2008 HUMMER H3

Since the day it was released the H3's worst quality has been that it could lose a race to Rosie O'Donnell riding a turtle. Who knew that a 220-hp compact pickup engine would seem sluggish in a 4700-pound SUV?

That engine is a 295 hp, 5.3-liter V-8 with an aluminum block. A high torque rating--317 lb-ft--allows the four-speed automatic H3 Alpha to tow up to 6000 pounds.

The H3 Alpha is the first Hummer to be engineered in conjunction with GM's performance division, and it will work its way to sixty mph in about eight seconds. Not too bad for a brick.

The H3 Alpha will come standard with the H3's luxury package, 16-inch chrome wheels, and a 4.10:1 rear axle ratio. Like all '08 H3s, side air bags, stability control, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system are all standard.

The Hummer's status-symbol status no doubt comes from its off-road ability, but you can bet the majority of them have no plans to ever leave the smooth pavement to go rough-riding in the hills.

Not since the original H1 Alpha roamed the earth has another Hummer been given the honor of wearing the performance Alpha designation.

Its heartblood is pumped by a GM 5.3-liter small block V-8. Boasting 300 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, the H3 Alpha is a quick sprinter and can tow up to 6000 pounds of boat.

The new engine's capabilities are even more impressive when you look at the standard H3's barely adequate inline five-cylinder engine, which has been known to frustrate drivers on long ascents and highway on-ramps.

Designing the new V-8 powertrain to Hummer specs did however require some purposeful modifications.

Like all Hummers past and present, the H3 Alpha's V-8 will be criticized for its combined government fuel economy rating of 14 mpg.

Not only is the H3 a great trail machine, but it is proving to be a capable family hauler and commuter as well.

With plenty of room in the second row, passengers and car seats have space to spare. The cargo area also is big enough to swallow bulky items like diaper bags and strollers, or tow straps and tools. We only wish, as we have commented in the past, that the H3 had more storage cubbies to put our keys, wallet, iPhone, BlackBerry, and all the other things we regularly carry with us.

So far the satisfying 5.3L OHV V-8 has been delivering decent fuel economy in mostly stop and go driving, with a great note under full throttle and at idle.

The H3 is a great daily driver, with exceptional maneuverability that is aided by a turning radius as tight as a small car. Seat comfort has also been praised, as well as the ride, thanks to big cushy sidewalls of the 33-inch Bridgestone Duelers.

Very few complaints were entered in the log this quarter, but they centered around the usual comments about storage and visibility. We're still waiting for our iPod interface too, but until that improvement makes it to the H3, we have been satisfied with our satellite radio-especially while out on the Mexican peninsula.

Overall the H3 Alpha has proven to be a capable day-to-day family hauler, as well as the weekend getaway rig of choice for those in search of a little adventure.

The last time we found ourselves behind the wheel of an H3, it was powered by the only engine available at the time, a 3.5L I5. Since then, the I-5 has grown to 3.7L and received a boost in power, but enthusiasts were clamoring for more.

The standard 5.3L V-8 in the Alpha is just the right amount of engine for this chassis. While future H3s will be available with a 3.6L DOHC V-6 or a diesel, the 5.3L offers the power and torque for everyday driving with little sacrifice in fuel economy, as compared to the 3.7L I5.

The H3 Alpha is the second member of HUMMER's exclusive Alpha series, representing the pinnacle of performance, both off the road and on it. It comes with a new, 5.3L V-8 engine that delivers 295 horsepower (224 kW)* and 317 lb.-ft. of torque (438 Nm)*. It is partnered with a four-speed automatic transmission and enables a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) - an increase of more than 33 percent over other H3 models.

HUMMER Alpha models represent the top in performance, capability and comfort. The H1 Alpha was the first of these ultimate HUMMERs, and like the H3 Alpha, it offered a more powerful engine as well as unique styling and comfort features.

The H3 Alpha's 5.3L engine is a powerful and efficient member of GM's legendary small-block V-8 family. It is rated at 295 horsepower (224 kW)* and 317 lb.-ft. of torque...

The V 8, coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission, cast-iron differential housing, and 4.10:1 axle ratio, enables the H3 to tow 6000 pounds--that's over 33 percent more than in the base H3s powered by the 220 horsepower inline-five and five-speed manual.

Although the base Hummer H3 and Alpha look similar, the Alpha comes standard with the Luxury equipment package, Chrome Appearance package, 16 inch chrome wheels, and special Alpha touches such as headrests embroidered with the Alpha insignia and special badges on the tailgate and horn pad.

The engine received a unique lower-profile oil pan with better baffling that retains the same capacity as the standard pan. It also utilizes high-flow heads and electronic throttle control, the latter well calibrated for hard-core off-road use.

The long suspension travel, 9.1 inches of ground clearance, excellent approach/departure angles, electric-locking rear differential, 4L60 automatic, and 4.03:1 low-range gear ratio give it tremendous footing in the worst of conditions.

Hummer H3 Alpha trumps the Jeep in the all-important engine department with the newly available V- capacity put the Hummer H3 Alpha on top of a mountain very few others will even attempt to climb. And we hear the H3T pickup will get electronic front and rear locking differentials and the new six-speed transmission.

On the same climb, our Hummer H3 Alpha is equally unstoppable, despite a 5100-pound curb weight. No surprise why; its 5.3-liter engine is the largest (and only) V-8 in this group, and it pumps out the highest power (295) and torque (317). At 4.03:1, this H3 also has the best low-range gearing, which makes descending down the hill just as uneventful as the climb.

Cost fells the mighty Hummer H3 Alpha as well; its as-tested price of $44,535 is more than $13,000 higher than the FJ Cruiser's and Xterra's. That money could buy a lot of gas, especially with the H3 Alpha's 12.1-mpg fuel economy-the worst in the group.

"The Alpha's V-8 brings the H3 to life. On the gravel-strewn trails, the Hummer muscles over and through everything in its path. Tough, strong and solid, this thing feels like it can handle anything; for confidence behind the wheel, the H3 is king," says Voehringer.

Biggest, baddest, and most powerful, but also heaviest, thirstiest, and most expensive.