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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  Its a Humdinger! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Terry - July 9 - 11:03 pm

  When you invent reasons to get in your H3 just for the thrill of the trip, you know youve picked a vehicle that will continue to be a source of enjoyment for many years.I had read reports before purchasing that criticized the power available in the H3, but I have not been disappointed.Taking into consideration weight and horsepower available;its adequate for my driving. Highway travel is very comfortable,even with the adventure package options,and you are not aware that you are exceeding the speed limit.My first four tanks of gasoline in city driving has produced 16+ mpg on each tank. Only complaint is window & lock button panel on driver armrest is where you want to rest your elbow.

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  Love this SUV - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Disnydad - July 9 - 6:45 pm

  This vehicle has been fun to drive and mpg is much better than my old pickup with a V8. Not sports car like acceleration but this is a 5 cyl SUV. I have not had one mechanical issue to date. The H3 is excellent for offroad

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  No other car like it - 2004 Hummer H2
  By DocEK4 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  superb car Ive wanted this car for years, and Im not disappointed. Totally awesome car!

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  My wife stole my Hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Thought it was mine - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought it for me buy my wife drives it everywhere... I may have to get another one.

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  H2 is a great fun machine - 2005 Hummer H2
  By bbbkbk - May 23 - 10:00 am

  If it is fun and plenty of room you want H2 is all that and more!

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  love this ride - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Ruben - May 18 - 9:36 pm

  This vehicle is a head turner! Fun to drive and extremely quiet on the road. The 5 cylinder produces plenty of power to move you along.

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  Very Satisfied - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Terry - May 8 - 10:50 pm

  I love driving my H2 Hummer, theres no other car like it!! The day we picked up the Hummer from the dealer, I sat in the passenger seat and fell asleep, which I rarely do. It was that comfortable. Im seeing more and more ladies drive a Hummer. And to think, I was looking at the Lexus SUV, I would have been sorry.

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  Awesome but .... - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Aaron - May 8 - 11:03 am

  Bought my H3 Luxury Package in November after years of owning a Jeep Wrangler and I love it. There are some squeaks and rattles but it buries my old jeep. My biggest complaint is that there are no child safety locks on the doors, which I discovered this weekend when my 2 year old son opened the "locked" door at 45 mph. Major flaw by GM and their response was they think that the auto locks when the car is in drive is enough. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. So if you have more than one child just remember that they will be able to unlock the doors.

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  Hummer Class - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Mike Conners - May 6 - 8:28 am

  The Hummer is not for everyone. If you are worried about gas prices, you do not need one or can afford one. Hummer is for those that want attitude in a vehicle. This is not your Dads vehicle. When you own a Hummer, you control the road, not vice versa. Drive with authority. This is the most exciting vehicle on the road today. Make sure to get out of the way.

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  my first hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By my first hummer - April 14 - 9:16 am

  H3 is just great. The best and most interesting car Ive ever had. Drives great, excellent quality & 15 mpg around town.