AM General had planned a civilian version of the large vehicle as long ago as the late 1980s. Publicity for such a vehicle began in 1990 when two matching white Hummers were driven from London to Beijing over the less-than-perfect roads of the then Soviet Union. Built to go off-road, they made the trip with no problems, and their journey was broadcast on ESPN. The next year, the Hummer’s military version, the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Hum-Vee) garnered even more attention because of its use during Operation Desert Storm.

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.

Over the next two years, GM introduced the H2 and H3, and renamed the original to H1. AM General continued to build the H1 until the line was stopped in 2006, and is contracted by GM to build the H2. 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.

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.

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.

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.

AM General Corporation, which was the government vehicle division of American Motors. AM General had planned a civilian version of the large vehicle as long ago as the late 1980s. Publicity for such a vehicle began in 1990 when two matching white Hummers were driven from London to Beijing over the less-than-perfect roads of the then Soviet Union. Built to go off-road, they made the trip with no problems, and their journey was broadcast on ESPN. The next year, the Hummer’s military version, the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Hum-Vee) garnered even more attention because of its use during Operation Desert Storm.

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.

Over the next two years, GM introduced the H2 and H3, and renamed the original to H1. AM General continued to build the H1 until the line was stopped in 2006, and is contracted by GM to build the H2. 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.

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