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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  Buy the looks and the performance - 2007 Hummer H3
  By jag - September 23 - 2:11 pm

  Just saw the black tactical editon and traded a six month old Dodge 1500 hemi based on the wow factor and performance. So far no regrets, and although the gas mileage isnt great for a 5 cylinder its better than a hemi, and it doesnt require 89 octane

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  2 Thumbs Up - 2007 Hummer H2
  By HCW - September 21 - 9:34 pm

  The H2 exceeded my expectations. The mileage is average, 15mpg. Accleration is comparable of a 3/4 ton truck. Towing is great. One barely notices the difference with a 8200# load.

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  No Crossover SUV - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Jimbo - September 17 - 11:03 am

  Sits very comfortable. Good interior quality and layout. I love the styling. Maintains tough Hummer look with more off-road capability than most will need. Nimble and easier to maneuver and park around town than larger SUVs. Fairly tight 36 turning diameter. The 3.7L I5 engine has 242 HP and is enough power for most. It is a definite improvemnet over the original 2006 3.5L I5. The Alpha version has the V8, but I passed on that one. Too new to realistically assess reliabilty. But if 2007 H3 is a measure, then it should be fairly good.

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  Love my Tactical - 2007 Hummer H3
  By rhill20 - September 2 - 10:13 am

  Had an 06 and loved it. But the newer models are much better designed. Window buttons are better placement, has more power, and maybe Im imagining this but it rides better. Im 59" and have never had an issue with room.

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  07 Hummer H3, simply awesome! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By alvarezlouie - August 30 - 5:17 pm

  After purchasing an 07 Avalanche 6 mths ago I was dissatisfied, did my homework this time looking at H3s and similar to do a trade-in. The H3 is in a class by itself, looks great, performs excellent, very comfortable and comes with an aura of style and luxury. I thoroughly enjoy the looks it draws, the power it implies, the safety of a Hummer and the ability to tackle most terrains. I would highly recommend this SUV to anyone.

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  H2 is a great powerful vehicle - 2004 Hummer H2
  By JOE - August 27 - 11:39 am

  Owning an H2 is great. Everyone notices it and Ive never been stuck or even skidded in the snow. The only issue is its size. Sometimes its hard to park or find a lot big enough in downtown urban areas.

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  Review from a real hummer h3 owner... - 2006 Hummer H3
  By ProspectKyHummerH3 - August 25 - 4:33 pm

  Just a note that many of these negative H3 reviews should be disregarded, as most of them are NOT really H3 owners...just HUMMER haters. I have owned my Boulder Grey H3 for a month and a half and have enjoyed EVERY minute of it. I have not had ONE single problem with it either. Those that complain of the engines power...did you test drive it or read any of the reviews? I will give up a little power for improved gas mileage...especially now. I have the lux pkg., and it rides incredibly smooth. I dont know of any "actual" owner who has said that it is a rough ride. Everyone that has ridden in mine has been impressed with the handling and the finishing on the interior and exterior.

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  Too much fun - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Navjit Singh Brar - July 31 - 9:30 pm

  Have had it for about a month now. Dont know how I did without such a beautiful vehicle. I replaced my Jeep Wrangler and have not regretted one bit. Gas milage is good enough. The music system is just awesome, particulary if you are a Bhangra Jat. The truck is soooooo quite while driving, even on freeway runs. Went with the gut feeling and bought it. Passed up on an X3 whose test drive did not impress, if you take price into consideration. And, boy, what a head turner. Serious, I have driven about 25 odd people in it, sometimes in bunches. Good burnishing for your image! JATZDOIT

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  H3 Alpha - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Jenny - July 31 - 10:19 am

  For all of you that have driven the 2006 or the 2007 model H3 and found that the power was inadequate, this is your new Hummer! I love the H3, but the power of my 2006 just wasnt enough. When my local dealership recieved the first shipment of Alphas I went down and bought the first one! This was the best decision that Hummer has made yet! Now the power is great, they have added child locks, moved the window and door lock switches to a more comfortable position, and roof rail air bags are standard now. They are also very reasonably priced for all you are getting!

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  Gas mileage? Come on its a Hummer. - 2007 Hummer H3
  By off roadin it - July 23 - 9:20 am

  Ive had my H3 for 4 months now, and I really like driving it. Of course I have to endure the evil looks from the hippies, but I can take it. If you are looking for a capable off road vehicle that will get you noticed, this is definately for you. If you are looking for zero to sixty speed, buy a sports car.