All 2009 Hummer H3T models come with full-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. All except the Alpha are powered by a 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine that makes 239 hp and 241 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, and a four-speed automatic is optional. Although the five makes decent power, it’s simply outmatched by the H3T’s near-5,000-pound mass, so acceleration is leisurely at best. Towing capacity is rated at 4,400 pounds when properly equipped, and EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway and 15 mpg combined with either transmission.

The Alpha features a 5.3-liter V8 (with 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque) mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity goes up to 5,900 pounds, and we’d expect its performance to be about the same as the H3 Alpha, which sprinted from zero to 60 mph in a relatively quick 8 seconds flat. With this engine, fuel economy drops slightly to a 13/16/14 mpg rating.

Vehicle model: 2009 Hummer H3T
Base price: TBA
Engine type: 3.7L I-5
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Aspiration: Natural
Mfg.’s hp @ rpm: 242 @ 5,600
Mfg.’s torque (lb-ft) @ rpm: 242 @ 4,600
Transmission: MA5 five-speed manual
Axle ratio: 4.56
Suspension (f/r): Independent SLA with torsion bar, stabilizer bar/Hotckiss leaf spring, stabilizer bar
Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Brakes (f/r): 12.4-inch disc/12.3-inch disc with four-wheel ABS
Wheels/Tires: P265/75R16 Bridgestone Dueler
Wheelbase (in): 134
Length (in): 211.9
Width (in): 85.5
Height (in): 72.2
Track (in): 65/65.5
Curb Weight (lb): TBA
Ground clearance f/r (in): 9.1
Approach (deg): 37.5
Departure (deg): 28.0
Max Towing capacity (lb): 4,400, 5,900 (V-8)
Fuel capacity (gal): 27
EPA mileage estimates (mpg): TBA
Seating capacity: 5

There are three main engine choices in the 2009 Ford F-150 lineup, all of them V8s: a 4.6-liter that makes 248 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque, a higher-output 4.6 with 292 hp and 320 lb-ft and a 5.4-liter unit with 320 hp and 390 lb-ft. The base 4.6 is paired to a four-speed automatic transmission, while the high-output 4.6 and 5.4 are mated to a six-speed automatic. The brakes have a soft feel about them, but stopping distances are quite good. In instrumented testing, we stopped a four-wheel-drive Super Crew from 60 mph in an impressive 127 feet.

As expected, buyers have a choice between two- and four-wheel drive on all versions of the F-150. When it comes to working capacity, the F-150 can’t be beat — on paper, at least. Properly equipped, an F-150 with the 5.4-liter V8 can tow up to 11,300 pounds and carry a 3,030-pound payload. In practice, however, the F-150 struggles to keep up with more powerful rivals in towing and hauling tests, particularly when going up grades.

Fuel mileage can be as high as 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined for an F-150 2WD SuperCrew with the SFE (superior fuel economy) package. A more typical 4WD SuperCrew with the 5.4-liter V8 gets EPA estimates of 14/18/15