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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  Very Best SUV ever! - 2006 Hummer H2
  By linda peluso - December 16 - 12:44 am

  Best, safest, super great looking and most dynamic vehicle we have ever owned and will chose to own nothing but an H2. Aside from the fact that it is not a fuel efficient truck, this is a challenge most certainly, and that it is missing a rear view camera which should be a mandatory factory installation, this truck is a must see and drive and get to know! Thanks GM!

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  Xtreme SUV-Got me hummin - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Pamela Bankert - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Wicked fun to drive. Turns on a dime, Incredible stability, no jiggling, rocking or rolling around turns. Its a gas guzzler but it qualifies for the farm vehicle deduction! 10" ground clearance making those nasty mall parking berms mere childs play. One warning: if youre short, get ready to climb on the hood and roof to clean the windows and sunroof! The flat front window is a bug-magnet. You wont want your husband to catch you sliding off the hood, but if you have to-the roof handles are great for helping to get your feet back on the ground in one piece.

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  Teejs H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By TYoung - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I love my new H2. I live a pretty rigorous life and I enjoy the outdoors. I have done quite a bit of off roading in my hummer and its always a blast. I also own a jeep wrangler and have found that I am able to go further and deeper witht the H2. It is most definitely a luxury vehicle. It is extremely comfortable on the inside. I opted for the external tire carrier for my spare tire, and now I have plenty of room in the back for groceries and other cargo. I am very pleased with my purchase in every way!

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  Theres no other car like it - 2004 Hummer H2
  By DocEK - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Its the only car I ever wanted.

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  In love with my H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Grannie - December 11 - 7:24 pm

  At my age of 61yrs I feel so good when I am driving my Hummer not to mention just looking at it. It was given to me for my 38th wedding anniversary by my husband. I was a Saab girl until I test drove a Hummer. My grandchildren love it as well, everyone in the family wanted me to choose little less flashy car

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  Love my H3 - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Beverly Richardson - November 24 - 12:05 pm

  My H3 gets 20 mpg on the highway including mountain passes. It gets 15 mpg in town going to and from my work. I love the handling and stability of my H3. It is the Corvette of SUVs. It is comfortable, but I would like softer material in the cloth seats. But I do love the vehicle.

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  Hummer H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Mini Tonka - November 13 - 1:00 pm

  This is a great ride. Fun and sporty exterior, functional and comfortable interior. Running about 17 mpg right now. Could use a little more horsepower, but is adequate for this smaller Hummer. Accesories help beef up the H3. Many are not available until late summer. Interior fabrics are durable and attractive. Dashboard is well designed...easy to read...easy to reach. Center console storage area is a little small, but works. Large jockeybox. Second row seat comfortable- door access a little snug, but not bad. Second seats fold flat so lot of carrying capacity in rear. Rear door opens easy. Rear area has rubberized surface-easy to keep clean. Overall excellent vehicle for its size

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  Awesome H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By H3lady - November 10 - 2:03 am

  I finally have my Hummer, wanted one for years. The H-3 is very affordable and is worth more. I really like the comfort they put into the seating. Rides super!

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  Love it! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Bobby - October 31 - 2:56 pm

  Ive had the H3 for a few months now and just love it. Mine is bright yellow which I think is a fantastic color. I read a lot of reviews criticizing its engine so I was really expecting a lot of lag when I first test drove it. Unless you drive on hilly roads regularly, I feel the engine is more than adequate. Youre not going to win any races but its an SUV not a sports car. Have gotten a lot of compliments and its not like it just came out.

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  My H2 gave its life for me. - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Blessed - October 24 - 3:27 pm

  After kissing my little boy and heading to work, a woman ran a red light going 50-70mph. My Hummer was t-boned on the drivers side and then due to her speed, flipped onto its headlights and upside down on its roof, sliding 20 feet. The jaws of life cut me out of my totaled Hummer. I suffered only minor injuries in an accident that would of killed me in any other vehicle. I was released from the hospital in time to kiss my little boy goodnight. The emergency crew said buying the Hummer was the best decision of my life.