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 Rules! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Blacksmith - January 17 - 11:15 pm

  My 04 Grand Cherokee was making a lot of engine noise so I thought Id go test drive a few. They had H3 base model on the lot at a blow out price. I really didnt want stick, but when I drove it, I fell in love. Big thick steering wheel and big shift knob. Im 6-4 and this is hands down the most comfortable vehicle for a tall guy weighing 260. I dont even have to put the seat all the way back! The stick is easy to drive, the engine has good low end torque. Even the sound of the Atlas 5 is great. The shifter is kind of stiff and there is some small noises in it Im monitoring with the service guys. Its still pretty new so I have just put in 4 wheel drive low/lock briefly in the dirt.

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  What a Hummer! - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Larry Leung - January 16 - 6:01 pm

  Just got a new H3 Alpha from Toronto. So far I am extremely pleased with it. Its so solid. Lateral blind spots are minimal with the over-sized side mirrors. I took it to Wal-Mart and Can Tire and it parks with no difficulty, due to its small turning radius and rear vision camera. (A must). Also, with the chrome tubular steps, my kids and 5 wife find it no problem to get on and off it. With the V8 engine, it has enough oomph to get to 80km. I have yet to assess how bad the fuel consumption is (I know..) I love my Hummer H3 Alpha on this day one and I will love it more every day.

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  Best vehicle ever - 2005 Hummer H2
  By hummer owner1 - January 5 - 2:25 pm

  This is a fun head turning vehicle with very few flaws. Handles great, looks great, and is safe to drive

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  Great Truck w/quirks - 2006 Hummer H3
  By imruninl8 - December 25 - 7:20 am

  Just purchased the H3 a few weeks ago. Im impressed with the styling and the overall vehicle quality. I am happy with my decision so far, however, the engine could use more torque and HP, which I am actively seeking aftermarket products for. I actually use my SUV for hauling materials I need during my remodel project, and so far, Ive not been disappointed. Believe it or not, I traded an 04 Cayenne for this, as I was tearing it apart hauling tile, lumber and concrete in it....trust me, Porsche hasnt figured out what an SUV is for...however, the Cayenne S would smoke this H3 on the street. Anyway, Ill use this for a few years and see how it goes....so far, Im impressed.

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  Love the H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By We love our H3 - December 9 - 7:41 pm

  We love our H3 and would buy it again. Its been very reliable so far. It has 52,000 on it now. We taken through some of the nastiest offroading that no other out of the box straight from the show room floor can do.We have the adventure package. The turning is awesome. Easy to drive. Gas mileage is actually better than expected for this type of vehicle. Its better than Jeep and toyota. Toyota will break if you do the things that you do with H3. Land Rover is incapable of this kind of capabilities. Power is ok. Its an go anywhere vehicle not a race car.

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  2004 Hummer H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By rich - December 9 - 3:03 pm

  I finally found something I like to drive.Ii live in cleveland,ohio. and the roads are tore up. Also we have some heavy snow falls too. Driving the Hummer H2 on the highway is a joy. It has plenty of power and it rides very smoothly.

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  Hummer Baby! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Walker - December 8 - 8:42 am

  We love our H3. Weve put it through its paces on the highway as well as off road (snow, ice, sand, shale, boulders, steep inclines, etc.) ... excellent performance. My wife and daughter love this car,they used to have an Audi A6 Avant. This car has so much more utility and the fun factor is way through the roof.

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  Hummer H3x - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Charlie - December 7 - 10:06 am

  Takes a little getting used to. Not the best visability. I dont like the way it downshifts at aroung 38 mph. The ride is smooth and it shifts nice.It gets 16 1/2 - 17 1/2 depending on if my wife is driving. Between the read doors it collects dirt,I installed mud flaps and body trim, didnt work. OnStar system was best investment as my wife likes the security. Overall I like, would consider another.

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  Hummer H3 Adventure & Lux. Package 2006 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By tiredmom - November 28 - 7:25 pm

  The Hummer H3 is fun to drive both on and off road. But has been in the shop since we bought it 29 times for items ranging from seals and gaskets on the front drive train. Brakes, head light lens, doors not unlocking with owner keys, noises from 4x lock low and in 4x lock high, mirror assembly coming loose then falling off going down the interstate, heater core going out, back cup holder coming off, the radio ant. coming off, check engine lights coming on and cannot find problem, recalls on jack, back windsheild pump motor .paint is easy to scratch also. I have only went 1 time off roading on the baby track . But I live in the country and needed something safe & tuff.

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  Hummer H3 review - 2006 Hummer H3
  By a tired mom - November 28 - 7:09 pm

  I bought my Hummer H3 after looking at the other types in the market including the FJ. I was in a very bad car crash so I wanted safty and I am a mother so I wanted to be able to count on it when I needed to . I have had some problems with mine . Head light lens take in water even when not off roading . Replaced drive seals ,now making klanking noise in 4 low,4 high locks.Check eng. light keeps on says fuel cap but replaced it . Along with tring to find brighter headlights no luck there.Dealership only one in my area is not helpful. Contacted Hummer corp. help line. still tring there.I have the adventure & luxury pkg. Over all my boys love it & it is nice when not in the shop.