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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  Hummer H3 "Mixed Feelings" - 2007 Hummer H3
  By mmorrismm - January 18 - 6:03 pm

  Well we picked up a 07 H3 Lux loaded with everything except Nav on new Years. Beautiful Boulder Grey metallic. So far, what a vehicle as far as build quality. A blast to drive and true a lot of looks. May mess up my raise this year as people think it cost over $50K...LOL Gets better gas mileage then our 2000 Cherokee which this replaced. A beast in the snow which is why we got it living in Minneapolis. I really think Hummer (GM) chose to be cheap on a 40K truck and things I took for granted (Should have heated mirrors, RDS even though it has XM, cheesy Tire Pressure system should show separate for all tires,Remote Starter etc) But I would buy it again.

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  Impressive! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Blue Monster - January 14 - 10:50 pm

  Am approaching 13k miles. Excellent vehicle overall. Only minor problems: head needed replacing for rough idle and squeak from front suspension. Its a fun vehicle to drive and can climb over curbs & medians with ease. Very comfortable seats. Quiet. Feels beefy with suspension muscle. My kids love the dual DVD and we get lots of compliments. Am a BMW driver and was looking for something different the H3 definitely fulfilled that desire. Highly recommended vehicle. Just dont expect a powerful engine and performance around corners.

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  H2 experence - 2003 Hummer H2
  By m kennedy - January 12 - 5:22 pm

  1 trouble free for over 3 years 2 uses regular fuel which keeps cost of refill down 3 large 32 gal full tank for long distances 4 i would like to have a better downward fuel filling angle to prevent nozzle from falling from car 5 on remote outside mirrors i would like to be able to program them to fold automatically after parking vehicle

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  Let Nothing Stand In Your Way - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Copper Man - January 12 - 1:06 pm

  This is the most perfectly balanced vehicle that Ive ever driven. It drives solid and strong. It gives you a sense of power, safety and luxury all in one ride without sucking you dry for gas. I was pleasantly surprised at the fuel usage which is less than my previous Ford Explorer. The style and uniqueness are unmatched and the upgrades really stand out. When you drive a Hummer, you are in a class all by yourself and that class is first class.

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  Overall - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Danny - January 10 - 2:11 am

  Im very pleased with my H-3. Its a little under powered, but with all the gears its fine. I wish they had beefed up the front end a little. Tie rods look small and worry they may break under heavy offroading. Bigger motor would have been nice, but the mileage would have been a lot worst.

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  hummer 3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By bud - January 8 - 7:50 am

  I love my vehicle, I did have an engine problem that was resolved .It is great in the snow and handles well..Visibility is less than I expected..overall..very nice vehicle.would like to see a diesel offered.

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  One of the best SUVs I haved owned - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Ken - January 6 - 12:00 pm

  I purchased my H3 in the summer of 2006. I thought I should wait at least a year before I could give any proper praise or criticism of the H3. I primarily used it for driving in snow conditions on my way to ski. Its quite nice to be waived through when chain restrictions are required of other cars in heavy snowfall. I have also used it extensively on Camping trips to National Parks and Forests, where some of the roads are extremely poor. The vehicles off road abilities far surpass any of the other SUVs I have owned, both foreign or domestic makes. The H3 seems to be at home in off road conditions. I dont worry about road conditions in National Forests like I would have in my 4Runner.

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  A Head Turner - 2006 Hummer H3
  By JTLJammer - January 4 - 4:50 am

  Great driving experiance for under $40K. Commanding view of the road, much more than our TBlazer XL. Got it loaded up with Lux Package, Chrome Package, Head Rest DVD System, etc, all for far below "what others are paying" on this site. Make no mistake, it rides like a truck. But it is classy, turning radius is exceptional and I cant wait to take it through a snowstorm. Very rigid truck - you just feel in command when driving it. Get the step rails - youll never get in or out without them. Unlike the H2, it doesnt scream "look at me Im special". It is not a rocket, but unless you will be towing a 5th Wheel (dont), the Inline 5 Cyl is more than enough - dont listen to the complaints.

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  A new honeymooner with my Hummer - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Your Boogy Man - January 3 - 8:57 am

  Ralph Cramden says it best,"A Hummingner, Ah Hummeringner, Ah Hummer H3",LOL,LOL,LOL.! I Love My Hummer, It is a great ride and I do LOVE all the attention I get riding through mall parking lots and parking at work!!!! Way ta go GM !!!!!!!

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  Not for racing - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Mark - January 3 - 8:51 am

  We purchased our H3 after a lot of homework. We were apprehensive concerning all the complaints about the H3 being underpowered. We have owned V-8 powered vehicles mostly and were afraid to give up that power availability. We realized that though the H3 has only an I-5 cyl., it is geared low. The H3 does just fine with the equiped engine, as long as your intentions are not to race the vehicle. We are very happy with the performance and gas mileage. Its just fun to drive. We dont miss our V-8.