Design Styling cues include flat design surfaces, an upright windshield, a wide stance, large tires, a seven-slot grille, round headlights, and conspicuous fender flares that boldly announce the 2006 Hummer H3’s lineage. But despite the family resemblance to the H2, this all-new Hummer occupies much less space.

The success of the 2006 H3 will depend heavily on its recognition and acceptance by customers as a true Hummer product. GM realized this and integrated several elements that are present in the H2 full-size SUV. Common styling cues include flat design surfaces, an upright windshield, a wide stance, large tires, a seven-slot grille, round headlights, and conspicuous fender flares that boldly announce the H3’s lineage. But despite the family resemblance, this all-new Hummer occupies much less space. Parked beside an H2, the new model is 16.9 inches shorter in length, 6 inches smaller in height, and 6.5 inches narrower in width. Unlike the H2, or even the H1, the H3 includes a rear gate-mounted spare tire, a first for GM.

With militaristic exterior styling adhering strictly to the precedents set by the H1 and H2, Hummer’s designers felt a little interior innovation was in order. Quality measures such as tight gap tolerances and advanced material finishing were priorities in development. The center stack and gauge cluster benefit from a process called Nissha, which provides both a brushed metal look and polished finish. Another surfacing feature, known as TuflorO, creates rubberized flooring rather than carpet or traditional rubber floor mats. TuflorO includes a foam underlayer to cushion heavy objects and a ribbed pattern on top that provides traction and stability. It’s a nice touch when carrying messy and weighty cargo in the rear compartment.

With the rear seat folded down, H3 swallows 55.7 cubic feet of stuff. With the rear bench raised, 29.5 cubic feet of cargo can fit. Maximum payload is 1,150 lbs. – enough to cart you and three beer-swilling buddies plus a couple hundred pounds of gear – and the Hummer H3 can tow 4,500 lbs. of goods, although such a load will clearly render the H3 a Sunday-driver clogging traffic lanes.