Vehicle History Report
Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.
- • New Cars
2009 Hummer H3 Full Review
Date Published: 4/02/08
Also in the 2009 Hummer H3 Review:
5.
6.
Hummer H3 Full Review
7.
8.
9.
2009 Hummer H3
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Hummer H3 adds a crew-cab pickup truck body style to its roster. Otherwise, the lineup for this off-road-ready midsize SUV should remain largely unchanged. The pickup, called H3T, is larger than Chevrolet's Colorado compact pickup but smaller than the full-size Silverado. Base versions of the H3 wagon retain a 242-hp 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine. The top-line Alpha sports a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8. The H3T will offer both of these engines, though the V8 is reserved for the H3T Alpha. A 5-speed manual transmission is still standard on 5-cylinder models. Optional on those and standard on the Alpha is a 4-speed automatic. Towing capacity on the 5-cylinder is 3000 lb with the manual transmission and 4500 lb with the automatic. The Alpha has a maximum towing capacity of 6000 lb. H3 and H3T come with all-wheel drive that includes low-range gearing for off-road use. An available Off-Road Adventure Suspension Package on the wagon includes ultra-low gearing and a locking rear axle for severe off-road forays. This feature carries over to the pickup as well. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. GM's OnStar assistance is standard. A rearview camera is available, along with a navigation system. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Hummer H3.
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2009 Hummer H3 Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Control layout | Fuel economy |
| Cargo room | Rear-seat room |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
No opportunity yet to test the H3T or any version with a manual transmission. Base wagon models offer good acceleration around town with automatic transmission, but highway passing and merging reserves only adequate. Alpha V8 is stronger in all situations; Hummer estimates a 0-60 mph time of 8.0 seconds.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 6 | 5.1 |
No opportunity yet to test the H3T or any version with a manual transmission. Base wagon models offer good acceleration around town with automatic transmission, but highway passing and merging reserves only adequate. Alpha V8 is stronger in all situations; Hummer estimates a 0-60 mph time of 8.0 seconds.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, a base model with automatic transmission averaged 17.1 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. Test Alpha averaged 13.1 mpg in mostly city driving. Both engines use regular-grade gas.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.2 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a base model with automatic transmission averaged 17.1 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. Test Alpha averaged 13.1 mpg in mostly city driving. Both engines use regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
Base and off-road suspensions absorb low-speed bumps well, but H3 is prone to bobbing at high speed. Unwanted motions less pronounced with the 18-inch tires included in the H3X package.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 5 | 6 | 5 | 5.6 |
Base and off-road suspensions absorb low-speed bumps well, but H3 is prone to bobbing at high speed. Unwanted motions less pronounced with the 18-inch tires included in the H3X package.
Steering/Handling/Braking
H3 is reasonably agile with no excessive body lean in turns. Responsive steering has hefty feel. A relatively tight turning circle aids good low-speed maneuverability. Stopping control good, though some testers complain of mushy brake pedal action.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
H3 is reasonably agile with no excessive body lean in turns. Responsive steering has hefty feel. A relatively tight turning circle aids good low-speed maneuverability. Stopping control good, though some testers complain of mushy brake pedal action.
Quietness
Tire noise surprisingly well-muffled on models tested. Generally little highway wind noise.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.9 |
Tire noise surprisingly well-muffled on models tested. Generally little highway wind noise.
Controls
Simple white-on-black gauges are easy to read in any lighting condition. Most controls fall readily to hand. Navigation system does not absorb audio controls, but has tiny, fussy controls.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.5 |
Simple white-on-black gauges are easy to read in any lighting condition. Most controls fall readily to hand. Navigation system does not absorb audio controls, but has tiny, fussy controls.
