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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  H3 A Solid Choice (but)... - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Rayvyn - November 20 - 6:36 am

  I have owned my H3 for a year now and racked up 14,000 miles so I think I can say it is an exceptional vehicle. I see ratings dragged down everywhere by test-drivers and tree huggers but when you are considering a new suv guesses and fairy tales should not be good enough. In a word it is a solid 8 for anyone other than a moterhead speed freak and a 10 for on / off road mixers... Sadly - it is and will always be both a GM and a low end model under the hood so until the design a specific v6 for it - you will be risking your money (as with any GM)... The only real problem is the weight and some pushing on neg. camber turns...

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  Different than the others - 2006 Hummer H3
  By gina4321 - November 3 - 3:06 pm

  My husband has a black H3 that he has totally chromed out..He has this H3 looking like it came out of a SEMA catalog. Its gorgeous and mean. I really enjoy driving and riding in the truck. Very comfortable, the front leather seats feel like recliners. Turning radius is fantastic. OnStar is wonderful!! We have had the H3 for about 9 months now and all we do is drive it. We have 24k miles on it and purchased it with 11k already on it. Have had 0 problems. We have taken it on an offroad Hummer weekend and Ive never seen a SUV do the things this one did. The H2s could not compete with its onroad capabilities. The only disadvantage is the fuel consumption, 15mpg,but takes reg. unleaded!

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  Re-Think it! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Mary C - October 20 - 12:28 pm

  After owning this vehicle for a year, I am ready to trade it. Loved the looks, but it is over-rated. It really lacks power and acceleration speed. Good for gas, but not for passing. Foot pedals are much too close. Fiance has a size 13-14 shoe and refuses to drive it. Power window controls are too far back and it has MANY MANY blind spots. You can hide a Civic behind you and not see it in rear-view or side mirrors. (No joke) I am 511 athletic female and vehicle still feels a bit tight for us with the leg room we need. Car seats do not fit well in the back seat without MUCHO effort. Great with obstacles and offroading, but lack of power just makes it a downer. Really just for "looks."

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  Im one of the first to drive - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Osymandis - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive been work with AM General for about two weeks now. My job is to learn how to drive the H2 on AM Generals off road course. Starting monday Ill be teaching others how to drive it off road. After getting behind the wheel of this monster, you wont want any other truck! I had the chance two days ago to take the truck to the Indiana National Dunes and try it out on my own. It ran over trees with ease, it did 100ft. dunes like speed bumps. I pulled up next to a guy in a Jeep Cherokee. I said, "Hey man, nice truck. My mom has one just like it." He then wanted to race me; so I tore hime a new rear with the H2s 6 litre V8 with 316hp.

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  2007 H3 way to go - 2007 Hummer H3
  By JNC - October 4 - 8:29 pm

  Good looking...Very good ride...Great Radio Fun to Drive...Worth the price... Handles very good and has some get up and go...... Have to get use to some blind spots.

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  great SUV, but safety warning - 2003 Hummer H2
  By dochummer - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had month to drive my Hummer and am generally and favorably impressed. My wife will be happier when I get the spare mounted on the back end. I found one potentially serious safety problem. THe front wheels are so far forward that when you hit standing water on the road during a heavy rain, it tends to plow the water up and forward in thick sheet that completely blinds the driver. The first time it happens is scarey. One needs to be prepared for this event since you will then experience 2-3 seconds without forward vision on the road.

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  Beast!! - 2006 Hummer H2
  By mike - September 25 - 7:27 pm

  I have only owned this Hummer H2 for about a month and a half now but man is it great. I am only 20 years old and can hardly afford it but it is worth all the money. I have had so many people compliment me on it so i am very proud to say i am a HUMMER owner! This is a real 4x4, sometimes when i go to the store i will park one tire up on the curb just to let people know what it can do. So if you are in the market for a new vehicle dont make any excuses just get it!!

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  Great vehicle for the price - 2007 Hummer H3
  By H3 Newbie - September 5 - 12:54 pm

  Great looking vehicle, the styling is awesome. King of off-roading. First SUV and definately best choice among competition. Would reccomend this vehicle!!

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  New HUMMER Owner - 2006 Hummer H3
  By BANGLE - August 21 - 2:43 pm

  Purchased new dark blue H3 base model for Michigan winters and the Hummer styling. Exterior design is striking. Off-road is great, very nimble and inspires confidence with ground clearance and stability. Good ride on-road. What is going on with the drivers side arm rest? I accidentally lower the windows when I get in with my elbow and the arm rest jabs into my leg (Im 62"). The drivers seat is positioned too low and deep. My left foot hangs up on the parking brake cable. Great buy overall, though. The 2007 has 15 more horsepower which would be nice.

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  Happy Camper - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Blue Max - August 15 - 7:00 pm

  This vehicle is a gas (no pun intended) to drive: fun and suited to both in city and long haul freeway trips at high speeds. It is actually very comfortable and quiet (this automatic has the Morocco Leather Luxury Package with sunroof) on long trips, not at all truck-like. It turns heads but doesnt cause the recriminations of the H2/H1 not that a Hummer driver much cares what is behind them, only what lies ahead! I am looking forward to winter driving and use the off road (Adventure Package) as part of my job. I have owned a Grand Cherokee as well as a full size Mitsubishi Montero and this is more masculine than both of them, combined. I recommend it as a good value with no pretensions.