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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  Hummer H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Hummer H2 - July 20 - 10:44 am

  Bought this H2 new and love it. It has been one of the best vehicles that I have ever owned. My wife drives it as the daily driver, I know that she and my family are safe while in it. I would be more than happy to get another one after this one. I have not added any bling, but I thinking of added a few things, but not to go over- the-top. Overall satisfaction on a scale of 1-10 (8.9).

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  There is only one Hummer - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Eyedoc164 - July 14 - 5:39 am

  Stopped at a light next to a black H3 with chrome package and the mrs said that is our next car!. With sunroof and luxury package and chrome package, not much more you can add. Truck is not a speed demon and there are some blindspots that are compensated with oversize side mirrors. You ride high, you ride safe, and you ride the sharpest SUV on the road. Terrific turning circle. Not larger or less maneuverable than my last GMC Envoy. All my friends said, you leased a Hummer?? Then they cant wait to drive it! Having a ball humming down the highway!

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  H3 is for Me - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Hummer Lover - July 10 - 7:20 pm

  What a fun vehicle to drive. This is my favorite vehicle that I have ever had. I have the 5 speed stick and love it. The stereo, navigation, sunroof, and leather are excellent. Mine did not come with the pipe running boards so I bought polished stainless ones online for $186 delivered and installed myself in about 45 min. The rear visibility is poor so I also bought a hitch scan system at Pep Boys which plugs into the hitch receiver and uses the wiring harness for power. It uses ultrasonic waves to detect if anything is behind car when in reverse. It takes about 10 min to unpack and install for $99.

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  Safe Car to Ride with new Baby - 2007 Hummer H3
  By ToughMomma - July 2 - 11:31 am

  My hubby got me an H3X model for our 1st year anniversary. He wanted the H3 tactical, its a newer model that just came out from Hummer, but I got him to get the H3x instead. This SUV is nice, fun, and safer to drive. I feel like I am the king of the road with my baby boy with me. I loved the Nav system and the Monsoon stereo system that comes with. I have the Dessert orange with all the chromes all over it. I get the looks from passers/drivers all the time! Gotta love this SUV.

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  Truly Exceptional - 2006 Hummer H3
  By CPJNO1 - June 21 - 1:58 pm

  I have had my H3 now for just over a year and I absolutely love it. It is an extremely comfortable ride and, undoubtedly, the best looking SUV out there. I average about 18 MPG combined so the fuel economy is on par with most vehicles in its class. Driving it here in Buffalo during the winter is a blast, as it taking it off road north of the border. Even in extreme conditions, it has passed in flying colors. I drove back from Lake Placid in February during a blizzard with my wife and 2 young daughters. We received more than 2 feet of snow and the H3 was tremendous. I highly recommend this vehicle as it strikes the perfect balance between style, fuel economy, and function.

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  After 1K and 500 miles offroad - 2007 Hummer H3
  By wtgh3 - June 14 - 9:25 pm

  Owned three Z cars, a Maxima, a Mazda MX6 a Honda CRX and a Mercedes C230 Coupe. This time I thought Id go with an SUV. But when I wanted it, I wanted it to be a true SUV. None of these namby pamby cross-overs that are out there. As they say its a true Hummer and its "like nothing else". Its really great off road. You dont have to be concerned about it when it goes on the skid plates because its like a tank under there. Be sure to remove the side steps cause there not so tough. Bought it pretty well loaded. Looks more expensive than it actually is. Amazingly it drives almost like a car. Gets lots of looks and questions.

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  No Regrets 2007 H3 - 2007 Hummer H3
  By humming h3 - June 10 - 10:43 am

  Im 42, female, have driven Honda Ridgeline, XTerra, Honda Element. Yeah OK, been through some vehicles, but finally found my end with H3. Loved my Honda Ridgeline, but wanted more enclosed use of space for dirty dogs and stuff. Gas, pretty much the same as Honda Ridgeline. Love the wide stability it offers and turnig radius. Easy to park. Good visibility, better then the FJ Cruiser, actually the only thing the FJ has on Hummer is engine pick up, but I have a 2006 GTO for speed. Great space, good passenger leg room, comfortable ride and drive, especially for my lower back. Funny about window controls made for Tom Thumb?, but hey so what!

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  06 H2 4D SUV Adventure - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Ding - June 7 - 10:50 am

  This H2 is the fifth addition to our fleet of family vehicles and has become my favorite daily driver ever since. I wanted to buy the H2 since it was introduced in 03 but I cant believe I waited that long to finally decide to buy one last January. I feel safe driving it around town and on the highways. Ive driven it along rough roads inside our ranch and boy, how I love how it handles, rock solid. I average 12.5 miles on combination of city and hi-way driving and it is a lot better than the 9 mpg I get from my Ramcharger. I will not replace it with any other car except with another H2.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Intellicam - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my H2 for nine months. What a great experience. The interior is world class, the ride is incredible, handling is well above the normal suv style. I CAN GO ANYWHERE!!!!! Sure, they get less than average gas mileage, but if you are upset over the mileage, you couldnt afford it in the first place!! Besides, gas is so cheap in the U.S. I spent a month in France and Germany. $4.00 to $6.00 a gallon there. No wonder they hate America!!

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  Great Truck - 2006 Hummer H3
  By humr87 - May 13 - 10:40 pm

  Very satisfied with the H3. It can handle anything ranging from pot-holes to hard core off-roading. It puts Jeeps in their places and has no problems keeping up with the H1 or H2 in most situations. In some situations they have problems keeping up with the H3. Very well built, and very reliable. Turns a lot of heads!