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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  Slow Pretty Box - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Sgt. R - December 6 - 4:17 pm

  The H3 is underpowered. It barely can maintain 75 MPH on the highway and if you go up any incline the MPH will drop. The SUV gets poor MPG for a five cyl. engine. I like the look and it is nice off road but dont do any long distance highway driving. Interior is bland. Lots of mods available.It just isnt a real hummer. Should have more power and that would make things a lot better.

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  fun to drive - 2004 Hummer H2
  By pbgb - December 2 - 2:00 am

  a blast to drive.rides much nicer than you would think

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  Ryans Ride - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Rtzz55 - November 24 - 4:00 pm

  Overall quality is excellent, I knew the mileage was poor before I bought it, and I would buy it again. Rides very nice. Great power. The only thing I would change is to have a little leg room in the back seat.

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  H3 is Outstanding - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Jack - November 22 - 2:03 pm

  Like the bank vault feeling after being "on display" in past Range Rovers. Several other vehicles considered (FJ,FX,LR3,X5,ML) and appreciated the simplicity of controls & excellent front seat comfort. True, the blinds spots are huge (not as bad as FJ)but just turn your head & use your mirrors. Great sound system, excellent HVAC & so far build quality/ reliability is perfect. Warranty & great dealer pricing/service so far prove to be a great ownership experience, especially after owning two $70K+ vehicles that you would expect to be treated like " a special customer" by dealer personnel. It never happened. I should be grateful that experience saved me $35K and undue frustration! Thanks GM.

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  Buying American Again - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Rusty - November 21 - 7:11 pm

  After many years of Toyotas and Nissans I have finally went back to American made. The H3 seems to be practical and looks sharp. Hopefully, it will be dependable.

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  My 2006 MEGSHMR!!!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Meggie - November 21 - 11:31 am

  I absolutely love my screaming red H3. Almost everything about it is wonderful. The only complaint I will voice is with regard to the stereo. Within weeks of purchasing my H3 the coating on the stereo/radio buttons started to wear off. I had to have my radio replaced - I was told they used "soft touch" paint in the design and it was wearing off for all owners. If it continues to happen I will have to have my stereo replaced yet again. Other than that...no complaints. The most wonderful car I ever owned - and I went from my beloved 20 year old BMW 528e that I drove off the lot brand new in 1986 to my H3 and I love it!!!

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  H3 A Solid Choice (but)... - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Rayvyn - November 20 - 6:36 am

  I have owned my H3 for a year now and racked up 14,000 miles so I think I can say it is an exceptional vehicle. I see ratings dragged down everywhere by test-drivers and tree huggers but when you are considering a new suv guesses and fairy tales should not be good enough. In a word it is a solid 8 for anyone other than a moterhead speed freak and a 10 for on / off road mixers... Sadly - it is and will always be both a GM and a low end model under the hood so until the design a specific v6 for it - you will be risking your money (as with any GM)... The only real problem is the weight and some pushing on neg. camber turns...

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  My Jeep with More Seats - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Scott Vogt - November 11 - 11:18 am

  I have only owned my H3 for about a month but have already used it off- road and hwy driving. It is the most fun vehicle I have ever driven and to date as capable as my Jeep Wrangler that I had to trade. There are not many H3s in rural NE which makes it even more fun when you park it and everyone once to come get a look. I gave up cleaning the side windows for now due to the finger prints that always appear when I return. Fun to drive, fun to look at and capable of true offroad performance is what sets this apart from other vehicle in its class.

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  Different than the others - 2006 Hummer H3
  By gina4321 - November 3 - 3:06 pm

  My husband has a black H3 that he has totally chromed out..He has this H3 looking like it came out of a SEMA catalog. Its gorgeous and mean. I really enjoy driving and riding in the truck. Very comfortable, the front leather seats feel like recliners. Turning radius is fantastic. OnStar is wonderful!! We have had the H3 for about 9 months now and all we do is drive it. We have 24k miles on it and purchased it with 11k already on it. Have had 0 problems. We have taken it on an offroad Hummer weekend and Ive never seen a SUV do the things this one did. The H2s could not compete with its onroad capabilities. The only disadvantage is the fuel consumption, 15mpg,but takes reg. unleaded!

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  H3 rocks - 2007 Hummer H3
  By H3 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I love my H3! Hummers are so much fun to drive! I never wouldve considered off-roading, but it is so much fun!!