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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  Favorite Vehicle of all Time - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Joyce Khoury - December 1 - 9:48 pm

  I have had a wonderful time driving my H2. I dont have to worry about winter driving, as I live in the NE. This vehicle can go through and over almost everything. I have not had any problems with it at all. I feel safer driving my H2 than any other vehicle I have owned, including several SUVs and compact sports cars from two Miataa to a four Jaguars. It is reliable, and comfortable. The only problem, of course, is the gas milage! I get l2.3 mi to the gal. The worst of any vehicle I have ever owned, with a 12 cylinder Jag. coming in at about the same. I find that other drivers do not tailgate or cut in front of me anymore. And likewise I feel I have become a safer driver. H1 next!!!!

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  DJA - 2005 Hummer H2
  By H2 - December 1 - 8:13 pm

  This is the second one we have owned. We have a large piece of property with some horrible roads. My wife loves the vehicle and wouldnt want anything else. It is very durable and I feel safer with her in it. It does get horrible mileage and is as aerodynamic as a box which makes it hard to keep the wind shield clean. Other than the mileage, we are thrilled with the vehicle and the way it handles.

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  Better by you, Better than me - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Bob - December 1 - 10:40 am

  Took it in the mud and tried to get it stuck and couldnt. Nice power and much better handling than Lincoln Navigator. No where near as nice as a luxury vehicle. Hummer is sporty trying to be luxury. Navigator is luxury trying to be sporty. Both failed.

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  h3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By zack - November 24 - 2:23 pm

  Really a nice truck. Has typical GM lack of thought. Hard to reach seat controls, window controls just where you would put your arm to rest, mi- installed exterior parts (upper marker lights, forward edge exposed makes horrible wind noise), no grab handle for the driver, no mirror for the driver. Overall a nice vehicle for the money it has just gotten the GM penny pinching that would have made it great!

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  Hummer H2 - Good Fun - 2006 Hummer H2
  By ortygang - November 15 - 2:08 am

  I bought an H2 used and have driven it all over California and Nevada. I take it off road and then back on the highway. It handled the rough dirt trail well and then was very smooth on the highway. I have owned many 4x4 vehicles including Toyota and Jeep and this Hummer is the best combination of everything a person would want. Dont mind the gas mileage. It gets only two to three MPG worse than the Yukon XL I have with the same engine. The fun factor is worth the extra dollars spent on gas. The interior is typical GM quality which is good but not great. Beware underground parking - they build them too small for the H2. Otherwise - buy a Hummer - Have some fun.

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  Very Satisfied - 2006 Hummer H2
  By DeBest - November 6 - 5:59 pm

  I have owned the vehicle for a short time but it has been very enjoyable and been a pleasure working with the dealership

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  Best SUV Ever - Cant ask for much more! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Dayna - November 6 - 1:50 am

  My husband and I bought this car a year ago right before we found out I was pregnant. This car is great for hauling a child around, plenty of room for a stroller, the DVDs that the H2 has as an upgrade is going to come in handing in a couple months and it feels safe when you drive. I have no complaints. Great family automobile.

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  Hummer H2 One Sweet Ride - 2006 Hummer H2
  By J T - October 17 - 5:30 pm

  A classic vehicle - serious utility. Performance is so much better than my Chevy HD crew and my Suburban. It looks a little small inside but my trip to shoot clays with the boys and the dog in a box fit fine. Clean up is reasonable. It would be closer to perfect if some of the grill, rear bumper and trim were metal. Aftermarket parts avail. BEST - its Made in the USA!!!! Imports kill our economy and cost your neighbors jobs. Wise up or sell out to China!

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  Mudding - 2005 Hummer H2
  By H2 - August 16 - 2:26 pm

  I like the feel of secureness. Being able to go over and trhough things with no problem. I enjoy going mudding. It handles so well. Very comfortable to travel in. I have put over 20,000 miles in less than 6 months. Its worth it

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  Baby hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Mari - August 9 - 6:16 am

  I had my "baby" hummer as many people refer to it since September, and i really like it. Its a real attention grabber, so get used to it. As far as power goes i dont feel it is sluggish when accelerating, the sunroof is great, very large the only problem is the visibility especially when backing up, Also i have the adventure package and there is quite a lot of noise in the vehicle when driving on the highway. i wonder if it is because of the huge 200 lb tires. Oh well i still love my "baby Hummer.