2009 Hummer H3T Montrose CO

November 18, 2009   By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor



2009 HUMMER H3

DriverSide Overview
Ever since Henry Ford slapped a truck bed on the back of a Model T back in 1925, America has had a thing for trucks. Every shape and size, we've tried them all. With smaller vehicles dominating the market in 2008, a mid-size truck, rather than a large one, makes a lot sense for those looking for a more nimble hauler. Because of this, the timing is good for Hummer to introduce their 2009 H3T . The latest truck from the ultimate utilitarian brand has a five-foot-long bed, and strikes a balance between comfort and functionality. It's a fully capable off-road vehicle that can crawl over boulders despite its long wheelbase, but on the highway this truck is docile and efficient, especially in its five-cylinder trim. Taking the front-end and design cues from the H3 SUV but merging it with hauling prowess, we think the H3T is the most significant and relevant Hummer to appear in the U.S. market.








What's to Like
Many of the features found in the H3 like the navigation system have been carried over into the H3T. The crew cab has room for five, and Hummer is offering over 125 accessories to strap down everything from Kayaks to snowmobiles. A large sunroof keeps the sun on your head or lets you keep a watchful eye on the gear strapped to the roof.

What's Not to Like
Yeah, yeah; we know it's a badass Hummer, but no air vents in the rear leaves the cabin a little stuffy, and the lack of an auxiliary input jack and 110-volt outlet make the truck behind on the times.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The H3T has adeptly managed to fuse on-road comfort with off-road capability. On the pavement, the H3T handles well – even on massive optional 33-inch tires. Standard all-terrain steel-belted radials have improved braking over the H3's previous performance and the cabin is genuinely luxurious. Wind noise at higher speeds is an issue though and you may find yourself cranking the XM radio up. Veer off-road and none of that really matters anyway. Even with the nearly two-foot longer wheelbase than the H3, the truck maneuvers over boulders almost as well, meaning that remote lake will be yours for the exploring. Underbody skid plates shield your Hummer's important bits from being torn up by rocks, and standard hill start assist is essential to keeping your focus on the road ahead – especially in manual trim.

Engine and Drivetrain
The all-wheel drive H3T is available in two well-performing engine choices. The first is a 3.7-liter five-cylinder producing 239 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. Though it’s the smaller of the two, the engine doesn't falter over rough uphill spots for a moment. The second, a 5.3-liter V-8, can be found in the H3T's Alpha trim and powers you along with 300 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. T...

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