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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  Theres no other car like it - 2004 Hummer H2
  By DocEK - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Its the only car I ever wanted.

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  In love with my H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Grannie - December 11 - 7:24 pm

  At my age of 61yrs I feel so good when I am driving my Hummer not to mention just looking at it. It was given to me for my 38th wedding anniversary by my husband. I was a Saab girl until I test drove a Hummer. My grandchildren love it as well, everyone in the family wanted me to choose little less flashy car

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  You get what you pay for - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By bambeke - December 7 - 2:53 am

  The 09 H3T is as advertised. "The most versatile Hummer ever." The functional 5 bed, along with its ability to haul 5 adults makes it quite a utilitarian rig. Pros: Exterior styling, level of optioning, quality of build, V8 power, 4X capability. Cons: A little tight in the interior (i.e. 2 large guys sit pretty near shoulder-to-shoulder rear legroom is quite cramped), no lock on tailgate, gas mileage (i.e. The best I have obtained is 12 city 14 hwy), weak auto shift b/t 3rd & 4th gear. All noted, as a truck/SUV guy, I can not think of a vehicle in this price range that compares. Given the mid price point, you get what you pay for...perhaps even a little more.

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  I just love this vehicle - 2008 Hummer H3
  By ERIK - December 2 - 8:36 pm

  Still love it, very glad I purchased it. Dont those folks feel stupid now at fuel $1.81 a gallon. Very nice, I get a lot of compliments to boot.

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  Theres nothing like it! - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Clint Cord - November 25 - 12:58 am

  Having owned some very extravagant & exotic vehicles, there is nothing like a Hummer H2! Im embarrassingly proud to own such a magnificent & unmistakable machine! Id never even ridden in, let alone driven one before I bought online, sight unseen 2000 miles away - no disappointments! If youre looking and thinking about owning one - take the leap of faith and treat yourself!

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  Love my H3 - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Beverly Richardson - November 24 - 12:05 pm

  My H3 gets 20 mpg on the highway including mountain passes. It gets 15 mpg in town going to and from my work. I love the handling and stability of my H3. It is the Corvette of SUVs. It is comfortable, but I would like softer material in the cloth seats. But I do love the vehicle.

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  Hummer H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Mini Tonka - November 13 - 1:00 pm

  This is a great ride. Fun and sporty exterior, functional and comfortable interior. Running about 17 mpg right now. Could use a little more horsepower, but is adequate for this smaller Hummer. Accesories help beef up the H3. Many are not available until late summer. Interior fabrics are durable and attractive. Dashboard is well designed...easy to read...easy to reach. Center console storage area is a little small, but works. Large jockeybox. Second row seat comfortable- door access a little snug, but not bad. Second seats fold flat so lot of carrying capacity in rear. Rear door opens easy. Rear area has rubberized surface-easy to keep clean. Overall excellent vehicle for its size

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  Awesome H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By H3lady - November 10 - 2:03 am

  I finally have my Hummer, wanted one for years. The H-3 is very affordable and is worth more. I really like the comfort they put into the seating. Rides super!

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  Hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Felix - November 7 - 5:39 pm

  I recieved this vehicle as a sixteenth birthday gift and have been happy since! This is a fun vehicle to drive. It turns a lot of heads when you are stopped at a stop light or on the highway. The only thing I would change is the power window panel, move it closer so that it is easy accessible by hand. And I would suggest a third row. Overall I am satisfied

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  Love it! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Bobby - October 31 - 2:56 pm

  Ive had the H3 for a few months now and just love it. Mine is bright yellow which I think is a fantastic color. I read a lot of reviews criticizing its engine so I was really expecting a lot of lag when I first test drove it. Unless you drive on hilly roads regularly, I feel the engine is more than adequate. Youre not going to win any races but its an SUV not a sports car. Have gotten a lot of compliments and its not like it just came out.