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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  My First Hummer (GM) - 2006 Hummer H3
  By KM - February 14 - 10:33 pm

  After owning my H3 for a little more than 5 months I thought I would give my 2 cents worth. I can only tell you that it is a very fun vehicle to drive and that it makes my previous vehicle a 2001 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab feel like a toy. The gas mileage has been from 19.4 to 17.1 on the low side. I have not had it off road yet but, have driven it in some icy conditions and it handled beautifully! As for blind spots, it does have them , you just have to learn how to use your mirrors.Overall, I am very pleased with my first GM product.

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  Very Happy - 2007 Hummer H3
  By raysan - February 14 - 8:03 am

  I have been a foreign car driver for years. I felt it was time to BUY AMERICAN! Boy am I happy. The H3 has it all I am getting 25-28 MPG on the highway and close to 20 around town. Great comfort and head room. All around I am extremely pleased

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  U can keep it !!!!! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Tommie 2 tone - February 12 - 9:42 am

  Well after 16 months of ownership A couple of things . First, If I were to rate the ride from 0-10 10 being the best, It would be 4, A LOT of wind noise you feel EVERY bump in the road , The $1,200 sound system dont waste your money, Gas mileage If I were lucky about 15 MPG Hway. Only thing it is a head turner . other than that You can keep it .

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  Hummer H3 2007 - 2007 Hummer H3
  By R.Wiles - February 10 - 6:34 am

  My only issue so far was the factory did not program the security codes in the computer and the vehicle would sometimes start, and other times not start. The dealership quickly fixed the problem. It is difficult to get into and out of, but a set of side step bars works well on entry and exit. A great style of vehicle that not everyone has, that is what I like.

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  Middle TN trail rider - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Hummin along - February 9 - 3:53 pm

  Very solid vehicle. The most unique suv Ive owned. Nice to look across the parking lot and find your vehicle with ease. Miles away from ordinary. Rides and drive great but could use more power for tow capacity. Definitely gets you a 10 on the attention scale but everyone thinks you must make big bucks. Great value for the price.

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  H3 Problems - 2006 Hummer H3
  By H3 PROBLEMS - February 7 - 9:22 pm

  My H3 has been in the shop 4 times with the same gasket leaking problem, now its in the shop again. Why? cause its leaking again, in the same spot, and now it formed another leak this time under the middle of the truck. It only has 7,000 miles on it, and it has never been four wheeling.

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  h tramp - 2007 Hummer H3
  By tez ramone - February 6 - 6:32 pm

  i love the vehicle, made the perfect choice for me. Has enough power, very comfortable and i like the stylish- ness of the design.

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  warkid - 2006 Hummer H3
  By warkid - January 25 - 6:35 pm

  We love it. Its great off road, fun to drive, pulls a 19 travel trailer, and it will plow thru 3 feet of snow with very little effort. It is a very stable and safe vehicle. Thinking of buying another one. It truly is a little monster.

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  Give this Hummer a 10! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By chris - January 24 - 11:19 pm

  Stand out design, extremely comfortable driving experience, go anywhere off road performance and not one issue... my experience has been a 10!!

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  Loving the Hummer - 2007 Hummer H3
  By jodoan1 - January 19 - 2:24 pm

  I didnt have high expectations after buying only Honda cars for the past 10 years. Sounds silly that you buy a car for style as opposed to reliability, quality and resale value, but I DID! After 2 months of ownership, I am happy to say that the car has exceeded my expectations in quality and "Fun-to-Drive" factor. There was one small problem I noticed after taking delivery of the car, but the dealership drove 50 miles to my work place to fix the problem. It was a missing screw in the rear driver side door moulding.