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 Alpha - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Eric - October 7 - 8:27 pm

  I have had my Alpha w/ off road package for little over a month and it is excellent. Without the V-8 engine, there simply isnt enough power to get this beast moving. So far everthing has performed as advertised. Off road . . . Jeep can say their SUVs are trail rated but since the H2 & H3 came along, they rated the trail. Everything else pails by comparison. The only drawbacks are dont plan on just buying a stock Alpha. Unless you want to crush your leather seats sliding out, buy the step assists. Add the chrome gas cap cover and throw in a brush guard and you almost have yourself the 3x package. Well worth the money. For those who want better gas milage: You knew what you were buying.

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  Huge Improvement - 2008 Hummer H2
  By DonClaudio - October 4 - 8:43 pm

  I traded my 06 H2 against the 08 model and I really can say that the H2 has finally grown up. The new 6 speed automatic is a perfect match for the new 6.2l engine. Brake feel has improved as well and the steering is more direct now. Fuel economy is improved by 15% compared to the 06 H2.

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  Love at first sight - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Hummin3 - October 3 - 1:30 pm

  The first time I saw the H3, I knew it was for me. I never really had a "dream car" in mind until I saw it. For my 40th birthday last year, my husband surprised me with an H3 with the luxery package, and chrome accents on the exterior. I love everything about this vehicle. The only thing it is lacking is the pick up from stop to go,and the pedals are too close together according to my husband,otherwise it is perfect. Its sturdy, reliable, has a VERY smooth ride, off road ability is amazing.The look inside and out is great. Love the leather, the stereo and the sun roof. I do get a few dirty looks from tree huggers, but the mileage isnt any worse than those mini vans they drive

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  Cool But Beware! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By rayenet - September 30 - 4:53 pm

  I just got my new H3 and absolutely love its looks and price, but Ive got an issue with the suspension. When I drive on the highway and go over larger bumps and uneven surfaces, the steering wheel jerks abruptly and the vehicle swerves and wobbles. Its worse when it happens while Im changing lanes or in the middle of a turn. It feels as if Im going to lose control and the vehicle is going to flip over. Im really concerned about how it will handle on twisty snow covered mountain roads, even with the Stabilitrak.

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  Eliminated Other Options - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Jubes - September 29 - 10:33 pm

  2007 H3 was the vehicle for me. Looked at the Wrangler Rubicon 4dr and the FJ Cruiser. Bottom line, FJ Cruiser loud road noise and only door and a half - also required Premium Petro. Jeep Wrangler is too expensive and does not have any amenities. H3 is locked and loaded to take on the street or off road. Bottom line, if you are into towing weight, buy a diesel pickup. If you want acceleration, buy a performance vehicle. If you want a tough, fuel efficient, SUV, buy a H3. WeÂ’ve owned it all, Excursion, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Explorer, GMC Sierra K2500 Duramax, Jag, Vet, BMW, and the H3 rocks them all. Also, ride is better than truck and most cars

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  Buy the looks and the performance - 2007 Hummer H3
  By jag - September 23 - 2:11 pm

  Just saw the black tactical editon and traded a six month old Dodge 1500 hemi based on the wow factor and performance. So far no regrets, and although the gas mileage isnt great for a 5 cylinder its better than a hemi, and it doesnt require 89 octane

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  2 Thumbs Up - 2007 Hummer H2
  By HCW - September 21 - 9:34 pm

  The H2 exceeded my expectations. The mileage is average, 15mpg. Accleration is comparable of a 3/4 ton truck. Towing is great. One barely notices the difference with a 8200# load.

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  Awesome off-road capabilty - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Kevin - September 18 - 7:10 am

  Off road capabilities rivalled only by the H1 and some high end Rovers (maybe). Head turner. Acceleration wasnt as bad as expected for a Hummer, yet torque/towing capability needs to be enhanced (225/4500lb rating). Need to have optional seating for six or maybe even 7. Gas mileage is better than our Explorer.

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  No Crossover SUV - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Jimbo - September 17 - 11:03 am

  Sits very comfortable. Good interior quality and layout. I love the styling. Maintains tough Hummer look with more off-road capability than most will need. Nimble and easier to maneuver and park around town than larger SUVs. Fairly tight 36 turning diameter. The 3.7L I5 engine has 242 HP and is enough power for most. It is a definite improvemnet over the original 2006 3.5L I5. The Alpha version has the V8, but I passed on that one. Too new to realistically assess reliabilty. But if 2007 H3 is a measure, then it should be fairly good.

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  Still Adjusting - 2007 Hummer H3
  By John S. - September 4 - 11:30 am

  I just picked up an H3 black tactical edition. So far the truck has been great. It has been a slow adjustment from my Audi A4. I realize how much I miss certain features. Obviously gas mileage is terrible but I knew that when I bought it. I have been changing the minds of many anti-hummer folks. My project this weekend is to install a DICE IPOD adapter. Ride quality on city roads is much better that expected. Even though the sunroof is great, one like the BMW X3 or Audi Q7 would be unbelievable. Again, I am beign a little harsh as I have become acustom to features not avaiable on the H3. Otherwise, buy one over any other GM SUV.