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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  H2 REVIEW,2004 LUX SERIES. - 2004 Hummer H2
  By TANKE - June 8 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THE TRUCK!!! BIG ATTENTION GETTER,GETS COMMENTS EVERYWERE I GO. LOTS OF ROOM.PLENTY POWER FOR A TRUCK THIS SIZE.

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  Killer on Gas - 2006 Hummer H3
  By tommie N J - May 24 - 7:43 am

  Own it now about 8 months, looks great, nice ride, great sound system as long as its just using CDs and this is the optional system, 1,100 dollars !!! I cant understand the folks here getting 20 + miles per gallon On the Hi- way Im lucky in getting 16 mpg . My lease is up in 2 1/2 yrs. thank GOD Only thing i can say it that it does ride nice and looks great interior has some issues, IF youre looking to purchase one remember gas will be about $3.75 by the end on the summer

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  Great vehicle for long trips & off-road - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Maratha - May 13 - 2:00 am

  PART-I Good handling for size and weight, good acceleration (but dont expect an M5 like 0-60) for merging and changing lanes, very comfortable interior (ergonomically correct and easy to use). Friends and strangers alike, who had a negative opinion about Hummer brand name, like it after close inspection and ride. Fuel economy: 11.2 mpg (10 in the city and 12 on freeways) Comfortable long drives. The high stance offers unparalleled views on the freeways and bridges. The structure offers a very secure feel while driving. Wind noise is nil till ~75-80 mph. No significant blind spots (even with the huge spare tire!).

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  New H3 Lux and Off-Road!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By MiKe - May 9 - 2:40 am

  Awesome.Traded my dodge hemi in 4 it and love it. Less getup and go but love it! Great looks-rides great road noise isnt bad-nothing u cant cure by turning up the monsoon stereo system. Drive to Dallas 3 times a month and its been great. I did notice i have no place to hang my dry cleaning-No Hooks in back? Could move the seat heater controls to where you can see whether the passenger side is on or off and make more room for your hand to access the seat controls. Also I agree with moving the window controls up a bit as someone else pointed out in a previous review. Otherwise no complaints. I used my GMID and got the vehicle @ Invoice.I highly recommend getting one if youre looking at buying an H3.

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  Fun car for everyone - 2004 Hummer H2
  By RDogfever - April 23 - 2:00 am

  All who have seen or ridden in this rig have been impressed. Granted it is somewhat of a status symbol to some, but most think it is a beatiful, fun looking vehicle. Its very quit inside in spite of the massive tires and has an excellent seating arrangement that is comfortable for all. The sound system really belts out the tunes through the 9 speaker Bose system. The sunroof is a must! Its the largest on the market. Shes heavy and rather large, but nimble and easy to maneuver in small parking lots.

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  HEAD TURNER !!!!!!!! - 2003 Hummer H2
  By mr t - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE EVERY THING ABOUT MY METALLIC RED H2. IF I HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE IT WOULD BE AS MOST SAY THE INTERIOR ROOM IS A BIT LACKING. OH WELL, I DRIVE MINE BY MYSELF MOST OF THE TIME ANYWAY !!!! PLENTY OF ROOM UP FRONT, BACK SEATS A BIT CROWDED

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  feels cool - 2006 Hummer H3
  By william - March 30 - 8:26 pm

  I have never owned a suv that i had so many people ask me about. its a head turner and something very different from others. its an over the top ride without an over the top price. As my girl friend put it, its a SUPERCAR!

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  Like it for what it is - 2004 Hummer H2
  By rifle - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This has been the most reliable GM product I have owned. It doesnt quite compare to the Japanese products though. For what it was designed for, it is a great vehicle.

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  a fun runlooks - 2004 Hummer H2
  By bob bond - March 21 - 2:00 am

  have had lots of 4 wheel drive vehicles this is the best and most fun----I loveit, but burns a lot of gas----heck who cares

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  Great vehicle and fun to drive - 2004 Hummer H2
  By sprite217 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle can do anything! Its a tank in disguise, comfortable and has a killer stereo system.