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2009 HUMMER H3T

If you had three wishes, would one of them be that Hummer made a pickup truck? Hopefully not; that would be extremely lame. But if it were, in addition to world peace and 10 million bucks, you could now get a big boy’s Tonka truck. Yep, for 2009, Hummer is rolling out the H3T. Essentially the H3 SUV with a longer wheelbase and an open pickup bed instead of a wagon-style back, this new addition to the Hummer family should more than satisfy one’s need to have the toughest-looking crew cab in the Home Depot parking lot.HUMMER H3T Concept

Virtually everything good and bad about the regular H3 still stands. This means you’ll likely dig the rugged styling cues (which include the industrial grille, the massive wheel flares and the armored-car-style windows), brag about its impressive off-road capabilities (thanks to aggressive approach and departure angles, generous ground clearance and standard skid plates) and lament its outward visibility and fuel mileage (13 city/16 highway with the V8).

Yes, although the 2009 Hummer H3T is essentially part of the baby-Hummer H3 line, it’s still a typical Hummer, meaning it weighs about 25 percent more than even car guys like us would guess. We’re talking nearly 5,000 pounds here — about a thousand more than a Caddy DTS and equal to the weight of two Honda Fits. To move all that mass, the H3T has a five-cylinder engine that pumps out a meager 239 horsepower and 241 pound-feet of torque. Of course, if you choose the aptly named Alpha trim level, you’ll get a brawny V8 that cranks out 300 hp and 320 lb-ft. Either way, you’re looking at not-so-great fuel economy.

All said, the 2009 Hummer H3T doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. (Maybe you’ll want one of your three wishes back.) Instead, we’d suggest checking out other more space- and fuel-efficient alternatives such as the Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier Crew Cab and Toyota Tacoma Double Cab.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Hummer H3T is a midsize crew-cab pickup truck that’s available in two trim levels: base and the more powerful Alpha. The base H3T features 16-inch steel wheels, full skid plates, air-conditioning, cruise control, OnStar telematics, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, full power accessories and a six-speaker CD stereo with satellite radio. The Alpha adds the V8 engine, alloy wheels and embroidered headrests.

Two packages are available for the base H3T. The Adventure Package adds an off-road suspension, a shorter-geared transfer case for better hill-climbing and descending, front and rear locking differentials, 33-inch off-road tires and a Monsoon audio system with a six-CD changer. The Luxury Package comes with the Monsoon system, leather upholstery, power and heated front seats and oversized floor mats. The H3T Alpha’s oddly named Alpha Leather Package has the features of the Luxury Package along with chrome wheels and exterior trim. Major options for both include a power sunroof, an in-dash six-CD changer, a navigation system and a rearview camera.

Ford f-150 Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck is available in three body styles: regular cab, extended cab (“SuperCab”) and crew cab (“SuperCrew”). Cargo box size choices vary as well: regular cabs come with a 6.5-foot or 8-foot cargo bed, while SuperCabs can have either of those or a garage-friendly 5.5-footer. The SuperCrew can have either the 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed. Reverse-opening rear doors are standard on regular and SuperCabs for easier cab access, while SuperCrews have four full-size doors.

No fewer than seven trim levels are offered: base XL, sporty STX, popularly equipped XLT, rugged FX4, luxurious Lariat, leather-saddle-inspired King Ranch and blinged-out, top-dog Platinum.

Geared toward commercial use, the bare-bones XL comes with 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl seating, an AM/FM radio, air-conditioning and not much else. The STX is similarly equipped but adds body-colored bumpers and grille frame, sportier wheels, a cloth 40/20/40-split bench seat and an upgraded sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.

The volume leader XLT features chrome exterior trim (including the grille), an upgraded cloth interior, cruise control and full power accessories. The FX4 (4WD) shares its color-keyed bumper and grille styling with the STX and also features a towing package, 18-inch wheels, underbody skid plates, retuned springs and heavy-duty shocks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, bucket seats with center console, a six-way power driver seat and satellite radio.

The Lariat trim offers an upscale ambiance with two-tone paint, a silver mesh grille insert, brushed aluminum and wood interior highlights, leather upholstery, 10-way power driver and passenger seats, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, the Sync multifunction voice command system, automatic climate control and a trip computer. Like the Lariat, the King Ranch has two-tone paint and the fancy grille, but it adds western saddle-inspired leather upholstery, a six-CD changer and heated/cooled front seats.

The new Platinum trim tops the line and features 20-inch chrome wheels, a unique grille design, monotone paint, chrome accents, premium leather upholstery, the heated/cooled seats and unique wood-grain accents.

Key F-150 options include the SFE (superior fuel economy) package that’s available on 2WD SuperCrew XL and XLTs with the 4.6-liter high-output V8. The SFE package includes the 5.5-foot bed, a 3.15:1 rear axle ratio and low-rolling-resistance tires. Other options include a premium Sony audio system, remote engine start, a navigation system, a back-up camera, a cargo management system, a stowable bed extender, reverse parking sensor, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a sunroof.

Aimed at those who work out of their trucks, Ford’s Work Solutions options include an in-dash computer with Internet access, a Midbox storage system (a lockable compartment located between the cab and bed) and a “Tool Link” system (which allows one to keep tabs on tools stored in the truck’s box via radio-frequency tracking).

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

While GM tries to keep itself in business, it’s also trying to launch a new set of hybrid pickupsfor the 2009 model year. Soon, GM will be letting journalists–including the car review experts at TheCarConnection.com–to drive the 2009 Chevrolet SilveradoHybrid.

GM says the new Hybridedition of the full-size pickup truck will be 40 percent more fuel-efficient in city fuel economy and 25 percent better in highway mileage.

chevy1The Silverado Hybrid will come in the four-door Crew Cab body, in either rear- or four-wheel drive. Outfitted with a 6.0-liter V-8 engine and GM’s version of the two-modehybrid system shared with the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, the Silverado Hybrid will be capable of 500 miles of driving range. It will also be able to run on electric power alone, gasoline power alone or a combination of the two. GM’s Silverado Hybridpickup will also have cylinder deactivation technology, which turns off half the V-8′s cylinders to save fuel when it’s running under light engine loads. Chevrolet’s sister brand GMC will also get a hybrid version of their Sierra pickup.

Dual front and curtain airbags and stability control will be standard on the SilveradoHybrid. Minor aerodynamic tweaks help the Hybrid’s fuel economy; its battery pack is located behind the rear seats.

TheCarConnection.com will be driving the new Silverado Hybrid this month, with a full review yet to come. Stay tuned–in the meantime, find out more about the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado here at ChevyTruckReports.com, including extensive photos and pricing information.

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