Many brands are falling prey to this perfect storm of American life that manages to combine a floundering economic climate with skyrocketing fuel prices that show no point of abatement. Kia is a recent victim, and General Motors is likely to join its ranks. And that is truly a shame. With the introduction of the new Hummer H3T Alpha, GM has scratched a niche that few others have even tried.

What is it?

A Sport Utility Truck that has few peers (at least in the “direct from the factory” form that we tested), the Hummer H3T Alpha is a five-passenger crew-cab “lifestyle-enabler,” (at least in the words of Hummer Division General Manager Martin Walsh) that is as equally at home on an off-road rock trail as it is in a suburban mall parking lot.

What’s It Up Against?

According to Hummer director of communications, Nick Richards, the H3T’s competitive set includes the Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Off-Road, Dodge Dakota TRX4 Crew Cab and the Ford F-150 SuperCrew.

Any Breakthroughs?

Bigger than a midsize, but smaller than a full-sized truck, the H3T hits the trail with full-time four-wheel drive, functional skid plates that work as intended (which we found out after three-pointing our test vehicle on a large rock that just appeared from out of nowhere), as well as front and rear locking differentials which put power to the ground via 33-inch tires.

How Does It Look?

The look is Hummer-tough, with all the boxy looks and angles that owners of the brand have grown to love. It’s a good-sized package that allows for five passengers inside a functional, tough-as-nails exterior to ride in an interior with the comfort of a refined SUV. The longer wheelbase of the H3T allows for wider swinging doors than those found in the standard H3 SUV.

The larger-than-life Hummer grille is back and can be ordered in “X-package” format as a body colored piece as well. This option also offers the availability of chrome accent points such as the filler cap, and 18-inch wheels. Other body colored pieces like a spare tire cover can be ordered to personalize the H3T to the owner’s taste and wallet.

The pickup bed is five feet long with the gate closed, and is wide enough to accommodate a four-by-eight sheet of plywood when laid flat, although it does ride on top of notches that are part of the H3T’s standard cargo management system. The standard bed liner has innovative cubbyhole storage compartments for tools, gloves and other accoutrements of the outdoor set. A sliding rail and track system allows for moveable tie-downs to handle any piece of equipment such as a four-wheeler or trail motorcycle. A roof rack system is available to accommodate kayaks and other items up above.

And Inside?

The inside of the Hummer instantly reminds you of the layout seen in the Colorado and Canyon trucks from parent company General Motors. The seats feel as though they are mounted directly to the floor, but they don’t lack for comfort. With driver and passenger eight-way adjustable power seats, it will be hard for someone to say they can’t find a comfortable seating position. That can’t be said for the steering wheel, though. Available with only a tilt-swivel function, it swings up and down with ease as we have seen in many GM vehicles before it. What is lacking, though, is the telescoping function which helps to make a driver with shorter arms and longer legs feel comfortable. The inverse argument can easily be made by a driver with longer arms and shorter legs who ends up feeling like Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in his NASCAR stock car, driving with a face full of steering wheel.

The center stack is adorned with attractive brushed aluminum pieces that surround the navi screen and climate controls as well as the surround of the shift lever. Grey piping provides an accent on the leather seats and is mimicked on the carpeted floor mats. Other than those highlights, the interior, while very functional, appears rather bland or lackluster. Perhaps this is an attempt to highlight the H3T’s utilitarian nature.

Adding a dose of thrill to the interior is the “picture in picture” backup camera whose image appears within the center rearview mirror instead of on the navigation screen down below. In addition to spotting kids and animals in the blind spots of the rear of the H3T, it facilitates trailer hitching as well.

Overall, though, we were impressed with the lack of noise inside the cabin. Kudos go to the NVH engineers.

But Does It Go?

The H3T is available with two different engines and two transmissions. Standard in the H3T is the Vortec 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine, which provides 239 horsepower and 241 lb-ft of torque. EPA mileage estimates check in with 14mpg city and 18mpg hwy for a combined average of 16mpg. It can be had with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.

The H3T Alpha, which we tested, is powered by GM’s 5.3-liter, 300-horsepower, 321lb-ft. of torque V8. It offers pulling power of up to 4,400 lbs of towing capability. It’s a refined engine, for sure, but one that we wish had an active fuel management system to shut off cylinders while cruising on the highway. It is only available with a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. As it is, the EPA clocks it at 13mpg city and 16mpg hwy. In the case of both engines, the H3T comes standard with hill start assist, which holds the vehicle still after giving a brief poke to the brake pedal. This function maintains its position for several seconds, allowing the driver to slowly accelerate away from an inclined stop.

Rock-crawling, climbing and stream-fording seem to be second nature with the H3T. Equipped with the Hummer Adventure package, it comes with underbody skid plates and the optional 4.03:1 transfer case with front and rear locking differentials. The result is a vehicle that can climb 16 inches vertically and ford through streams up to 24 inches. The short front and rear overhangs allow for a severe angle of attack that sees the H3T crawling down into holes and back out again without getting hung up.

We think the ride has improved as well, with the longer wheelbase of the H3T over the standard H3. General Motors’ five-year, 100,000-mile warranty adds value to a vehicle that is really a specialized niche market application. According to Hummer’s Walsh, the H3T offers the best combination of Hummer capability with full-sized truck utility, all wrapped up in a smaller, more efficient package.

With the brand’s future up in the air as to whether GM will hoist a “For Sale” sign outside the Hummer HQ, it’s a difficult time for the marque. Despite its perception as a not-too-green-machine, the H3T is really greater than the sum of its parts. If you need an off-road-capable hauler, the H3T deserves a look.

Why You Would Buy It?

Grizzly Adams is your great-grandfather, and you need a way to get to his cabin in the Sierra National Park.

Why You Wouldn’t

You don’t feel like getting your “great outdoor” freak on, and you would feel sheepish parked next to your girlfriend’s hijack-customized H2.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.

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