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:

• 

  excellent truck - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Terry - June 19 - 1:50 pm

  best built gm product ever had. drives like a small car and has guts and style. no rattles or weird noises or any service issues after 10000 miles (so far)

• 

  Total Satisfaction - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Terry - June 15 - 8:16 pm

  Have owned Jaguar,Bentley,BMWs,Corvettes,and a variety of domestic and foreign autos in my life.The H3 brings an degree of owner satisfaction not found in most vehicles. The turning radius is awesome. The structural design gives a great sense of safety and security within the cabin. A joy to drive, ample power, despite bad press concerning same, and good mileage. Every tank with 90% city driving is at 16 mpg and it uses regular gas. The kind of vehicle which makes you create reasons to go somewhere. An extra feature is that my wife loves it as much as I do.Wish she had her own!

• 

  howell - 2006 Hummer H3
  By steven howell - June 11 - 7:20 pm

  I have been driving toyota since 1988 and the H3 changed me over. a fun vehicle to drive. only fall back is the h3 has very little front cab storage, change drawer, ash tray etc. and i do not like the open gas cap area. I dont think GM can out perform toyota engines but I will Have fun driving it.

• 

  Not just for looks!! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Courtney - May 29 - 11:21 am

  I drive mine to/from work everyday and love the safe feeling of being surrounded by 6900 lbs of quality vehicle. I have had my H2 off roading in the high desert of California and it did great!! I have also been through some very hair-raising situations and "she" performed beautifully, the anti-lock brakes worked great on uneven, wet pavement and the stearing didnt diminish at all. The H2 is a status vehicle that I am proud to drive anywhere!!

• 

  Hummer Forever - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Stormin Norm - May 24 - 6:04 pm

  Consider what the h2 is for, and its not commuting! Is it slower than a mustang and suck enough gas for 3 honda civics? You bet. But on the fun index, it ranks off the charts! Participated in a off-road excursion with Hummer group for first time and was awestruck by the vehicles abilities! Nothing else can touch this. Takes you to places and scenery you would never otherwise be able to see. Without this off-roading experience, you cant possibly appreciate what this vehicle can do. Even after traversing some of the roughest terrain imaginable, the truck is completely silent and squeak free. Remember to consider what this truck is designed for. Good as a daily driver except for gas.

• 

  Awesome - 2006 Hummer H3
  By CATMAN85 - May 18 - 5:06 pm

  Before my ordered H3 arrived I was concerned about power. Dont be. This vehicle is a great performer, great ride and its got class. Thanks GM.

• 

  H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By FOOTFXR52 - May 18 - 12:43 am

  I have had everything from mercedes to porsches to tahoes and 3/4 ton diesel suburbans and i never regret trading my sl 500 for this 05 h2. I have had it off road and it is extremely capable even in the hands of rookie off roaders as we had at our last dealer sponsored get together in a cypress swamp after 3 days rain. The dealer service has been exceptional. And my wife recently asked to take it from florida to n. Carolina to mississippi back to n. Carolina and back to ocala, fl. The kicker? She chose it over her mercedes ml 55 amg!!

• 

  Enjoy Your Short Stay!!! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Artie - May 16 - 7:05 pm

  I have to tell you this truck is a joy compared to my 1994 H1. I traded my H1 for the 2004 Infinity QX56 and the roads here in New England were destroying this truck. My Qx56 felt like the suspension a 10 year old truck after one New England winter. I was seeing 10mpg for the Qx56 and 9 mpg for the H1. My new H2 averages 11mpg city and as high as 18 on highway at 60mpg. This truck really is fun to drive. The touch screen nav,large sunroof,Xm radio,heated seats,power mirrors really make this truck a pleasure to drive. For a guy who really has owned most cars and trucks out there, this H2 is my favorite. I traded my Mercedes SL600 sport for it!!! Life is too short.....enjoy!!!

• 

  Hummerlicious2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By GYNGUY - May 4 - 5:55 pm

  This truck has been fantastic! The pwer and quality are fantastic! Gas milage is better then reported! Im getting 13.5 Miles to the gal. City driving. All in all im very happy with this purchase!

• 

  My HUMMER - 2005 Hummer H2
  By fxracer223 - May 1 - 2:52 pm

  My purchase of my HUMMER H2 was the best vehclie i have ever bought because of the stylist exterior and interior.This was the only vehcile that i had that people would actaully stop to look at and the handling and preformance is just excellent.