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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  H3 Tactical "The Anti-Bling!" - 2007 Hummer H3
  By H3 Tactical Rocks - August 19 - 1:14 am

  I love my H3 Tactical Edition, it sports NJ Devil colors-Red/Black. I get looks from other H3s with their lame chrome packages, as this one stands out even more than they do with all that chrome. Chrome on a mountain climber? What? Color matching grille and black brush guard and tube steps and unassuming black stealthy spare tire cover make this the sweetest factory version of all H3s produced and thank God (for me) GM only made 1000 of these! Turning radius is unbelievably tight and bigger 3.7 does just fine on fuel with a nice throaty growl!

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  Off Road Savant - 2008 Hummer H3
  By James - August 14 - 5:32 am

  Have 5000 hard miles on my supercharged Alpha, driving the worst trails of the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada/Owens Valley/Death Valley region, then returning home to a sleepy suburb of Los Angeles where my neighbors shiny clean SUVs never see the dirt. The Hummer H3 rocks! The offroad capabilities are truly amazing, and after beating it up on horrific trails, has not failed to get me home. No overheating while crawling in low range straight up rocky canyons, with AC blasting, and outside temps over 100. Smooth ride over ruts and washboard at high and low speed. Had dealer install the optional skid plate protection, good investment. Nav system needs improvement, no guidance offroad!

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  H3 Dream - 2008 Hummer H3
  By CJK - August 12 - 7:45 pm

  I waited a long time and did lots of research before buying the H3. Overall, styling, comfort and American made played key factors. After driving the H3 for two months, I couldnt be more happy. It looks good its fun to drive, and it has more than enough room for a small family. It also feels safe and solid. I ordered some of the factory performance upgrades (intake and exhaust), and it has proved to have more than enough power for todays driving styles. Not a race car, but a great all around SUV.

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  A hummer we can all afford - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Jeanine - August 12 - 3:00 pm

  I picked up this truck on July 2nd, and each day cannot wait to drive it. I previously owned an Expedition and love this truck. The ride is very comfortable, although the engine power is far less than an Expedition. The pick-up is a little slow but once you get going you maintain speed very well. I didnt purchase this truck for the power, Ill keep my trans-am for that.

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  Fun to drive - 2007 Hummer H2
  By G. Smith - August 8 - 11:24 am

  I like it but am disappointed with the quality. After only 3000 miles and none of it off road, all the paint came off the nerf bar brackets and the chrome is pitted. There is rust leaking out around the screw heads on the exterior chrome luxury package upgrades as well. The driver seat is too plush with little stiff padding. If you weigh 200 pounds or more you will be sitting on the actual outer seat frame. If you are tall, you will have to lower the seat all the way to not hit your head.

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  Love my H3 - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Beverly - August 4 - 2:12 pm

  I love the over-all size of my 2007 H3. The mileage is good (17 MPG in town and 20 MPG mountain driving on the highway). For the size of this SUV, the H3 handles very well. We live in snow country, so it is a dependable and a sturdy, secure driving vehicle. I like the full time 4x4. The towing package is good wish we had bought the 2008 with the V8, for more power when towing. It is a fun vehicle to own.

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  Hummer Lover - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Hummer Lover - July 30 - 6:23 pm

  I have not gone off roading; however, city and highway driving has been unbelievable. Everyone looks at it and just loves it!

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  The Holy Grail - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Tony Wes - July 22 - 8:58 pm

  I would never ride in or touch a Hummer until I could finally afford one. Its like the Stanley Cup. You dont touch it until you win it. That day came a few weeks ago for me and it has been incredible! Love driving it, getting looks, surprisingly easy to park and so comfortable. I recently picked up my 60 something parents from the airport and they had no trouble getting in or out and thought it rode better than their own vehicles. I have always loved the look of the H2 and and now enjoying driving it every day. There is no comparison, it is the best.

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  06 Hummer H-3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Richard Lewis - July 21 - 3:40 pm

  It is very fun to drive. A real attention getter. It is very solid, wide and stable, great for winter weather conditions. You can really plow through bad weather with this little monster.

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  Excellent Truck - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Tonianne Bromberg - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I test drove this truck in the beginning of June and fell in love with it! It handles well it and drives better than my cadillac seville! I ran back one week later to buy it.