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.

The H2 has a massive truck frame and has a wider-than-average track firm that may offer stability against overturning compared to some of the more common light truck SUVs, although objective tests have not been performed by the government or other outside parties due to its specialized vehicle class. It is marketed as both a general purpose vehicle and as an off-road vehicle.

The H2’s final frame assembly is made up of 3 sections: The front uses a modified GM 2500-Series utility frame, the mid-section is all new and is completely boxed, and the rear section uses a modified GM 1500-Series frame which is upgraded for the 8,600 pound (3629 kg) gross vehicle weight. The 2008 Hummer H2 does 0-60 in 8.2 seconds.