The Hummer they won’t hate you for

At last: a smaller, higher-mileage, lower-cost Hummer to keep tree-huggers from getting their shorts in a knot.

People who frown at a big Hummer H1 or H2 smile at this little H3. The H3 is smaller than its giant stablemates, though hardly minuscule. You still need optional tubular assist steps to lift yourself into the cabin and a ladder to reach the roof.

But the 2006 H3 is a smaller Hummer nonetheless, a midsize sport-utility vehicle that’s 16.9 inches shorter in length, 6 inches shorter in height and 6.5 inches narrower than its big brother, the full-size H2.

It can still ford a 24-inch-deep stream, however, or climb 16-inch rocks while making its way up a 60-degree grade.

Of course, you usually won’t encounter any 24-inch-deep streams or 16-inch rocks on the freeway -- but if you did....

We tested the ’06 H3 that went on sale in May. It sacrificed some size, but not the novel Hummer design with its flat, almost cartoon-like roof, bold seven-slot grille, oversized radial tires and more-wide-than-tall look.

Although the oldest and biggest member of the Hummer family, the giant H1, handles and sounds like a bulldozer, the H3 provides a cushioned ride and predictable handling and makes no more noise than a family sedan.

Being wide and squat helps hold the road. As is often noted, you have less chance to wobble on a bench than on a stool.

And the H3 is far more agile than an H1 and slightly more so than an H2, with quick response to steering-wheel input and a turning radius the same as that of a compact Chevrolet Cobalt sedan.

The H3 slips between the lines in the parking lot without having to make a wide swing, although getting out of the parking slot is a bit tricky because wide roof pillars behind the front doors block some of the side view.

The smaller H3 is derived from the midsize Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon pickup truck.

“A portion of the population looked at the H2 and said, ‘Is that really necessary?’ The H3 is more acceptable,” Hummer General Manager Susan Docherty said in an interview.

Because it’s derived from the midsize General Motors pickup, H3 offers the same 3.5-liter, 220-horsepower 5-cylinder engine. Some might argue for more horses, but the Hummer folks were more interested in mileage than muscle. The H3 is rated at 16 mpg city/20 mpg highway with manual transmission, 16/19 with automatic. Being able to boast 20 mpg fuel economy counted more than how fast it can travel from 0 to 60 mph.

“The H3 is more acceptable,” Docherty said.

Acceptable, but still not a fuel-sipping economy model. Stay tuned. Docherty thinks there’s room in the Hummer lineup for an even smaller, higher-mileage H4.

As noted, the optional tubular steps ($695) are a must for anyone less than 6 feet tall to get in or out of the cabin with a shred of grace. Remember, H3 is a smaller, but by no means petite, Hummer.

You don’t miss being 16.9 inches shorter in length than an H2 when it comes to parking or fitting it into the garage, but those familiar with the H1 or H2 will notice the 6.5-inch-narrower cabin.

One of the attractions of an H1 or H2 is that you are at a distance from fellow passengers and can stretch arms and legs without bumping anyone.

The cargo hold is large enough for lots of gear. But if you need more space, be warned that the second-row seat backs don’t fold flat, and leave a wall about 4 inches higher than the cargo floor. So anything placed on top of the seat backs will wobble.

“That’s something we’re working on,” Docherty said.

Standard features include air conditioning; power windows, door locks and mirrors; AM/FM stereo with CD player; and rear-window defogger.

Popular stand-alone options include a wide-opening power sunroof at $800, side-curtain air bags with rollover sensors at $395 and AM/FM with CD player and MP3 player at $695.

Although a starting price of $35,000 was expected, the H3 has a base price of $28,935 with manual transmission and $30,620 with automatic.