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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  I love this truck - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Patricia Burns - February 9 - 9:46 am

  This is a girls Hummer. Drives great, looks fantastic, and I cannot stop driving it! Where has this truck been all along?

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  THE BOMB - 2004 Hummer H2
  By cheryl rabah - February 1 - 2:00 am

  i love everything about this vehicle,including the gas milage-cant afford- dont buy it.-this vehicle seperates the big dogs-from the little ones- i am proud to drive the hummer-

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  My H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Steve Gray - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Please dont buy one! I like being different.

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  I Love My H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By walc - January 24 - 8:10 am

  After a week of driving, Im really glad I bought an H3. Dont believe anything you hear about lack of acceleration or a cramped back seat. I say, "compared to what" - a Corvette or a streach limo? Visibility is somewhat limited. During a mild trail ride, I dented my rear bumper when I backed into a tree stump. I should have gotten out and checked before backing. The good news is it took my body shop less than a hour to replace the bumper. They said it was a very well-planned design and they only had to remove 3 bolts to take off the bumper. Total cost was $400.

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  Like being a kid again... - 2004 Hummer H2
  By James - January 19 - 11:22 am

  Remember being a kid and loving those Tonka toy trucks... well I feel like Im driving one and I love it! Family is really enjoying it too!

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  Love My Hummer!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Hummer Girl - January 11 - 4:03 pm

  I test drove every General Motors SUV out there, nothing compared to the H3. The Hummer stops on a dime, is high off the ground, easy to drive and steer. The H3 can cut better at the wheel than my old Grand AM. The rear window was a concern for me since some people mentioned the spare tire blocking it. It DOES NOT block the rear window, it does maybe 2-3". I can see fine out the rear window day and night time. The side windows are smaller than the usual vehicle but you do not notice it at all. Gas isnt bad, afterall it is a 6000+ lb boxy vehicle. Im 53 and can drive this vehicle just fine.

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  Great SUV - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Chico - January 8 - 3:43 am

  I received on of the first few out of the line and wanted to drive it for a little while before I posted a review. I now have 3,000 miles on it and I must say my wife and I both love it. I keep reading about how underpower it is... well, it is not a Ferrari... if you would like to go from 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds I suggest you buy a sports car. However, if you would like a nice sice SUV that can take you to remote places without a problem and at the same time will still look great when you park it in front of the Hyat. This is the car to get. I still think that any GM or Ford car over $25K is overpriced.

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  fun to own and fun to drive - 2003 Hummer H2
  By larry swanberg - December 27 - 6:35 pm

  the hummer i bought in 2003 is the same that is offered now, or i would buy a new one.this is the longest i have kept any thing that i bought new.they do need a 6 or 7 speed automatic for everything to get better..thanks

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  h204 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By michael brawner - December 22 - 8:42 pm

  Hummer explains it all. Its big and you can see over everyone except 18 weelers. If you measure the the nurf bars compared to ALL other cars and SUVS if you got to an accident you know who would win! the way I see it you pay for protection as long as you are not getting shot at!!!

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  h2hemi - 2003 Hummer H2
  By h2hemi - December 18 - 10:42 pm

  this vehicle is beyond my expectations on reliability and comfort. it rides like a limo and yet demands respect. i am very happy with my purchase and would do it all over again. the quality and craftsmanship is rugged for the offroad and classy for night on the town. we are pleased and very happy with our h2.