2008 Hummer H3 Alpha

Even with unsteady, and it seems ever higher gas prices, the Hummer brand has sustained its rock solid following.

A big reason is that Hummer vehicles deliver an unmatched combination of substance and style. Well now that image gets a performance boost with the new H3 Alpha. It may still be the smallest Hummer in size, but it’s big on everything else.

To diehard fans, Hummers are regarded as status symbols. After all, these squared-jaw suburban tanks are as about as exotic as SUVs get.  But status aside, civilian Hummers are becoming more capable of extremes than ever.  Case in point, Hummer’s newest offering, the 2008 H3 Alpha.

Significantly downsized from the now discontinued, military-based H1 Alpha, the mid-size H3 is only the second Hummer to be granted the performance “Alpha” designation.

Here that means more brute force from under the hood. Gone is the original mid-size H3’s wimpy inline5. In its stead is a GM 5.3-liter small block V8 with 295 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity that jumps to 6,000 pounds - a 33% improvement.

The H3 Alpha’s pushrod pairs with a four-speed automatic and feeds a full-time, two-speed, four-wheel drive system with brake traction control, a 4.10 rear differential, and 32-inch tires. Optional off-road rubber and rear locker are recommended for serious off-roading.

A wide range of enhancements went into making the H3 Alpha even more trail-tough than the already impressive original H3.  A unique oil pan ensures constant pressure on steep grades, and the front differential case is made of strong cast iron. 

Combine those upgrades with 9.1 inches of ground clearance, high approach and departure angles, and the tight turning diameter of a compact car, and this SUV is able to crawl over and around amazing obstacles, as well as handle streams up to 24 inches deep.

Once we finished up in the wild, we took our V8 to the track.  There it rumbled from 0 to 60 in a quite respectable 8.3 seconds - that’s two seconds faster than the 5-cylinder H3 - and finished the quarter-mile run in 16.3 seconds at 87 miles-per-hour. Power was good off the line, with an adequate build down the stretch.

Handling benefits from a modified chassis and a suspension that utilizes higher rate front torsion bars. Shocks have been re-valved to ensure better ride quality than the full-size H2.

But there is still quite a bit of top-heaviness and body roll.  The positive side is there’s also good responsiveness to driver inputs.  To help reel it in, electronic stability control is standard.

Braking is an area we feel needs improving on the H3 Alpha. The four-wheel discs with ABS drew us down from 60 to 0 in a longish average of 137 feet. There was a lot of nose-dive and an overall soft feel to the pedal.

Stopping to look at the H3 Alpha doesn’t reveal much difference from the standard H3. It’s sort of like a stylized brick with a 7-slot face that moves mountains.

Alpha interior mods are for the most part limited to badging.  The dash boasts the familiar deep gauges and large controls common to Hummer.

Techno-savvy options include a 7-speaker monsoon audio system and navigation.  But the most eye-catching feature is the available back-up camera display screen which hides in the rear-view mirror housing and slides out only when beckoned.

The rear split bench is wide enough for three adults but leg room is a bit tight.  Cargo capacity expands to an ample 55.7 feet with the seats folded down

Like all Hummers, the H3 Alpha will be criticized for its Government Fuel Economy Ratings of 13 city/16 highway. Our test mileage yielded 14.8 miles-per-gallon on regular gas. Its Energy Impact Score is a very thirsty 24.5 barrels of oil consumed per year.

Pricing, however, does work in this Hummer’s favor.  It has a base sticker of $39,310.  Not bad for an almost unstoppable status symbol.

The 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha uniquely combines outrageous off-road prowess with head-turning opulence.  And though most buyers will probably never leave the pavement with theirs, the appeal of this animal is that it stands out in both concrete jungles, and real ones, too.