Details
Cabin materials are of good quality with many soft-touch surfaces. Assembly of test models has been very good.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 5.7 |
Cabin materials are of good quality with many soft-touch surfaces. Assembly of test models has been very good.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
High step-in complicates entry, but hand grips and available running boards help. Good headroom, legroom, and shoulder space. Aft visibility is compromised by thick roof pillars and narrow glass openings. Outside hatch-mounted spare tire blocks much of rear window. An optional rearview camera helps.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 7.1 |
High step-in complicates entry, but hand grips and available running boards help. Good headroom, legroom, and shoulder space. Aft visibility is compromised by thick roof pillars and narrow glass openings. Outside hatch-mounted spare tire blocks much of rear window. An optional rearview camera helps.
Room/Comfort (rear)
High step-up and awkwardly-shaped door opening complicate access. Lots of head clearance. Legroom is limited for taller passengers.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 6.4 |
High step-up and awkwardly-shaped door opening complicate access. Lots of head clearance. Legroom is limited for taller passengers.
Cargo Room
Side-opening single-piece rear hatch is large and heavy; a disadvantage in confined quarters. Waist-high load floor makes a chore of loading heavier objects. The large rubber-floored cargo area is usefully shaped. Interior storage limited to the glove box, tiny door pockets, and small center console.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 8.6 |
Side-opening single-piece rear hatch is large and heavy; a disadvantage in confined quarters. Waist-high load floor makes a chore of loading heavier objects. The large rubber-floored cargo area is usefully shaped. Interior storage limited to the glove box, tiny door pockets, and small center console.
Value within Class
H3 combines comfortable accommodations and decent on-pavement dynamics with impressive off-road proficiency. The V8-powered Alpha adds good performance and towing capability. The H3 offers most of the Hummer H2 attributes in a more sensibly sized package. However, sacrifices are made for off-road capability and extroverted styling. For shoppers without true wanderlust, most other midsize SUVs make more sense.
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 4 | 3 | 5 | 6.4 |
H3 combines comfortable accommodations and decent on-pavement dynamics with impressive off-road proficiency. The V8-powered Alpha adds good performance and towing capability. The H3 offers most of the Hummer H2 attributes in a more sensibly sized package. However, sacrifices are made for off-road capability and extroverted styling. For shoppers without true wanderlust, most other midsize SUVs make more sense.
Total Score
| Base, automatic | H3X, automatic | Alpha w/off-road suspension | Class Average |
| 57 | 57 | 59 | 66.5 |
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
| Low Score | 57 | |
| Average Score | 66 | |
| High Score | 76 |
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2009 Hummer H3 Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/19/2007
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2009 Hummer H3 Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Hummer H3 4-door wagon | Hummer H3 crew cab short bed |
| Wheelbase, in. | 111.9 | 134.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 186.7 | 210.3 |
| Overall Width, in. | 85.5 | 85.1 |
| Overall Height, in. | 74.5 | 72.2 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 4700 | 4850 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 55.7 | 35.7 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | 1150 | 1150 |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 23.0 | 25.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.6 | 40.7 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.9 | 41.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.9 | 39.4 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 35.0 | 33.8 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc I5 | ohv V8 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.7 /223 | 5.3 /325 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 242 @ 5600 | 300 @ 5200 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 242 @ 4600 | 320 @ 4000 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 5-speed manual | 13/18 | --/-- |
| 4-speed automatic | 14/18 | 13/16 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
 Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Hummer H3 4-door wagon | Hummer H3 crew cab short bed |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
all-wheel drive
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2009 Hummer H3 Review:
5.
6.
Hummer H3 Full Review
7.
8.
9.
Car Buying Resources
Vehicle History Report
Locate a Dealer
Sell Your Car
Powered by:
-
MAKE -
CATEGORY
Acura
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Ford
GMC
Honda
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lotus
Maserati
Mazda
Mercedes-Benz
Mercury
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pontiac
Porsche
Rolls-Royce
Roush
Saab
Saturn
Scion
Smart
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
Volkswagen
Volvo
Subcompact Car
Compact Car
Midsize Car
Large Car
Premium Midsize Car
Premium Large Car
Sporty/performance Car
Premium Sporty/performance Car
Minivan
Full-size Van
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Compact Pickup Truck
Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Premium Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Pickup Truck
Premium Compact Car
Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Exotic Car
