Overview & Reviews

Few vehicles are as instantly recognizable as a Hummer SUV. Unapologetically boxy and impossibly wide, these rugged vehicles were originally built for military use, and it shows. For Hummer aficionados, the fact that these mammoth rock-crawlers are tank-like both in appearance and nature is a selling point, not a flaw. Go to a Hummer dealer and all you'll see are SUVs. There is no such thing as a Hummer car, at least not yet.

The Hummer brand can actually trace its roots back to another military icon -- the Jeep. Designed by the Willys-Overland company in the 1940s, the Jeep became so popular that when Henry J. Kaiser purchased the Willys-Overland company in 1953, the name was changed to Kaiser-Jeep. In 1970, American Motors bought Kaiser-Jeep and renamed it the Jeep Corporation. At that point, Jeep was producing vehicles through two divisions: the Commercial Products division in Toledo, Ohio, and the Government Products division in South Bend, Indiana.

A year later, the Government Products division was spun off as a wholly owned subsidiary known as AM General. In the early 1980s, the company, now owned by the LTV Corporation, designed a vehicle to compete for a contract offered by the U.S. Army. Called the High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee, as it came to be known), it was designed to serve as the military's main light tactical vehicle. AM General won a 1983 production contract (the first of many with the U.S. Army) that required the delivery of 55,000 vehicles over a five-year period.

AM General's Humvees distinguished themselves in active duty during the Persian Gulf War in the early '90s. The vehicle's wartime prowess garnered a great deal of positive publicity, and not just within military circles. As a result, AM General (now under the ownership of the Renco Group) decided to introduce a civilian version of the Humvee, dubbed the Hummer, in 1992. In 1999, General Motors bought the rights to the Hummer brand name and became responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of future Hummer SUVs.

The original Hummer, called the H1, was sold for a few years as the brand's flagship vehicle. Production ended after 2006, but Hummer has been expanding its vehicle lineup to include vehicles that still possess the Hummer bravado but with more civilized road manners.

User Reviews:

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  Hummer 2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By william fincher - October 16 - 10:00 am

  gas mileage is not the best, however the vehicle requires only regular gas. The vehicle is fun to drive and performs better than expected as far as comfort and handling

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  2nd review addition-same vehicle - 2004 Hummer H2
  By linda fincher - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Love the vehicle One recommendation I would have for other owners is I changed my oil to a synthetic and with Mobil One I have increased my mileage to almost 12 mpg in town. And give the vehicle credit for only requiring regular gasoline.

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  love my hummer - 2003 Hummer H2
  By kimberz - October 15 - 7:14 am

  Alot of folks tryed to steer me away from purchasing a used first year production hummer. I ignored it and minus a couple of electrical "bugs" I have had to work out, it is a mechanically strong, reliable vehicle. As usual, GM delivers excellence that lasts for years to come. With a little patience, if you love H2s, they are a "sound" investment. All used vehicles will come with minor issues to be resolved. I have owned mine now for 2 years and have done less dollars in repairs than my tires have costed me. By the way, Cooper STT M/S are a couple hundred dollars more, but worth investing in on an all wheel drive...mine with rotation at oil change have lasted me 50,000 and they look TOUGH!

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  Cramped. - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Rsimon859 - October 12 - 7:18 pm

  For starters, I am 60", and 185LBS. The driver area is not suitable for taller, more built people. I feel cramped when I drive it. (I didnt choose this car, my parents did.) The windows are too small, the seats are hard to adjust, and the area is not spacious what so ever. The tiny 3.5 inline-5 doesnt perform to my expectations. Its slow, bulky, and when I go in the mud, it covers it in mud, (The mud flaps are a must). The CD player doesnt play homemade CDs, which really irritates me, so I must spend $300 on a new iPod. I am very disappointed with Hummer and GM for making this car so small. Really, you notice more Priuses when you drive it. I probably wont buy another Hummer again.

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  3 year Owner of H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Chris - October 9 - 11:19 pm

  I purchased my Hummer in August of 2006 and I have ZERO regrets to this day. I have had no mechanical problems or anything that needed major repair. I have enjoyed my H3 and I consider it a great buy. Regardless of what you hear about being a gas guzzler, my H3 gets approximately 14 mgp on a 20 gallon tank.

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  AM General - 2009 Hummer H2
  By Raider - October 9 - 4:46 pm

  Best vehicle ever for a family in 4X4 country. Alaska dishes out some rough conditions, but AM General built a vehicle that handles them with ease. With 9 airbags & seating for 7, safety is assured.

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  No Regrets - 2008 Hummer H3
  By scout70 - October 8 - 12:12 am

  During the 1970-1980s I owned several International Scout vehicles. They were tough and unstoppable off road. Thereafter no vehicle really took its place. Jeeps just dont cut it and are of the cookie cutter variety. My Hummer is big, tough and safe. Fun to drive and I have been caught in several big snow storms. The H3 can go anywhere and is always reliable. I have no regrets about buying this car. Mine is loaded with all of the options which makes it nice. Dealer support is excellent.

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  Would buy again - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Coordinatorinpink - October 3 - 9:17 am

  I LOVE this vehicle. Yes, it does have a big blind spot but the mirrors make up for it. I love the oversized sunroof and the handling in snow and rain. Roomy enough for three car seats in back seat and love the room in the rear of the vehicle. Sluggish when accelerating and the MPG is low but overall I love it and would buy it again.

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  Why buy any other - 2006 Hummer H3
  By KL - October 1 - 7:10 pm

  The H-3 thus far has been an exceptional vehicle to drive. I recently completed a 1400 mile road trip in my new Hummer and it was fantastic.I just wish it had more cargo room.

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  2008 H3 - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Karen Kraft - September 28 - 1:08 pm

  Bought this for my daughter who is a brand new driver. Wanted a "tank" to protect her - we LOVE IT. It rides great and I feel better knowing she is in a tank. Handles really well - didnt know much about these but since most of the new inventory at the dealerships were low and they werent dealing because of the cash-for- clunkers, we went the used route. Went looking for a truck - buying the hummer h3 was a whim but we are very happy with the vehicle.