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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  Not Very Happy - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Pambe - November 24 - 1:37 pm

  Has left my family along side of the road (to be towed) 2 times since we bought it. That was due to fuel pump going out. Has been in the shop 3 times because of the air ride suspension. Rear door handles have broke twice. And have had to had the mirror replaced 2 times because they dont heat up.

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  Almost but not quite! - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Thomas T. - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I actually decided not to buy a 2003 sage green H2 with the fully loaded Adventure Package due to the interior. The dashboard looks great but is completely made of cheap, toy like plastic. Very hollow and easily cracked. The headliner (w/sunroof option) is way too flimsy. Power from the engine was okay; I didnt expect the same performance as my 4.7L Grand Cherokee. The stereo system does not sound very good at all. Theres absolutely no front soundstage. Dont know why the tweeters on the A-pillar are aimed directly at each other!

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  cannot pass a pump - 2003 Hummer H2
  By exJeepster - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Great alternative (more affordable) to the H1. Exterior style is great; but like other reviews have mentioned, too much platic inside. I doubt it would beat a grand cherokee in a race on the highway, but thats not what its about. Hummer is a class to itself, why did they have to steal the jeep grill?

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  Big Time! - 2004 Hummer H1
  By Condalini - March 10 - 2:00 am

  the hummer h1 is a vehicle i purchased for one purpose only......because i could! its BIG but actually smaller than the h2. but its rough, tough, intimidating, and that along with the price tag are the only reasons for buying this. fuel economy is terrible, comfort? whats that?? steering wheel is cheap looking along with the interior materials. its the WORST best SUV on the road hahahaha!!!

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  RECONSIDER.... - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Joannassf - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Terrible mistake, this purchase was purely emotional!!!! Our car has been in the shop three times in 1 year and has been towed three times!

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  Dont forget the Gas - 2003 Hummer H2
  By H2ER - August 10 - 2:00 am

  This thing is cool and everybody looks as you drive by but dear God does it drink gas!!!! I realize that this isnt a huge revelation but its even worse then I expected. Pulling a 19 foot boat I got 5 MPG and I average no better then 10!!!

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  Likin the H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Todd - April 29 - 2:56 pm

  Great SUV which gets a lot of looks! Poor visibility and a little bit of a rough ride.

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  Hummer lost its tingle - 2006 Hummer H3
  By bigdadybry - September 22 - 5:53 am

  If you have driven a large SUV equipped with a V8 engine, youll be VERY disappointed. The vehicle screams Hummer until you step on the gas. I went in to trade my Durango Limited (Hemi, AWD) and got to try out the Hummer for almost a week. I wish I could put the Dodge drivetrain in this vehicle, it would be perfect. GM could throw in a 350-400hp LS1 engine and they wouldnt lose much mpg. If you dont have anything to compare it to, you may not be disappointed. There should be another engine option.

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  Ok - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Hummer1 - August 15 - 2:33 pm

  This hummer is one of the smaller ones and when i got it i dont think that the outside or inside is that good as the other hummers. I think if they do a H4 they should do an EXACT replaca of the H1 but just as small as the H3.

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  Poor Int.quality & lack of cargo space - 2003 Hummer H2
  By bear2001 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  If you are going to take a trip, you have a choice, either luggage or the family. There isnt room for both. The exterior spare tire mount is both cumbersome and expensive ($1,300.+) The roof rack is functional, however you will need a ladder to acess it. Overall styling is good, but, it appears that GM relied on to much plastic and veneer. Fuel mileage leaves a lot to be desired, mixed city and highway 10.5 mpg.