IS the H3 a Hummer because it doesn't know the lyrics? Actually, the Hummer name is derived from Humvee, which in turn is the onomatopoeic result of HMMWV, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. This ginormous military vehicle with the equally long name spawned a civilian version called the H1 in the early 1990s.

As the big daddy of Hummers, the H1 was basically the military vehicle but with a nicer cabin. On the other hand, the more refined H2 and H3 are based on General Motors SUV models.

The H2 rides on the chassis of the larger Chevrolet Tahoe, while the H3 uses the mid-sized Chevrolet Colorado truck platform.

There is no right-hand-drive version for the H2 but export versions of the H3 are made in South Africa and a couple of them have muscled their way into our market.

One of the first few examples can be found at VinCar Pte Ltd at the Automobile Megamart in Ubi. And in case you're wondering who wants a four-wheel-drive vehicle about the size of a small house, don't. VinCar says there are already half a dozen orders.

Boxy styling

The H3 may be the smallest of the three Hummer models but it is still a very big vehicle, and it feels even bigger from behind the wheel. The driver sits high (the H3 has a truck-like body-on-frame chassis) but the improved visibility doesn't really help when you have boxy styling and wildly flared wheel arches.

In the Singapore context, this translates into a parking nightmare. If you thought the twisty carpark ramps in some newer shopping centres induced vertigo, the H3 will add something extra to that - palpitations.

But although it seems super wide, the H3 is only 1,872mm tall and 1,989mm wide - not much different from other large SUVs. And once you get used to it, the car feels easy to handle.

This is helped by the light and easy steering, as well as the respectable torque from the 3.7-litre inline five-cylinder engine. Together, they make the H3 pretty manoeuvrable for something that weighs in at about 2.2 tonnes.

Living large

Only the wide transmission tunnel makes the drive less than comfortable because it encroaches on the foot well and leaves little space for a left leg.

Surprisingly though, going fast around corners is not a problem for this American SUV. Unlike other US cars, the H3 rides on fairly firm springs and there is slight body roll only because of its height.

But passengers in the rear may find it a little bouncy when the H3 is going fast over irregular road surfaces.

However, they have good head and leg room even if cabin space has not been optimised. Outside and inside, everything about the H3 is big. Even the gear lever is more than a handful.

Nonetheless, the interior has a few nice design touches, like the single swing-out cupholder in the rear seat squab, and the LED compass in the rear view mirror.

For all its chrome and attitude, the H3 can be a serious off-roader if required. It has electronically controlled four-wheel-drive with a two-speed transfer case and locking differential.

This means it can adapt to various off-road conditions in addition to crossing water hazards up to 60cm deep. And to constantly remind you of this prowess, front and rear tow rings come standard.

Introduced in the US last year, the H3 already has a big fan base, especially among Hollywood actresses, who like it for its 'smaller' size and more 'economical' 3.7-litre engine (after all, the bigger H2 has a six-litre V8).

With its attention-grabbing looks and size, who knows, it might even gain a following here.

Engine: 3,653cc inline-5
Gearbox: 4-speed automatic transmission
Max power: 244 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Max torque: 328Nm @ 4,600 rpm
0-100 kmh: 8.8 secs
Top speed: NA Price: $235,988 (with COE)
Distributor: VinCar Pte Ltd. Tel: 6749-1119