The SUT may be classed as a pickup, but the truth is, it just isn’t like anything else.

Powered by a 6.2 liter V8 engine, the SUT generates 393 horsepower and can tow over 8,000 pounds. There is only one transmission available, a six-speed automatic with overdrive, tow/haul mode and tap up/down shifting.

It’s the pickup design that makes it all work. In its natural configuration, the bed is serviceable, but small. However, you can power the rear window all the way up to the front seats, giving a true pickup feel and providing a four-foot by six-foot bed.

You might think such a powerhouse would be all work and no play. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The SUT comes in three trim styles: the basic SUT, the Adventure and the Luxury. OnStar, Bluetooth, XM radio and navigation and rear seat DVD with remote are just a few of the goodies available. Of course, four-wheel drive goes without saying.

The SUT is built like a tank. Based on a combination of two GM truck frames, with special enhancements thrown in, the frame alone may be its best safety feature. However, it’s not the only one. There are airbags all around, a rollover sensor, single wheel traction control, electronic stability control, daytime running lights and even a dual-note, high low horn.

With all this going for it, can there be anything against it? Yes, there can. The SUT draws pretty much the same complaints as the H2. To start with, it’s expensive to buy and expensive to drive, with a base price of $59,395, up to almost $70,000 base price for the Luxury. And it gets about 10 mpg, which isn’t much even when you use flex fuels, which it can.

As safe as the SUT is, there is one knock- the windows. While they’re improved from the original H2’s windows, they’re still small. Beyond that, the very safety of the SUT can make it dangerous for other vehicles in a crash.

The SUT may make seem to make little sense with America’s current economy and fuel situation. But the truth remains that I would be a “flat, lyin’ cur dog” if I told you the 2009 Hummer H2 SUT was anything but fun in the driver’s seat.

MSRPs range from $30,750 up to $36,015 - surprisingly less than many people expect when discussing the Hummer name. Although not specifically designed for such, the H3T can tow up to 4000 pounds and haul 1090. Fuel efficiency has been improved over the years and now is rated at 14/18 mpg city/highway.

The bed is only 5 feet long, but again, we must remember that these SUTs are not meant for construction work. That doesn’t stop it from hauling full plywood sheets though - or 2 separate dirt bikes - or even a snowmobile. They are geared more for style and flash. People definitely like to pimp out their H3Ts - savoring the looks they get when cruising strips across the globe.

There are two trims of Hummer H3T available: the Base and the Alpha - and there’s quite a difference between them. The Base trim is powered by a 3.7L 242 hp I5 with a 5-speed manual transmission (optional 4-speed auto) while the Alpha features a 5.7L 300hp V8 with the 4-speed auto transmission standard. The H3T is classified as a mid-sized truck and both trims are all-wheel-driven. In addition, mad traction is derived from standard 32-inch tires, skid shields and even a system for assisting starts on hills. Both front and rear locking differentials accentuate the performance of sport-tuned shock absorbers to deliver a Hummer-smooth ride that is bursting with handling ability.

The 2009 H3T is heavy - 6000 pounds of heavy in fact. Both trims measure 212.7″ x 75″ x 72.1″ (L, W, H) and feature a heighty 9.5″ ground clearance. Luxury features like OnStar road assistance, XM Satellite Radio, and BlueTooth controls are standard. Stock safety features include electronic stability and traction control systems, front and side curtain airbags, ABS braking, seat belt pretensioners, tire pressure monitors and a state-of-the-art security system. There are no currently-available NHTSA frontal crash test ratings posted for the H3T.

Then there’s that Hummer style - unparalleled by any other vehicle. The H3T is really a stand-alone vehicle. It’s difficult to compare it to any other SUV or truck available because it is just so unique. Looking like a cross between a Jeep, a vintage Suburban and something from a futuristic military movie, the 2009 Hummer H3T is without rivals. When you drive a H3T, you have a sense of being special - different. You sit above other vehicles - feeling like you could drive right overtop of them if you took the notion. Of course, the H3T is a solid seller. Buyers sacrifice stellar fuel ratings for that unequaled Hummer pizzazz - and they do it happily.

The latest offering from the Hummer line will continue in the tradition of its predecessors. The all new Hummer H3T will make its debut for the new model year 2009.

The Hummer was originally designed for use by the military to transport troops and light equipment over rough terrain. In 1992, AM General introduced a civilian version of this off road beast. Although not everyone could afford it, everyone seemed to be impressed with this latest addition to the growing SUV market. One of the most attractive features of the Hummer was the fact that it retained its distinctive appearance that made it recognizable as a military vehicle. In 1999, General Motors bought the rights to the Hummer name. They were responsible for the marketing and distribution of the vehicle that was still produced by AM General.

The original Hummer production vehicle was known as the H1, which was produced until 2006. GM began to realize that the H1 wasn’t as practical as it was cool. Most people couldn’t justify dropping that kind of cash on a vehicle they couldn’t do much with, or keep fuel in. These realizations lead GM to develop smaller versions of the Hummer, which retained the unique appearance of the original. These were the H2 and H3, which are still in production today. The H3 is actually the best selling model in the Hummer line. This is due, in large part, to the fact that it is smaller and more practical to the actual car buying public.

