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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  New Toy - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Bigdog - July 30 - 10:41 am

  This was a purchase that was a dream three years ago... before gas prices went through the roof! Other than the need for a fuel tanker following you the SUV is everything you would want in a new vehicle. Comes with every bell and whistle you would want! From my driving experience it is a dependable auto that takes a few days of driving to get use to the front view difference. There is a blind spot on the car however and this could become an issue if your not carful! Anyway great unit to drive and if something changes I will add something else. I have only had the car for three weeks!

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  Love It! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Donna - July 14 - 2:29 pm

  I love this vehicle and so do my childern. I feel safe and the interior of the vehicle is very comfortable and the ride is also. GM makes a great auto

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  nice - 2006 Hummer H3
  By alex - July 4 - 5:10 pm

  I just got my h3 two days ago, its rely nice it drives like a dream, looks great, and the sunroof is huge. but i have put only 150 miles on it and it is already in the shop, i got a mesage "service 4wheel drive" some one came out from the dealership to fix it but i had to be towed, i didnt even take the vehical off road and it still broke, hopefully it was justa factory error and it wont happen again, thjis is common with new vehicals hopewfully no too common with mine

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  Id buy another one. - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Richard - June 13 - 8:00 pm

  Those who criticize the H2 have obviously never taken one down the highway - or off road. Pay no attention to criticism this vehicle has received from those who havent taken the time to fully understand its powers. There is nothing on the market that compares. Having owned 30 cars in 25 years - Ill tell you simply .. this is the best .. hands down. It has incredible highway skills, is fearless off road or through a blizzard and is elegant driving down Sunset Blvd. Inside the H2 with the windows up and XM Radio off, youll never even know the engine is running. My H2 secret! Drive at 60 on the highway and youll get 21 miles to the gallon!! My wife was stunned. She now want an H3.

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  STRONG - 2005 Hummer H2
  By CAMPMAN - May 18 - 8:22 pm

  Though the fuel consumption could be a lot better, and some of the interior components are a little weak (housing around the shifter, for example, feels lightweight) overall the H2 is a great vehicle. Comfortable, safe, and very capable of either highway cruising or driving off-road. Overall, the experience so far (3 months later) has been a great one.

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  H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By mari - May 13 - 4:48 pm

  I love my H2. My mileage was about the same as other large SUVs (approx. 12 miles per gallon). The vehicle handles very well and drives smoothly. The only negative is on the 2004 model the spare tire is on the inside and takes away space. (2005 models come with the spare on the outside)

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  new hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By chris - April 13 - 4:30 am

  Priced right, and great looks. The H3 clearly beats all its competitors. A little soft in the acceleration department. Goes great off road. Some interior buttons are a bit small. A blast to drive. I am 5 7" and there are some large blind spots. You need to use your mirrors all the time and the glance over the shoulder can show you the back seat anyway. An after market seat cushion eliminated almost all of this. I am getting an honest 15 mpg in town, and havent done enough highway to really quote. I have a standard Adventure series, and I am not sure what else you could need for options. Leather would be great, but once you start adding things, the price goes up quickly. Love it

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  use it - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Trevor - April 11 - 7:23 pm

  its a fun head truner that easy to make different form the other on the road. H2 are not the fast but that not what you get it for, its great off road and if you get one you should use it so you can respect what its about. but at the same time its comfort level is there with any other SUV.

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  Boxy But Sexy - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Scarboy - March 27 - 11:19 am

  Overall this vehicle has met my expectations. Negatives-- It could use more front seat leg room and it would be nice if the 2nd row seats reclined. Interior jack location could have been thought out better. Windshield leaked from poor installation at factory and both front seat height adjustment switches have gone out. Positives--This vehicle will perform as advertised. It handles/performs like a sports car and almost nothing short of water submersion will stop it. If you have to get the "heck out of dodge" this is the vehicle. Just fill up the tank at every opportunity. Would definitely buy again.

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  Abbys review - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Big Gurl - March 23 - 11:15 pm

  I am really enjoying my H2 - I have a 2005 and the color is stealth gray. I enjoy the comfort and the stares as well! Anyone purchasing this vehicle must know that its a gas guzzler so dont go in blindly. The fun outweights it. I use mine as an everyday vehicle. It runs just fine!