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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  Best all aroun Suv - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Janis - December 30 - 2:37 am

  I am very happy with this vehicle. Have driven other Suvs Cadillac Escalade etc. and feel with the hummer you get more bang for the buck. Love the roomy interior and although it is a large car, I dont feel I have to many problems parking. Fuel is a draw back but the Cadillac escalade only gets an average 13.9 and runs on premium I am getting 11.00 and use regular. Except for fuel mileage I absolutely love this vehicle.

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  H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Mickey - December 27 - 9:33 pm

  I love the look and feel of this vehicle. I have had no mechanical problems with the vehicle and gas mileage was what I expected from this type of vehicle.

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  Bad Boy - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Salina - December 27 - 8:06 pm

  This bad boy is sleek, sexy, and COOL!! No matter what occasion...whether it be a wedding, rodeo, skiing, dancing, or just a trip to the grocery store, this truck will take you there with class. Bottom line......If you want to ride in comfort and style, and dont have any worries about gas...This is IT!!

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  from la. - 2004 Hummer H2
  By r osteen - December 21 - 12:02 pm

  my second hummer and i will get another one awesome ride instead of the saying rides like a cadillac should be rides likea hummer

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  Only downside is gas mileage - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Salman - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive SUV. Comfortable, lots of room, extra gawk factor, feel like you own the road look (actually you do!!!). Sometimes one forgets they are driving an SUV this size cos it handles so easily. Definitely better than buying any other SUV in this price range.

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  Excellent SUV - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Mega - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This is an awsome SUV.

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  Truth about Hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Chris Garcia - December 18 - 11:54 pm

  Awesome truck!!!! Gets lots of attention, you must feel comfortable driving large vehicles to drive this daily. Terrible gas mileage, but the ride and power make up for it.

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  hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Lisa Klein - December 18 - 9:57 pm

  We live in Iowa, weve had about 18 inches of snow so far this year and I dont have to worry about getting around, I can drive any where and feel 100% safe. The only regret I have so far is there is no complete third row seat offered. Otherwise am completely happy.

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  h2honey - 2003 Hummer H2
  By mark swineford - December 17 - 2:24 am

  strong suv super ext.styling love the added ground clearence a real head turner we have enjoyed ownership of this suv the overall look is what pushed us to buy it over any other suv choices that are out there today

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  HUMMER - 2006 Hummer H3
  By GARY - December 16 - 2:53 am

  Nice machine, beefy and gets alot of looks. Why? Who knows. Is it because its a new vehicle, because of the black color, because of its unique design, or is it simply because its a HUMMER. I think Consumers Report magazine was way off on their review. Some findings are correct but overall it is nothing you cant live with. I find it to be alot less smaller than the gas sucking large suvs and some of those king size trucks. You wont feel worried driving this size HUMMER! It is much more efficient than many other vehicles on the road today! Good price!