It's hard to overlook a Hummer.

There they are, big, square shouldered, confident looking and full of attitude. And for all those reasons, you may be hard pressed to get much of a bargain this summer on a new Hummer. Sales have been strong all year long nationally.

	The 2008 Hummer H3. Click photo for larger image.

But if you still "gotta have it," you might want to start with the Hummer H3. Think of Hummer H3 as an H2 writ small -- or small in a big SUV kind of way. All of the characteristics that make the H2 a worthy sport utility vehicle also are part of the H3: outstanding off-road performance, charismatic appearance, a sense of ruggedness and a dynamite interior.

On the other hand, the same things that make the bigger H2 a challenge can be said of the H3, which is based on the platform for the small Chevy Colorado truck and the GMC Canyon.

Visibility is an issue -- a big issue. Thanks to narrow slits of windows, a square body and other considerations, it's tough to see toward the rear, especially when parking.

Another thing to think about: Because of its square-shouldered profile, the H3 feels much bigger than it is -- about the size of the average Chevy TrailBlazer.

It also has some pleasures and pains all its own. The H3, which starts at $28,405, gets much better fuel economy (16 miles per gallon in the city/ 20 on the highway) than the H2, feels more nimble in traffic and is less of a handful when parking.

On the debit side, the H3 gets rattled by uneven, pothole-filled streets, and some small equipment pieces you would expect at that price, such as an MP3 player outlet, are nonexistent. Acceleration is slow on the highway -- very slow. I really had to mash that pedal to get a reaction.

Still, this is a Hummer for people who want the good stuff that goes along with the brand without some of the negatives that go with it as well.

Our test H3, the new "X" model, included a set of wheels that looks really cool on the street, special paint, lots of chrome accents and bright pieces, and an exclusive interior with the emblem emblazoned upon the headrest and contrasting piping along the sides of the seats. You also get chrome assist steps, upgraded stereo, chrome brush gauges and luggage rack and power front heated seats.

I felt much more comfortable in the H3 than I did in its bigger brother, but the square-shouldered ruggedness of the truck is still intimidating when you try to negotiate Pittsburgh's narrow streets. The seats were supportive and felt durable, and could be wiped easily with a damp cloth.

The dashboard, with its aluminum accents, resembles the no-nonsense, fully gauged look that the H2 has. Every piece of information you could possibly want with your next car or truck is right here.

As I mentioned earlier, acceleration is a real concern. It just seemed to lag behind stubbornly when I needed some more get up and go. Power comes from a new 3.7-liter, 242-horsepower engine that just doesn't get the job done on the highway and when passing.

There are all kinds of cubbies for storage, including two handy ones located in the rear wheel well walls. It's a bit of a stretch to lift goods into the rear of the H3, but once there, you've got a lot of room to work with.

But, oh, that hatch door! With the spare tire cover and wheel attached, it's a really heavy door, and you'll need to roll up your sleeves to make it move.

Over Pittsburgh's rough streets, the H3 danced and jiggled around, and there was a lot of side to side motion as well that was rather unsettling. But on smoother surfaces, the H3 was in its element, providing stability, comfort and a pleasant ride in the bargain.

What's Coming in 2008

Remember what I just said about a horsepower deficit with the H3? Now you can forget I ever said it. That's because for 2008, Hummer will add a new model called the H3 Alpha, which has an all new 295-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-6 under the hood. Because the whole front end system had to be changed to accommodate the new engine, you'll also find a new steering rack that improves the feel of the road and enhances off-road reliability.

You'll also get new safety equipment as standard, including side curtain air bags, stability control and tire pressure monitor.