Call it a more civilized Hummer, the one for people who like the bold look of GM’s bad boy brand but want a more livable environment. The layout of the H3’s controls is simple and straightforward, with added accents that enhance the driving experience. Indeed, aside from the famous Hummer look, the interior is the highlight of the vehicle. Consider, for example, its effective dampening of noise, vibration and harshness. Despite riding on big tires and being built on a truck frame, the sound deadening materials used in the H3 keep most outside noise to a whisper, whether noise or wind. Perhaps the loudest external element, in fact, is the whine of the H3’s overmatched engine, going uphill and wishing it were home sipping an unleaded Mai-Tai. What’s especially impressive about the elimination of sound inside the H3 is the upright nature of the windshield. It looks about as aerodynamic as a brick wall, and, while you get some whistling, it’s remarkably quiet.

Another good example of the attention to detail GM put into crafting this interior is that it takes the basic layout and equipment of the Chevy Colorado pickup truck and adds the Hummer look with chrome accents around the shifter and on the door panel, a chrome H3 insignia on the steering wheel airbag cover, and a brushed metal trim that goes nicely with both chrome and plastic. It’s unmistakably a Hummer, yet the H3 creates its own feel, despite the influence of two other vehicles in the cabin. It does so with touches such as piping along the leather seats, flush-closing vents, easy to handle controls, colorful graphics, and usable cupholders up front – though the backseat, which tends to come across as an afterthought, has cupholders inside the seat, a questionable placement that limits their usage.