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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  James Sr ICT - 2006 Hummer H3
  By James Sr ICT - November 13 - 5:23 pm

  This SUV is a blast. Well built and sexy. I bought it last mo, so Ill be back in 3 or 4 mos to re-review when I know more about its character. This SUV is well worth looking at for the money.

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  Ole Yellow - 2003 Hummer H2
  By grunt03 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Turns heads at every corner. Easy to drive after a few hours on the road. Room was a concern, but no problem. Lots of room. Tires will develope wear patterns sooner or later. I wonder how the ride will be then. Large all-terrain tires will create more noise as they wear. Its a super SUV and I love it.

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  6 Months under 130 Degrees Fahrenheit - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Hummer 924 Qatar - September 24 - 10:13 am

  No mech. problems so far but the engine temp reaches the redline at noon especially when accelerating. A/C works fine if the car had been shaded. Otherwise, it wont! people sitting in the back? tough luck. Limited rear seating and no rear A/C. I can live with the weak engine, you know, its a HUMMER statement. Go for Tahoe or TrailBlazer if u want power n speed. H3 Handling and cornering is unbelievably good. Visibility is hard at traffic lights but good when the sun is baking ur head at 45 d angle. Poor finishing, the buttons started to peal off, but the black enterior I got is satisfying my needs. comfortable ride even with the leather but too noisy on highways. Monster on sand n ramps.

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  horse - 2002 Hummer H1
  By georde - June 12 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive, causes many stares

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  Unmatched Turning Radius - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Jim C - May 31 - 7:46 am

  Never thought Id even consider buying another GM after past experiences with inexcusable poor quality. But the H3 seems to be made a LOT better than GMs of past years. Lack of power issue doesnt bother me much since I live in flat FL, but I do doubt that I wouldve bought this thing if I lived in a state with mountain highways. Its a head-turner, many people have commented that they like it better than the H2 for all kinds of reasons. If youre looking for a mid-size SUV that has high-end appeal without the high sticker price, Id recommend it. (Warning; Bank drive-thrus are a problem due to height of doors - long arms required, otherwise you have to climb halfway out the window.

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  Hummer - 2001 Hummer H1
  By Craig Barnes - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Nice Car, but a little too big with not much interior space.

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  I LOVE THIS CAR - 2006 Hummer H3
  By fred - July 23 - 1:46 pm

  this car is great to have yet it doesnt have great gas mileage it fun to drive and drives wonderful.

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  The hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Christopher c - June 1 - 10:00 am

  The second best off road suv besides the h1 there is no place this suv cant go but has the worst fuel econmy of any suv

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  Superior Blue - 2006 Hummer H3
  By 104 cavalry - May 12 - 1:20 am

  I bought it after comparing the the Jeep Commander to the H3. The Commander had so amny more options but the H3 appearance kept me coming back. The exterior looks are great, the interior is very comfortable. With the size to the H3 a little more leg room could have been found for the rear seat area. The stereo is the best I ever had from the factory. The dash is simple and clean. The stereo was mounted slightly crocked but the dealer took care of that. The ride is very good. The engine, no surprise here, could use a few more horses but considering it is a TRUCK and not a sports car it move well at highway speed.

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  Hummer H2 - A Great Machine - 2003 Hummer H2
  By JRS - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle lives up to its anticipated styling and peformance. The looks are extraordinary. The drive is smooth and very comfortable. The accelleration is surprisingly good for such a massive vehicle. During my initial of-road trial I had to pull a Jeep out of the mud! The H2 took fairly steep inclines, downed trees, rocks, etc without any signs of stressing the drive-train or suspension. Its not a vehicle for everyone due to the size. Environmentalists wont like the 12 mpg on the highway and 5-6 mpg off road!!!