wow, I leave for a week and the hummer bashing takes over, then the smackdown, then the 'oh, maybe that's not as bad as I thought it would be'...
Anyway, went down to the dealer last week and got put on the list for the H3T. Of course there is no list yet, because GM hasn't released anything to their dealers
I talked with their 'most experienced' salesperson, he didn't even know the alphas came with a CI front diff. Not a whole lot of help
I don't think it's appropriate to directly compare the H3T to true off-road vehicles. If off-roading was my primary concern, I'd take a JK Rubi in a heartbeat - in stock form it will hold it's own against even a modded H3 (and carry the wife & kids). But start comparing an H3T in stock form with any other pickup and it will win (power wagon excluded, of course

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And as much as GM has had reliability issues, I've seen very few major issues with H3s (except the front housing). I've not had any issues with mine even though it was an early-build H3. And now w/the 100k powertrain & 50k everything else warranty, that's pretty strong support that GM thinks they've got at least some of their act together.
So GMs market for H3Ts are people who want a pickup that will do a great job off-road. Look at the accessories and they are all geared towards the adventure/family/haul perspective - no lift kits, no 35" tire options, etc. Given the wheelbase (longer than a suburban!) This won't be any serious rock-crawling rig, and will struggle at Moab, but that's not what it's being built for. Personally, I can't wait to see it in person!!