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:

• 

  big hummer - 2004 Hummer H1
  By stromboli - October 28 - 2:00 am

  i love my hummer. it takes me anywhere i ever want to go. all the cost is worth owning one of these awesome machines.

• 

  Best yet - 2005 Hummer H2
  By DAK BAK - October 23 - 2:00 am

  LOVE IT, ride is comfort like no other SUV we have had and we have owned six over the last twelve years. Performance and the turning radius are great for the size of the vehicle. Gas milage is not that deferent from the other SUVs in comparison.

• 

  Awsome - 2005 Hummer H2
  By SundanceKid - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, reliable and a brute off road. Handles well in snow and mud. Gas mileage sucks, but expected.

• 

  2005 H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By CDFrausto - September 19 - 2:00 am

  The H2 drives and handles like large luxury sports car. The interior is user friendly and has all the creature comforts you could want as a driver. The turning radius is phenomenal for such a large vehicle. I could best describe this as a hippo ballerina, its large, but graceful.

• 

  Great SUV, if youre single - 2006 Hummer H3
  By bradoh3 - August 19 - 2:36 pm

  The H3 is eye catching. It has a large sunroof, big step in height, and the Hummer lines. I think GM has created an excellent SUV to compete against itself. Much better than Trailblazer/Envoy/Rainer SUVs in handling and quality construction. However, this is no Lexus.The H3 is not designed well for families with kids. 3 cup holders and no place for sunglasses.I would think $38,000 would buy a little more. Drivers info center (nope), large center console (nope), easy to reach window and seat controls (nope). For people without kids or as a second vehicle it is very fun to drive, feels safe, and is smooth even with 33inch wheels/tires.Of course I still love my H3, even with its shortcomings

• 

  Great vechile but drinks gas - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Petes mom - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I saw a Hummer at a dealership and knew I had to have one. Fun car to drive. It definately gets peoples attention. Kids love it too, when you drive by they stare, wave and want you to blow the horn! My only complaints are the stupid spare tire in the back, you cant see anything with it there (I already hit a post) and the way it sucks down the gas (its like me with beer=)!) Other than that its a really fun (but pricey) toy to play with! I say if you can afford it go out and get one!! Wait, what am I saying?! I enjoy having a "unique" vechile. Stay safe.

• 

  Hummin Along - 2004 Hummer H2
  By runninnl8 - July 20 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle to accommodate the mountain we live on....car is awesome! Drives like a luxury car..had leakage problems with the sunroof...heard its a common thing. Aside from that, the truck rocks.

• 

  My 2003 H2 one year summary - 2003 Hummer H2
  By KAs - July 6 - 2:00 am

  my one year summary reflects that i am totally happy with this vehicle. yea, gas has gone through the roof but i knew the miles per sucked when i got it. It still gets the looks from others and i like that. Having something differant and cool.

• 

  Great Truck - 2003 Hummer H2
  By ceads - June 26 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE IT. Ive had a Eddie Bauer EXP, Honda Pilot, 2x Explorers and this is the best Ive ever owned. Ive owned over 30 cars and is is one of the best all around. Its just not for looks ,it is a very good truck. The Honda was in the Shop 4x the H2 "0". The Mileage is only about .5 under my Ford and the same in town . Rides better than any of the others, GETS THE LOOKS every where we go . I have the DVD system and its better than my Hondas. Im glad i traded the PILOT EX for the H2

• 

  Buying Another - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Kdefinis2 - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I love it so much, buying the 2005 SUT in 2004.