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:

• 

  A Head Turner - 2006 Hummer H3
  By JTLJammer - January 4 - 4:50 am

  Great driving experiance for under $40K. Commanding view of the road, much more than our TBlazer XL. Got it loaded up with Lux Package, Chrome Package, Head Rest DVD System, etc, all for far below "what others are paying" on this site. Make no mistake, it rides like a truck. But it is classy, turning radius is exceptional and I cant wait to take it through a snowstorm. Very rigid truck - you just feel in command when driving it. Get the step rails - youll never get in or out without them. Unlike the H2, it doesnt scream "look at me Im special". It is not a rocket, but unless you will be towing a 5th Wheel (dont), the Inline 5 Cyl is more than enough - dont listen to the complaints.

• 

  A new honeymooner with my Hummer - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Your Boogy Man - January 3 - 8:57 am

  Ralph Cramden says it best,"A Hummingner, Ah Hummeringner, Ah Hummer H3",LOL,LOL,LOL.! I Love My Hummer, It is a great ride and I do LOVE all the attention I get riding through mall parking lots and parking at work!!!! Way ta go GM !!!!!!!

• 

  Not for racing - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Mark - January 3 - 8:51 am

  We purchased our H3 after a lot of homework. We were apprehensive concerning all the complaints about the H3 being underpowered. We have owned V-8 powered vehicles mostly and were afraid to give up that power availability. We realized that though the H3 has only an I-5 cyl., it is geared low. The H3 does just fine with the equiped engine, as long as your intentions are not to race the vehicle. We are very happy with the performance and gas mileage. Its just fun to drive. We dont miss our V-8.

• 

  Good Stuff - 2007 Hummer H3
  By James - January 1 - 9:57 pm

  I am impressed with the power and handling. I love the stability. It feels like a sports car. I am disappointed that the radios installed are not RDS enabled...they dont display the info transmitted by the local stations. seems like a dumb thing to do. Otherwise, its a great vehicle.

• 

  2007 H3 - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Mary Bertollini - December 31 - 9:02 pm

  Extremely comfortable to drive - leather heated seats are the best!! Excellent visibility - interesting that people stop and look at the vehicle wherever I go - many ask questions about it. Stereo system (upgraded) is excellent.

• 

  H3x - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Bob Beyer - December 25 - 10:20 pm

  Best vehicle I have ever owned and this makes my 15th over the past 40 years. It is easy to enter and exit, very good front view and even with the short windows no problem seeing out the sides. The rear view is somewhat limited because of spare tire and rear headrests. I have large feet and gas pedal space seems a little tight. Love the solid ride without being rough and it takes curves like race car, I think because of the wide stance and huge tires. This car gets lots of looks no matter where I go, its Victory red with lots of chrome. I feel like a teenager again, no other vehicle made me feel proud of my ride like this Hummer h3x, go out and test drive one for yourself.

• 

  H3 - Looks and Drives great - 2006 Hummer H3
  By wizzkid47 - December 25 - 6:24 pm

  I have had my H3 for about a year, and I have only one thing. The radio buttons are wearing off. For me personally, the gas is not bad and it uses just about the same my old Ford Taurus did. The interior of the H3 with all the upgrades it can hold is great. I have found a great way to keep the children happy and quiet with the dual DVD system. I love this car and so does my husband. We both get compliments on it.

• 

  Awesome - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Bentley - December 21 - 5:33 am

  When the H2 first came on the market, I knew I had to own one. This SUV has not disappointed my expectations. Fun to drive, extremely reliable, and indestructible. A little underpowered, but what do you expect with a 6000 pound "tank?" During winter months, my friends usually designate my H2 as the "designated" vehicle for ski trips, and when offer for them to drive, they never refuse. I get 13 mpg on the highway at 65 mph. I can fit four skiers inside including their skis.

• 

  Hummer nailed it with the H3 - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Matt - December 18 - 10:16 pm

  I have two boys and am not going to give in to the Mini-van lifestyle. I looked at all types of suvs and none of them drove like the H3, it handles and drives so smooth that you forget that it is a truck. The interior is roomy and designed perfect, it fits my two boys and all our stuff with ease. And with the 5 cylinder Vortec 3700 the H3 moves when you need it and the Fuel economy is better then most of the other suvs out there. As they say "To Each their own". I can say having the H3 protecting my family is comfort enough, but the performance and style of Hummer speaks for itself, and if you can smile every time you open that door you know you made the right choice.

• 

  Great - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Eric - December 16 - 5:12 pm

  The greatest Hummer anybody could offer. Nice and roomy for the family and friends. Reliable or dependable on the road.