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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  Love it! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Truman - July 19 - 10:00 pm

  Ive never had an off-road (or any other) SUV, and the H2 drives like the best car Ive ever owned! Im only getting 10-13 mpg, so I would like to know how others are getting up to 20. Of course, I also love the attention everywhere I drive, too.

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  The H2 - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Josh Lunsford - July 19 - 10:51 am

  I love the H2 I am only 16 years old and I love it. I can take it off- roading when I want or I can have a nice ride around town in luxury. It will turn heads. It is the best vehicle I have ever had.

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  Love My H2 - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Jewel - July 9 - 7:31 am

  This H2 replaced a Lexus LX470. The Hummer is easier to steer and has an unbelievably tight turning radius. Size takes a little getting used to, but it gives the occupants great visibility. About 12.5 MPG around town on regular gas. After driving my H2 for three+ months, I love it more than ever.

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  The better choice - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Craig - July 7 - 7:54 pm

  Smooth ride accelerates quickly with a high rev, but once you get going its all comfort. Great steering and with a rear cam good visibility. Get the lux package youll be happy you did. The tires are great dont bother changing them out. Interior design is great, soft leather and a wide sunroof works. Be careful driving it home the roof clearence is something to get used to. Remeber to keep the sunroof open and pay attention to the garage door height. Remeber that DVDs in the headrests keep children quiet!

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  My Hummer - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Mail2jb - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Everthing I expected and more. A blast to drive and if you can afford the $50,000 to buy one dont complain about the fuel economy. ( I get 9.2 mpg ) I get more compliments on this truck then I do on my BMW convertible or my old Mercedes ML. Most importantly, I feel incredibly safe driving my 3 kids around in it. Cant wait for snow!

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  The Hummer - 2004 Hummer H2
  By jrkaso - July 3 - 10:00 am

  This was pretty nice ride when we took it to the mountains.

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  EXCELLENT - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Finley - July 3 - 10:00 am

  LOVE IT!THE BEST CAR I EVER OWNED! I WILL ALWAYS BUY A HUMMER.

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  mid-sized muscle - 2006 Hummer H3
  By gulcappyjr - June 26 - 10:53 pm

  picked up my birch white adventure series on 8-13, loaded it with extras ie: black off road lights,mud flaps, brushguard,sidesteps, lampguards, monsoon system and chrome fuel door. the cloth interior is extremely comfortable. the 33 inch off-road tires make this hummer look awesome. do yourself a favor and do not worry about the horsepower the h3 is a fine tuned machine. the gearing is brilliant. cant wait for my next drive home. thanks gm this thing is a tank!!

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  My Hummer - 2006 Hummer H2
  By gina - June 26 - 11:07 am

  The Hummer is more than everyone says. An excellent Luxury SUV. We love our Hummer and will not purchase any other SUV on the market. The ride is nice and comfortable. Plenty of room and cargo space.

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  Best Vehicle I have ever owned! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By orsunbear - June 20 - 8:00 pm

  Ive owned a great number of cars and trucks over the years, but this one beats them all hands down. First of all is the interior room. I am a 65" driver and I swear I could wear a cowboy hat while driving! I have put 45,000 miles on my H2 in two years. Driving from Oregon to Las Vegas and back between homes several times a year, I can drive straight through and still arrive in comfort. Other than changing the oil (synthetic for me!!) I have never touched this vehicle or had problems. Ill be driving an H2 as long as they keep building them. If they stop, Id go buy two or three tomorrow just to insure I have one for life!!!