2009 Hummer 3 pickup (H3T) By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net   Hummer still has such a mystique surrounding it.  There is no question that it is unique and demands attention.  The first Hummer available to consumers was just slightly modified from the military original.  Then came the H2, which was much more adaptable for American lifestyles.  Then the H3, a smaller, less outfitted version, became available.  It was more affordable, got better mileage, and was much more of a standard SUV than military.  Now, the H3 pickup truck is here.  It is awesome.

Our test model was all white in color with a charcoal gray interior.  It was a 2009 model with just barely over a thousand miles on the odometer.  I looked at the H3T and thought immediately that I should put a large O in place of the 3 and spell out the word HOT.  This was my instant perception.  This was a really HOT vehicle and I couldn’t wait to drive it. 

The H3 pickup is considered a mid-sized truck, in class with the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Dodge Dakota, and Ford Ranger.  It features a five-foot truck bed and has a standard bedline and a bed rail system.  With the tailgate lowered, it can carry a standard 4x8 sheet of plywood or drywall.   The interior is quite large – not spacious as in a full-sized truck, but more than adequate for outdoor enthusiasts and their gear.  It is equipped with a front-end locking differential, Stabilitrack, and traction control as well as all-time four wheel drive mode. Also included are 32 inch tires, Hill Start Assist, and underbody skid plates.  These are standard and not options. 

The H3T drives great on the highway, even when pulling trailers.  There is the noticeable pull of being in full-time four wheel drive, but this did not seem to affect the acceleration or handling in any way.  Simple buttons on the dashboard allowed shifting into four-wheel low if it was necessary and locking four-wheel low if required for extended off-roading. 

The mileage for the H1 is legendary, but this new H3T is competitive with other pickups.  It is rated at 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.  I actually got slightly better than that during my test drive when I took the H3T over to East Texas for Thanksgiving.

Hummer is still an eye-catcher and attracts a lot of attention.  While stopping at a large discount store, I stayed in the cab while Judy made a quick trip inside for a few last-minute groceries.  As I looked in the rear view mirrors, I could see many people detouring their walk to the store’s entrance so as to pass near the H3T.  They wanted a better look.  One couple caught my attention, though.  The fellow walked up to the rear, reached out and touched the tailgate.  His wife stood nearby, watching.  He walked around to the wheel-well, stooped down and carefully examined the fit of the tires and well coverings.  After a few minutes of his doing this, I rolled down the window, surprising him that someone was inside the cab.  As it turned out, he worked for a contractor who manufactured the wheel coverings and he had never seen the finished product.  The couple even stopped to get a second look as they exited the store.

The H3T is produced at the GM plant in Shreveport, Louisiana and has so many standard features as well as an abundance of available options.  It looks terrific.  It drives great.  It handles well.  It gets good gas mileage.  What could be better?  The price.  This is not an expensive vehicle.  Starting MSRP is only $30,750. 
If you are in the market for a pickup truck that can provide daily functionality as well as rugged capability as a weekend adventure vehicle, check out the new Hummer 3 pickup at your General Motors dealership. 
 
(Alan Gell is an experienced journalist, specializing in the automotive industry.  He is an active member of Automotive Press Associations, SEMA, and won several awards for New Car Reviews for his radio programs.  He can be contacted by email at Yelped50551@MyPacks.Net)