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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  2003 Hummer H2 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Maverick - October 27 - 2:42 pm

  The best SUV that I have owned to date. Very, very surprised by the truck

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  Kewl Truck - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Jerry - October 24 - 9:31 pm

  I dont know about all of you "Hotrodders" but I believe that people drive way too fast anyway, so to take a little more time getting up to 60 mph is not a problem for me and my wife. We love our Hummer H3, it really is impressive to drive and the turning radius is unbelievable (better than the S-10 I traded in and better gas mileage too). The size is great and people really take notice of the H3. I rate it "ONE FUN RIDE"

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  2007 H3X much better ! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By auto exotica - October 22 - 9:07 am

  Love H3x looks...18 inch wheels...3.7L engine much better power and torque than my 2006...drives smooth and great handling....traded in my new 2007 jeep wrangler 4 door for H2x and no regrets!!!!!

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  tuff momma - 2002 Hummer H1
  By elvis corporal - October 18 - 3:53 pm

  im a former military member and i always wanted to own one. the h1 is a great improvement from the military version as far as convenience. it rides great and i dont even use my drive way now i use my ditch. it turns lots of head and i loved it.

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  Awesome! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Jimmy - October 18 - 3:17 pm

  I have to say that the H3 is an all around fun vehicle to drive. My friends and family love it and they are always wanting to take a ride in it. Make sure to get the luxury package.

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  Fun On and Off-Road - 2007 Hummer H3
  By MD2BKobe - October 17 - 10:07 pm

  This is a fun car to drive and not to mention the looks I get barreling down the road in my bright red 2007 H3. Off- road the H3 is equally impressive and handles great. All in all, I would say I am very pleased with my decision to go with the H3 over the Tahoe, 4- runner, or jeep grand cherokee. It is a far better buy. You get more options for less money as compared to all the other SUVs in its class. I would strongly reccomend going to your local dealer and have them take you on the obstacle course to show you just some of the things the H3 can do. If that doesnt convince you to go with the H3 over the tahoe or other SUVs then I dont know what will.

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  I got more power! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Colorado - October 17 - 4:44 pm

  The H3 handles good and has a much better than expected turning radus. Here in Colorado I get to drive most suvs and I liked the H3 best for comfort with four on board and ease of handling in town or off road. However the H3 is a little under powered with a five piston, 3.5L engine when you drive at higher altitudes (I live at 7,100 feet above sea level). To get more power when I go into the mountains or on the Interstate I put in a Vortec supercharger and intercooler. Remember that this suv is 4,800 lbs. so its not a light weight but with another 100 plus horse power it has some get up and go. I have lost some mpgs but if I drive with a little care its not more than 10 to 15%.

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  Its a four wheel drive off road vehicle - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Dack - October 10 - 6:04 pm

  But its well suited for the street. It will get 23 mpg on the hiway if you drive 57 mph but it go down to 19 if you go 66. Its not a hot rod but its not supposed to be one either. It really is great off road and I have had 3 Broncos. The ride is great also considering its off road gift. First GM truck so we will have to see how it holds up. No lease I own it.

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  only the H1 and H2 are better - 2006 Hummer H3
  By mscottiger - October 9 - 3:17 pm

  been very happy with the new car. took about 2 times of driving to get used to the smaller windows but that is no longer a problem. Love the manual transmition, very easy to drive. love the SUV overall. and the price was the best part. affordable.

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  The King Of SUVs - 2003 Hummer H2
  By My H2 Rocks!! - October 7 - 10:00 am

  The power, I must talk about...to all those who say that the HUMMER nees a large engine...good luck. Before I purchased my H2, I wa talking to the dealer and he mensioned that the 6.0L was the largest engine that they could fit in the bay. What I would request is to tune the engine o about 310 hp and 380 lb/ft of tourque, this would lower its top speed, but it would increase its acceleration off the line, and give it a better ability off-road. I mean seriously whos going to be driving this thing 100+ mpg...with the H2 my prayer have been solved.