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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  My Wrangler is getting JEALOUS..! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By C Elliott - October 21 - 5:51 pm

  I really wasnt in the market for another vehicle, but when my wife kept up how she found the "perfect" vehicle for me I went for a look-see. That said, my Wrangler YJ is sitting outside getting jealous, as I havent driven it since getting my H3. Regardless of others reviews, it is a true "Hummer" tried and true, just in a slightly smaller package. Weighing in at 5,885 lbs it has a very solid drive feel, but is extremely nimble when cornering or having to maneuver through traffic. The exterior draws looks in parking lots and Ive had people come up and say, "I didnt know that they still made these?". Thats when my pride shows through as I tell them its a 2007. On the mechanical side the 5 cyl engine coupled with the 5 speed Automatic gives peppy performance for such a heavy vehicle. If it had a larger V6, well that would have been nice, but Ive had it on the highway up to 85 without any issue. Mileage is what should be expected for a "tank" of an SUV and I go nearly 410 miles on a 23 gal tank, so 16-18 mpg. With the off road package it has two locked diff settings one 4W Hi / one 4W Lo and take it from me 4W Lo will take you ANYWHERE you dare to go. Approach and side slope angles are better than the Wrangler as it has a lower center of gravity given the short windows. Interior comfort is great with deep, contoured seats in front (mine are charcoal/tan bulletproof cloth) and reasonably deep seats in the rear. Truly, wont use them as "NO KIDS" so they will spend time flipped and folded which is a great little feature giving more room to the cargo area. Overall, I wouldnt trade my H3, unless that is they do start making them here in the USA again.!

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  Love my Hummer - 2008 Hummer H3
  By castlerock - October 12 - 8:51 pm

  This is the most fun vehicle I have ever owned. Handles and runs great. I am over 6 feet tall and have plenty of room to spare

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  Amazing Vehicle!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Shane - September 29 - 6:56 am

  Well lets just say I never want to park it. All of my friends keep twisting my arm to take them for a ride....my wife keeps trying to steal it and drive it to work.....I am blown away by the whole package. As others have mentioned...it drives like a dream....has a fabulous interior...the sound system is a killer......and everybody on the road has to get a second or third look at it as I drive by. What more could a SUV owner ask for???

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  2007 Hummer H3 better than expected - 2007 Hummer H3
  By kermit - September 22 - 2:49 pm

  Having read this review, I assume the author does not drive vehicles off-road. Yes, I agree the paved road performance is not racy, but I related performance for off-road conditions, which is why I bought it. The 12-way heated leather seats are extremely comfortable and there is lots of head room and leg room in the rear seat. Gas mileage improves as it breaks in. I get 20-21 mpg highway and 17 going to work- half highway (stop-n-go)/half streets. It is a luxury severe off-road SUV. It should be compared with Range Rovers not FJs or Grand Cherokees.

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  Got Bank? - 2004 Hummer H2
  By rtevans - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Once you go Hummer! Well if size matters then this is the right vehicle to buy. This is true SUV.

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  Fantastic Purchase - 2008 Hummer H3
  By BodyofWork07 - September 19 - 9:24 pm

  I orginally wanted to buy a H3 back in 2007. At that time, they were all above 30K. I recently test drove one and really enjoyed the look, feel, and ride. With the current pricing, I couldnt pass it up. This is such a neat vehicle and Hummer has delivered on the name.

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  Humming along - 2003 Hummer H2
  By mejbc - September 2 - 10:00 am

  A real crowd pleaser. Handles great and is very comfortable. Steers about like any car. A lot of leg room in the back seat. Fun to drive. Great acceleration for a large vehicle.

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  Fun as heck to drive - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Erik - August 23 - 11:04 pm

  Just rid myself of a Ford Escape and I absoutly love my New H3 Hummer. I feel like I am in a tank/armored vehicle with almost the interior of a Mercedes. It has plenty of power, drives very smooth and the MPG is better than the smaller Escape. Everything is really nice, not opulant but very nice and exudes quality. Very appropriate for they type of vehicle it is. Very muscular but refined, I dont think I could be any happier.

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  Off Road Savant - 2008 Hummer H3
  By James - August 14 - 5:32 am

  Have 5000 hard miles on my supercharged Alpha, driving the worst trails of the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada/Owens Valley/Death Valley region, then returning home to a sleepy suburb of Los Angeles where my neighbors shiny clean SUVs never see the dirt. The Hummer H3 rocks! The offroad capabilities are truly amazing, and after beating it up on horrific trails, has not failed to get me home. No overheating while crawling in low range straight up rocky canyons, with AC blasting, and outside temps over 100. Smooth ride over ruts and washboard at high and low speed. Had dealer install the optional skid plate protection, good investment. Nav system needs improvement, no guidance offroad!

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  H3 Dream - 2008 Hummer H3
  By CJK - August 12 - 7:45 pm

  I waited a long time and did lots of research before buying the H3. Overall, styling, comfort and American made played key factors. After driving the H3 for two months, I couldnt be more happy. It looks good its fun to drive, and it has more than enough room for a small family. It also feels safe and solid. I ordered some of the factory performance upgrades (intake and exhaust), and it has proved to have more than enough power for todays driving styles. Not a race car, but a great all around SUV.