The brand is probably on its way to new ownership outside of Detroit and an uncertain future, but I still wanted to check in with the latest from Hummer.  The off-road manufacturer has been on the outs for several years now, as its bigger-is-better, in-your-face styling and attitude ran afoul of changing sensibilities with regard to the environment and efficiency.  The introduction of the smaller, “kinder and gentler” Hummer H3 wasn’t enough to make Hummer a welcome household name, but the H3 did prove to be the basis for what could be the most sensible Hummer product to date.


Now, “sensible Hummer” may seem like an oxymoron, but bear with me a moment.  The H3T combines the real off-road capability of the H3 with the real-world usefulness of a pickup bed, and its fuel economy is average for its class. It’s not so much of a leap of imagination, since the H3 shares its chassis with the Chevrolet Colorado pickup anyway.  Barring the original, military-vehicle-based H1, the H3T just might be my favorite Hummer to date.  And, given the brand’s current financial situation, it’s unlikely that it’ll be around for long.
Of course, what sets the H3T apart visually is the wheelbase that’s been stretched almost two feet and the pickup bed.  This is a burly, beefy pickup truck, and though it’s classified as a mid-size pickup, it’s larger than any of its competition Would it be a proper Hummer if it wasn’t?  The cut-from-rock design is part of the Hummer look, of course.  The H3T carries the same sheet metal as the H3 from the B-pillar forward, but aft of the rear doors, there’s a separate five-foot cargo box.   A bit of convenience is sacrificed to style, as the bed sides are far too high for anyone but NBA players to easily load cargo over, but the tailgate is easily removable and there are standard cargo tiedowns inside.   Underneath, skid plates and a full-size spare are standard.  An H3T Alpha model is available as well, with special badging and interior trim.
The standard Hummer interior treatment applies, with narrow windows and a command-center driving position.  The seats and instrument panel are taken directly from the H3 SUV.  Bluetooth connectivity is standard in the H3T Alpha, which is offered with a choice of cloth or leather interior and heated seats.  A reverse camera is also available, and necessary considering the poor state of rear visibility in this truck.  Though the H3T is almost as large as a full-size pickup on the outside, it’s still a compact on the inside; four passengers will be comfortable, and five a squeeze.
A choice of five- or eight-cylinder power is offered. The H3T gets a 3.7 liter inline five-cylinder engine as standard equipment.  That may not seem like much for a vehicle of this size, but the five is torquey, and with 239 horsepower and 241 ft-lb of torque on tap, it gets the job done.  Fuel economy sits at 14/18 for the five-cylinder, which is low but not dismal when compared to other mid-size pickups.  The H3T Alpha has an aluminum 5.3 liter V8 under the hood, and its 300 horses bring the H3T up to tough-truck status.  A five-speed manual is available with the five-cylinder, while V8s get a four-speed automatic.  The V8-powered H3T will tow up to 5900 pounds.  However, like any Hummer, to consign it to a life on pavement is to waste much of its ability.
Full-time four-wheel drive and 32-inch tires are standard on the H3T, contributing to its off-road ready stance and poise.  An independent short-long arm suspension is used in front, and a multi-leaf Hotchkiss setup at the rear.  Opt for the Off-Road Adventure package and a front locking differential is available, giving the H3T the same dirt-crawling ability as the H2.  This truck boasts a twenty four-inch fording depth and the ability to climb sixteen-inch vertical steps or rocks.  The H3T is long, so it won’t be able to follow a Jeep Wrangler through every twist and turn of the trail, but it’s a capable off-roader nonetheless.  StabiliTrak stability control is standard, as are anti-lock brakes.
Though it looks like the Hummer H3T is bound for a future as an almost-forgotten footnote in automotive history, let the record show that I met one, and that I generally approved of the thing.  This off-roading pickup truck combines all of the Hummer H3’s good qualities–most of them pertaining to off-road travel–and combines them with the utility of a pickup bed.  It’s a winning combination.  The Hummer H3T starts at $31,495, making it a premium choice among pickup trucks.  Of course, if you need to carry cargo off-road, this is one of the better ways to do it.

Specifications:  All specs are for the 2009 Hummer H3T
Length:  212.7 in.
Width:  85.1 in.
Height:      72.1 in.
Wheelbase:  134.2 in.
Curb weight:   5069 lb.
Payload: 1031 lb.
Towing capacity:  5900 lb.
Base price:  $31,495
Engine:   5.3 liter V8
Drivetrain:  four-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 300 @ 5200
Torque:  320 @ 4000
Fuel capacity:  27.0 gal.