Now, with the falling sales of most SUVs, GM is looking to inject some life into their own line. This is where the Hummer H3T comes in. Basically, the H3T is built on the same platform as the H3, with the exception of a 22.3 inch longer wheel base that allows them to accommodate a 5 foot cargo bed. That’s right; there is now a Hummer truck. This design is in an effort to combat reduced sales by introducing something with a little more versatility. The hope is that many people will be intrigued with the idea of a pickup truck that has the distinctive looks of a Hummer. In addition to that, GM has included loads of accessories that allow a number of customizations for hauling and carrying cargo. The question is, however, will this be enough to attract buyers who have abandoned their passion for SUVs in favor of the fuel economy of smaller cars? Only time will tell.

All are powered by a 3.7-liter engine generating 242 horseppwer as a manual transmission with five speeds. (An automatic with four speeds is optional.) The drivetrain has two speeds with electronic control and all-time 4WD.

The H3 has room for five. The seats in the base model and the Adventure are upholstered in cloth with leather on the Luxury. In all models occupants enjoy the protection of twin air bags with a sensor system for the passenger. Bags in the curtain position are optional. A centralized information center dispatches as many as 22 alerts to the driver and a one-year contract with the OnStar service is included. An alarm system protects the vehicle’s contests and the PASSLock system is employed to deter theft. Entry can be made via a remote which includes a panic button. The included audio unit as a since-disc CD player in the dash with an option for one with a capacity for six disc. (XM Satellite Radio is also optional on all models.)

The 2007 Hummer H3 offers a clearance of 8.5 inches and can pass through water up to a debt of 24 inches at 5 mph. The approach angle is 37.5 degrees, departure angle 35.5 degrees, and breakover angle 23.5 degrees. The H3 will handle trailers of up to 3,000 lbs. with the manual transmission; 4,500 lbs. with the optional automatic.

Hummer’s line-up was woefully underpowered. The 2008 Hummer H3 changes that - sort of. The base model still comes with a 3.7 liter, 242 horsepower five-cylinder in-line Vortec engine that provides 242 pounds/feet of torque. More exciting, however, is the souped up H3 Alpha, which has a 5.3 liter, 295 horsepower V8 engine, offering 317 pounds/feet of torque and 6,000 pounds of towing capacity (3,000 for the base model.) All H3’s come standard with four-wheel-drive, traction control, and stability control, and a choice of either an automatic or manual transmission.

Inside the H3, there is little that is different from last year’s model. The front seats are still bucket-style, while the back seat is a fairly standard 60/40 split bench, which means total occupancy is five people. While heated leather seats are an optional upgrade, cloth upholstery is standard, except for the steering wheel, which is wrapped in perforated leather. In the Alpha, there are “Alpha” badges on the front head restraints, and over the horn.

Other features of the 2008 Hummer H3 include remote entry, and three power outlets, as well as a basic AM/FM Radio/CD player. Available upgrades include a Monsoon sound system with a six CD changer, and the addition of either OnStar or a DVD-based navigational system.

Standard safety features include side-curtain airbags as well as anti-lock brakes and a tire-pressure monitoring system, as well as an optional rear-view camera, if the GPS system is purchased as well.

Unlike many SUVs, the 2008 Hummer H3 actually handles quite well off-road, and people who participate in off-road activities may want to know that this year’s model can cross 16 inches of water at 20 mph, or, if it slows to 5 mph, it can ford water up to 2 feet deep.

Starting MSRPs are $30,080 for the base model H3, and $38,645 for the Alpha.

While the H3 joins the mid-size category which includes the Infiniti FX, its power and capabilities are anything but tiny. The MSRP is surprisingly affordable as well. With a wealth of standard features and even more available options, most consumers will be pleased with the overall package. However, some might be put off by the poor fuel economy. Nevertheless, with five varying trims to choose from, buyers really get to put their stamp on this five-passenger SUV. The 2009 Hummer H3 is a carryover from the prior model year.

Under the hood, buyers can opt for either a capable 239 horsepower 3.7L I5 or a generous 300 horsepower 5.3L V8. The base H3 gets a standard five-speed manual transmission, but consumers can upgrade to a four-speed automatic with overdrive if desired. The highest trim, the H3X, gets just a four-speed automatic. While the bigger members of the Hummer family are equipped with flex-fuel engines, the H3 does not get the green treatment. Instead, the gas mileage is estimated at 14 city MPG and 18 highway MPG for the I5 and 13 city MPG and 16 highway MPG for the V8. This could certainly be a deal-breaker for those hoping to make less of an impact on the environment.

The interior is where the Hummer’s trademark bigness comes into play on the H3. Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, power adjustable driver’s seat, power windows and locks, two auxiliary power outlets, and a three-month trial subscription to XM Satellite Radio. Bluetooth allows drivers to make and take calls completely handsfree, while the power outlets will quickly recharge any adaptable devices. Optional features include a Navigation Radio, six-disc in-dash CD changer, and leather upholstery, among others.

Safety plays a key role in the 2009 H3’s design as well. Standard on the model is the renowned OnStar system, remote keyless entry, and a tire pressure monitoring system. OnStar provides services like airbag deployment notifications, remote door unlock, and handsfree calling services (although, the handsfree calling is redundant with Bluetooth included). Remote door unlock allows drivers to contact an OnStar representative if they are locked out of the vehicle, and the representative will send a signal to the model that automatically unlocks the doors.

On the whole, the 2009 Hummer H3 is both powerful and practical. Buyers looking for convenience will find that the H3 is among the best on the market. However, those that expect fuel efficiency in a mid-size SUV will certainly want to look elsewhere. Priced at around $33,390, the H3 is one of the most affordable vehicles in the Hummer lineup, but it seems a bit like the price is more for the status than the standard features.

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