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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  H3T Amazing! - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By largemouthbass - January 16 - 2:50 pm

  Traded in my ZR2 Jimmy for the H3T. Best decision I have ever made. This truck is amazing! Lots of room, handles great and with the 5 speed manual its super fun to drive. Build quality is great and I am getting much better gas mileage with the I5 then I used to get with the piggish 4.3 V6 in the Jimmy. Has enough power for my needs and off road or in snow this truck is a dream. To top it off having the pick up bed makes this truck so much more practical and useful. A+

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  Awesome but Dangerous - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Aaron Kush - January 15 - 11:53 pm

  I always wanted a HUMMER and finally in November my wife let me get the H3 and I loved it until this weekend. While driving 40 mph my 2 year old son reached over to the "locked" door and opened the door. How did he do that? There are no child safety locks on the H3, even though I was told when I bought the vehicle that there was. Hummer told me if I disable the lock I will void my warranty, so instead is my son supposed to fall out of the vehicle. The option I was given was to ductape my door, $40k to put tape on my locks? Sorry, not good enough. IF you are without kids buy this vehicle; otherwise, be careful. See you in court GM.

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  Nothing Else Like It! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Boeing777 - January 2 - 7:24 pm

  I bought limited "tactical edition," which is base black-colored H3 model--equipped with sunroof, brushguard, tire cover, tubular steps, grill, interior trim package, bsw tires, and powder- coated wheels, all colored black. Understandably, when detailed/washed this vehicle looks sharp, always turning heads. Fun to drive/ride, especially on longer drives. Handles well: quite reliable in both snow and heavy rains. Although this vehicle does not get optimal fuel mileage around town, it does much better on highway driving (achieving better highway mileage than my special edition Xterra). Love your H3 it sought out you!

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  Hummer Time - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Dan - December 31 - 1:26 pm

  Have owned for 3 months now. Just got back from a weakend at AM General Hummer course in South Bend IN. Dealer sponsored event. I am amazed at what the H3 will do. Went off roading with H1 and H2s. Thought I might be outclassed by bigger more expensive Hummers. The H3 will handle anything and H2 can and more. I have pics of H3 pulling the H2 out of the mudd. On road H3 is smooth and comfortable to drive.

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  Nice Truck! - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By David - December 26 - 10:07 pm

  I traded in an 08 Silverado crew cab for the H3T. I opted for the 5-speed manual and adventure package. This truck is a true pleasure to drive. The five cylinder has plenty of grunt and is at its best when mated to the manual transmission. This is not a race car by any means though! The interior is nice and the seats are top notch. The mileage so far has been good, 16.5 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. This is better than what i averaged with the Silverado. The H3T benefits from the longer wheelbase (better ride) and the full size rear doors. We also own an H3 which helped seal the deal to purchase an H3T. They are both unique vehicles that not everyone would appreciate.

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  Limited Victory Red Edition - 2004 Hummer H2
  By icecoldbeer - December 22 - 2:46 pm

  Drives great and handles like a charm. I loved this car up until it hit 95,000 miles, then it became a money pit and the market is so upside down (not GMs fault) that its hard to make sense what to do with it. It treated me well with no breakdowns for 3 years, then the instrument gauges quit one by one, the water pump went out, the a/c recirculation does not work well, the electric mirrors quit, the windshield gasket vibrates above 60 MPH. Repairs on high mileage cars are expected but it seems like everything on the H2 costs between $500-$1000 to get fixed. Probably wont spend $65,000 on another Hummer. They are really worth about $50,000 at most fully packed with all the good stuff.

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  Move Over Wrangler - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Ashley - December 18 - 10:58 pm

  Ive fallen in love with Hummer H3. It has great stock performance on mud terrain, and it can be submerged in water. The ride is comfortable, and since its manual, its a blast to drive. It rumbles like an F250, but thin enough to get through off-road trails in the woods. When I first heard of the H3 I felt it wasnt going to be "manly" enough for me, but the first time I drove it, the car changed my mind completely. Its extremely spacious, and the interior is perfect for its off-road, military look yet its very modern and designed well for the not-so military-type. Speakers are great as well as the subs. Seats are comfortable. It handles well at high speed, and has so-so acceleration.

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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!