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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  Passionate about my H3 - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Calamitygirl - February 28 - 9:03 pm

  This is my second H3! This vehicle has performed on/off road better than I ever imagined. It has that solid sound when you close the door. The Monsoon stereo system is a big plus. I love to off road, why, because I know my H3 can take me places I never imagined going. The Adventure Package has opened up new trails literally. Next stop, Moab, Utah. I know my truck will live up to my expectations and then some! Whether Im going down the highway at 70 mph or climbing up a steep hill, my H3 holds her own every time!

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  A real offroad truck - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Alisoh3 - February 28 - 10:16 am

  I am constantly amazed by how capable my 08 Alpha is off road. It will crawl up an down hills and rocks I cant even WALK up or down, and do so with no fuss and no drama.

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  Second Time Around - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Off Road - February 26 - 10:10 am

  Loved my 06 H3 Adventure Package and couldnt pass up to opportunity to move up to a 2008. The improved engine and tranny combo have greatly improved the in town driving experience. Ive owned Vettes, a Porsche, muscle cars, an Audi, a Lotus among others and the Hummer is more fun than all of them. Even competes with my GTI as a fun to drive vehicle. GM should keep making Hummers.

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  Excellence On and Off Road - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By Joy - February 16 - 1:00 pm

  This is the best off road vehicle I have ever driven! Drove them all. Great ride over rock, up rock and through the creeks. No stopping this one

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  Love my H2 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Happy Hummer owner - February 4 - 1:51 pm

  After owning Expeditions, Tahoes etc. this is by far the best SUV Ive purchased! Im extremely pleased with my Hummer in every way. I added a K&N induction system to improve power, but now the truck is a perfect 10 in my book.. I recommend the lux package with the sunroof and DVDs.

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  Happy with my Hummer - 2008 Hummer H3
  By RWright - February 3 - 3:21 pm

  Wow this is a really nice SUV. Traded a 06 4Runner and I am glad I did The H3 is a quality built SUV clean lines solid feel and the engine has gotten my respect. Very comfortable ride. Handling is great and power is adequate. Paid 32K for a 40k truck. Backup camera is a must. Rear window is small. Sound system is the best Ive ever owed

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  2009 H3X Unstoppable! - 2009 Hummer H3
  By SAR Duty - January 22 - 8:36 pm

  Vehicle is unstoppable through record ice and snow storms this winter. Secure and extremely comfortable to drive. Heated seats are a must in our northern climate. SAR assignments in rough country, No problem! This unit can get er done! Superior build quality. The Monsoon sound system is wonderful. The HUMMERs vehicle hands- free calling phone works even in the most remote locations (even when our personal cell phone wont). Did we mention, we love this vehicle.

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  Nothing Else Like It! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Boeing777 - January 2 - 7:24 pm

  I bought limited "tactical edition," which is base black-colored H3 model--equipped with sunroof, brushguard, tire cover, tubular steps, grill, interior trim package, bsw tires, and powder- coated wheels, all colored black. Understandably, when detailed/washed this vehicle looks sharp, always turning heads. Fun to drive/ride, especially on longer drives. Handles well: quite reliable in both snow and heavy rains. Although this vehicle does not get optimal fuel mileage around town, it does much better on highway driving (achieving better highway mileage than my special edition Xterra). Love your H3 it sought out you!

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  Nice Truck! - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By David - December 26 - 10:07 pm

  I traded in an 08 Silverado crew cab for the H3T. I opted for the 5-speed manual and adventure package. This truck is a true pleasure to drive. The five cylinder has plenty of grunt and is at its best when mated to the manual transmission. This is not a race car by any means though! The interior is nice and the seats are top notch. The mileage so far has been good, 16.5 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. This is better than what i averaged with the Silverado. The H3T benefits from the longer wheelbase (better ride) and the full size rear doors. We also own an H3 which helped seal the deal to purchase an H3T. They are both unique vehicles that not everyone would appreciate.

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  Move Over Wrangler - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Ashley - December 18 - 10:58 pm

  Ive fallen in love with Hummer H3. It has great stock performance on mud terrain, and it can be submerged in water. The ride is comfortable, and since its manual, its a blast to drive. It rumbles like an F250, but thin enough to get through off-road trails in the woods. When I first heard of the H3 I felt it wasnt going to be "manly" enough for me, but the first time I drove it, the car changed my mind completely. Its extremely spacious, and the interior is perfect for its off-road, military look yet its very modern and designed well for the not-so military-type. Speakers are great as well as the subs. Seats are comfortable. It handles well at high speed, and has so-so acceleration.