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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  Love my Tactical - 2007 Hummer H3
  By rhill20 - September 2 - 10:13 am

  Had an 06 and loved it. But the newer models are much better designed. Window buttons are better placement, has more power, and maybe Im imagining this but it rides better. Im 59" and have never had an issue with room.

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  07 Hummer H3, simply awesome! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By alvarezlouie - August 30 - 5:17 pm

  After purchasing an 07 Avalanche 6 mths ago I was dissatisfied, did my homework this time looking at H3s and similar to do a trade-in. The H3 is in a class by itself, looks great, performs excellent, very comfortable and comes with an aura of style and luxury. I thoroughly enjoy the looks it draws, the power it implies, the safety of a Hummer and the ability to tackle most terrains. I would highly recommend this SUV to anyone.

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  H2 is a great powerful vehicle - 2004 Hummer H2
  By JOE - August 27 - 11:39 am

  Owning an H2 is great. Everyone notices it and Ive never been stuck or even skidded in the snow. The only issue is its size. Sometimes its hard to park or find a lot big enough in downtown urban areas.

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  Review from a real hummer h3 owner... - 2006 Hummer H3
  By ProspectKyHummerH3 - August 25 - 4:33 pm

  Just a note that many of these negative H3 reviews should be disregarded, as most of them are NOT really H3 owners...just HUMMER haters. I have owned my Boulder Grey H3 for a month and a half and have enjoyed EVERY minute of it. I have not had ONE single problem with it either. Those that complain of the engines power...did you test drive it or read any of the reviews? I will give up a little power for improved gas mileage...especially now. I have the lux pkg., and it rides incredibly smooth. I dont know of any "actual" owner who has said that it is a rough ride. Everyone that has ridden in mine has been impressed with the handling and the finishing on the interior and exterior.

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  Not so fun anymore - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Ness - August 22 - 12:32 pm

  Purchased my 2007 Hummer in February. I loved this vehicle in the beginning.Since my purchase it has had numerous issues. The dealer has been excellent in trying to remedy the problems. It had a terrible lean on the drivers side. The tortion bar has been replaced, the shackles adjusted and the leaf spring replaced and it is leaning again. The heated seats were stuck in the on position which required panel and switch replacement. Add to the frustration I went to start it this morning and it was dead. Only the battery they say! Hummers customer service had decided not to buy back or trade this vehicle without having rectified the problems. This is the high end luxury pkg - upside down 13,000 Would love to take it off road but afraid what might happen! Maybe this one is just a lemon :( Buyer beware!!!!!!!!!

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  Outstanding - 2007 Hummer H2
  By Shant - August 10 - 2:00 pm

  The driving is great and since the car is yellow everybody has to look when I come. Some sports cars always try racing me since I have to Borla exhaust on. If you hear my car coming from far away you will think it’s a muscle car. The car is great and it still hasn’t given me any problems. I have a neighbor who has 3 of these Hummers and none of them have given him any problems

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  h2 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By toyota man - August 8 - 10:00 am

  The H2 is a fun, cool vehicle to drive if you like attention and one of the biggest vehicle on the road. Lot of interior room, except in thrid row seat. Power is ample and diesel sould be an option. Make one fit somehow. Has some blind spots. Great for road trips, hard to park in small spaces.

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  Not Bad - 2007 Hummer H3
  By ENG - August 2 - 8:00 am

  We looked at several SUV models before considering the H-3 We have been Yukon buyers the last 3 times and after our last Yukon, we decided enough was enough. The H-3 has a very solid feel without the tippy feeling. It lacks on tow ability and power but the style and comfort make up for it. It lacks gages and the stereo leaves a bit to be desired. XM is not an option on the 07 but is standard on the 08. You will average about 16 to 19 MPG on the highway if youre lucky, around town is about 14-15. All in all the price and style makes it a great value. If you want a tow brute, look elsewhere.

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  Climb Mt. Everest in Style - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Dave Lander - July 31 - 11:51 pm

  If you like a vehicle that is bold, fun to drive and a absolute monster off road go no further. I purchased a white Hummer H3 with the off road package and it has not dissappointed. You get the best of both worlds, you can take it out and punish it off road in the morning then take it to a 5 star dinner that evening. The Hummer drives very good on road with a amaizinly tight turning radius. Before I bought this vehicle I had my heart set on a Jeep but after test driving I changed my mind. If you are looking for a vehicle that will go and do just about anything at a competitive price look no further.

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  Too much fun - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Navjit Singh Brar - July 31 - 9:30 pm

  Have had it for about a month now. Dont know how I did without such a beautiful vehicle. I replaced my Jeep Wrangler and have not regretted one bit. Gas milage is good enough. The music system is just awesome, particulary if you are a Bhangra Jat. The truck is soooooo quite while driving, even on freeway runs. Went with the gut feeling and bought it. Passed up on an X3 whose test drive did not impress, if you take price into consideration. And, boy, what a head turner. Serious, I have driven about 25 odd people in it, sometimes in bunches. Good burnishing for your image! JATZDOIT