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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  A real offroad truck - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Alisoh3 - February 28 - 10:16 am

  I am constantly amazed by how capable my 08 Alpha is off road. It will crawl up an down hills and rocks I cant even WALK up or down, and do so with no fuss and no drama.

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  Second Time Around - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Off Road - February 26 - 10:10 am

  Loved my 06 H3 Adventure Package and couldnt pass up to opportunity to move up to a 2008. The improved engine and tranny combo have greatly improved the in town driving experience. Ive owned Vettes, a Porsche, muscle cars, an Audi, a Lotus among others and the Hummer is more fun than all of them. Even competes with my GTI as a fun to drive vehicle. GM should keep making Hummers.

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  Excellence On and Off Road - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By Joy - February 16 - 1:00 pm

  This is the best off road vehicle I have ever driven! Drove them all. Great ride over rock, up rock and through the creeks. No stopping this one

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  last GM product - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By mailman2000 - February 10 - 7:30 pm

  worst piece of junk. I left on vacation on 1/31 transmission burned up with 1,800 miles on it the truck is still at the dealership in colorado being repaired im in Dallas and GM saysits your problem getting it back to Texas.

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  AMAZING - 2008 Hummer H3
  By PaulD - February 8 - 6:46 am

  This vehicle is AMAZING. Yes, amazing in the fact that Im amazed at why anyone, other than a discounted GM employee would buy one of these things! I have the 5 speed and have driven old dump trucks with tighter linkage. The front seats....are the WORST I have ever sat in. Feels like Im sitting in a bucket. The side bolsters make my right leg fall asleep because they press in so bad. A cheap attempt at sportscar type seating. The fold down rear seats dont fold down flat. The steering wheel doesnt telescope and should in order to make up for TERRIBLE seating position. Dirt and mud and snow are thrown onto the door handles from the tires. Id write more bad, but out of "characters remainin

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  Love my H2 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Happy Hummer owner - February 4 - 1:51 pm

  After owning Expeditions, Tahoes etc. this is by far the best SUV Ive purchased! Im extremely pleased with my Hummer in every way. I added a K&N induction system to improve power, but now the truck is a perfect 10 in my book.. I recommend the lux package with the sunroof and DVDs.

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  Happy with my Hummer - 2008 Hummer H3
  By RWright - February 3 - 3:21 pm

  Wow this is a really nice SUV. Traded a 06 4Runner and I am glad I did The H3 is a quality built SUV clean lines solid feel and the engine has gotten my respect. Very comfortable ride. Handling is great and power is adequate. Paid 32K for a 40k truck. Backup camera is a must. Rear window is small. Sound system is the best Ive ever owed

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  Disaster! - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By tyler - January 26 - 8:53 pm

  I bought this car for my ranch and it doesnt even work half of the time. I have always loved Hummers. I had a Range Rover for my ranch to drive up in the mountains and go off roading in. Owned a Hummer H2 before that. I am going back to a Range Rover. I hate this car!

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  2009 H3X Unstoppable! - 2009 Hummer H3
  By SAR Duty - January 22 - 8:36 pm

  Vehicle is unstoppable through record ice and snow storms this winter. Secure and extremely comfortable to drive. Heated seats are a must in our northern climate. SAR assignments in rough country, No problem! This unit can get er done! Superior build quality. The Monsoon sound system is wonderful. The HUMMERs vehicle hands- free calling phone works even in the most remote locations (even when our personal cell phone wont). Did we mention, we love this vehicle.

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  Solid performer - 2007 Hummer H3
  By keith - January 17 - 3:11 pm

  I find this vehicle to have adequate power and the off road performance is exceptional. Mine is stock and it is the best off roader I have had. Highway mileage however is not what was advertised. The 20 mpg must have been calculated going downhill. Get 14 in town and 17 on highway. Have a few minor rattles and would like to see less plastic used on interior, cargo room could be improved. Also would like more cubby holes for various items. Overall a good truck