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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  Would buy again - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Coordinatorinpink - October 3 - 9:17 am

  I LOVE this vehicle. Yes, it does have a big blind spot but the mirrors make up for it. I love the oversized sunroof and the handling in snow and rain. Roomy enough for three car seats in back seat and love the room in the rear of the vehicle. Sluggish when accelerating and the MPG is low but overall I love it and would buy it again.

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  Best 4X4 Ive ever owned - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Calibrator - August 6 - 8:59 pm

  I bought our 2007 Hummer H3 used from our Hummer dealer with 22,000 miles. Black with Black leather interior with chrome accents. This vehicle turns heads! Great sound system. The interior control knows are nice a big (to match the vehicle) and function great. The sunroof is huge! I mainly bought this as our alternate vehicle for weekend fun and harsh weather. I cant wait for snow! It has an extremely tight turning radius. It is a pleasure to drive. It handles well at highway speeds. Fuel economy is okay but on par with other SUVs and minivans! Ive owned Jeeps amd Yukons and this is by far the best of all! My Jeeps or Yukons never turned heads like this 4X4! Awesome!

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  Luv it but... - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Abbass - August 2 - 4:56 pm

  Love the vehicle. For a mid size SUV, its reasonable on gas and is aesthetically pleasing on the inside and out. A very smooth ride and although powerful on the highway, it lack passing power. It is spacious for the driver and passenger but a bit cramped on the back seats. I live in Toronto and so are winters are pretty brutal but a joke for the H3.

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  Do want to be noticed! - 2007 Hummer H2
  By B. Cabus - July 18 - 12:37 pm

  I purchased the Victory Edition for my wife. Very beautiful & spectacular looking SUV. Handles very well. Performance is a bit low considering its a 6.0 ltr. Needs a turbo charger or supercharger in order to live up to its name. Ride is comfortable in the front.

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  Get a Hummer - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Hummerlover - June 12 - 2:24 am

  I bought my H3 used with the luxury and adventure packages. It is black on black with no chrome.. I have always liked the Hummers and when the H3 came out I had to get one. I have a problem spending $42,000 for one so I waited and bought one used. I use my Hummer for my daily driver and my off road adventures. It is fun to drive in town but really comes alive off road! This truck offeres the best of both worlds, luxury for the refined and ruggedness for the adventurous! My H3 is stock and with the adventure package and rear locker, it can go places other stock 4x4s cant.

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  Great at what it is supposed to be. - 2008 Hummer H2
  By Gman - May 17 - 9:12 am

  The H2 is a full size offroad truck based SUV, so its 12-13 mpg city, 14- 15 mpg highway is on par with other truck based SUVs of its size, difference is that nothing looks, rides, performs like a H2. New interior is excellent, my kids love it, and those who dont like it need to understand that there are plenty of other SUVs that eat gas as much as it does, just those vehicles are not American, so they are not a target. Great Vehicle for what it is, not when compared to a Prius. Hummer deserves to live on, and for some, it will forever.

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  H3 for Me - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Desert Rat - April 24 - 12:38 pm

  I read consumer reports before I bought my H3 and was a little concerned. I am so happy I didnt depend on any review to make my decision. The H3 is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I tried 4 new vehicles in the last three years and have finally got a keeper. I keep trying to use my wifes car when we go for a ride to keep my miles down but she wont hear it. She loves riding in the H3 no matter what mileage it gets. Too many people want to change it with fluff and make it something its not. I bought it because it is what it is sharp lookin, fun to drive and easy to maintain.

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  Disaster! - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By tyler - January 26 - 8:53 pm

  I bought this car for my ranch and it doesnt even work half of the time. I have always loved Hummers. I had a Range Rover for my ranch to drive up in the mountains and go off roading in. Owned a Hummer H2 before that. I am going back to a Range Rover. I hate this car!

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  Solid performer - 2007 Hummer H3
  By keith - January 17 - 3:11 pm

  I find this vehicle to have adequate power and the off road performance is exceptional. Mine is stock and it is the best off roader I have had. Highway mileage however is not what was advertised. The 20 mpg must have been calculated going downhill. Get 14 in town and 17 on highway. Have a few minor rattles and would like to see less plastic used on interior, cargo room could be improved. Also would like more cubby holes for various items. Overall a good truck

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  H3T Amazing! - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By largemouthbass - January 16 - 2:50 pm

  Traded in my ZR2 Jimmy for the H3T. Best decision I have ever made. This truck is amazing! Lots of room, handles great and with the 5 speed manual its super fun to drive. Build quality is great and I am getting much better gas mileage with the I5 then I used to get with the piggish 4.3 V6 in the Jimmy. Has enough power for my needs and off road or in snow this truck is a dream. To top it off having the pick up bed makes this truck so much more practical and useful. A+