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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  Wat a great vehicle! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By AWESOME! - October 28 - 8:16 pm

  The Hummer has been great, it is built like a rock. I would highly recommend it. We were looking at getting a truck and Im very glad we got this it beat it way in price and in gas mileage! its sweet!! And u get noticed in a bright red HUMMER got to love it!!!

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  2003 Hummer H2 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Maverick - October 27 - 2:42 pm

  The best SUV that I have owned to date. Very, very surprised by the truck

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  Kewl Truck - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Jerry - October 24 - 9:31 pm

  I dont know about all of you "Hotrodders" but I believe that people drive way too fast anyway, so to take a little more time getting up to 60 mph is not a problem for me and my wife. We love our Hummer H3, it really is impressive to drive and the turning radius is unbelievable (better than the S-10 I traded in and better gas mileage too). The size is great and people really take notice of the H3. I rate it "ONE FUN RIDE"

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  2007 H3X much better ! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By auto exotica - October 22 - 9:07 am

  Love H3x looks...18 inch wheels...3.7L engine much better power and torque than my 2006...drives smooth and great handling....traded in my new 2007 jeep wrangler 4 door for H2x and no regrets!!!!!

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  Re-Think it! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Mary C - October 20 - 12:28 pm

  After owning this vehicle for a year, I am ready to trade it. Loved the looks, but it is over-rated. It really lacks power and acceleration speed. Good for gas, but not for passing. Foot pedals are much too close. Fiance has a size 13-14 shoe and refuses to drive it. Power window controls are too far back and it has MANY MANY blind spots. You can hide a Civic behind you and not see it in rear-view or side mirrors. (No joke) I am 511 athletic female and vehicle still feels a bit tight for us with the leg room we need. Car seats do not fit well in the back seat without MUCHO effort. Great with obstacles and offroading, but lack of power just makes it a downer. Really just for "looks."

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  tuff momma - 2002 Hummer H1
  By elvis corporal - October 18 - 3:53 pm

  im a former military member and i always wanted to own one. the h1 is a great improvement from the military version as far as convenience. it rides great and i dont even use my drive way now i use my ditch. it turns lots of head and i loved it.

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  Awesome! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Jimmy - October 18 - 3:17 pm

  I have to say that the H3 is an all around fun vehicle to drive. My friends and family love it and they are always wanting to take a ride in it. Make sure to get the luxury package.

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  Fun On and Off-Road - 2007 Hummer H3
  By MD2BKobe - October 17 - 10:07 pm

  This is a fun car to drive and not to mention the looks I get barreling down the road in my bright red 2007 H3. Off- road the H3 is equally impressive and handles great. All in all, I would say I am very pleased with my decision to go with the H3 over the Tahoe, 4- runner, or jeep grand cherokee. It is a far better buy. You get more options for less money as compared to all the other SUVs in its class. I would strongly reccomend going to your local dealer and have them take you on the obstacle course to show you just some of the things the H3 can do. If that doesnt convince you to go with the H3 over the tahoe or other SUVs then I dont know what will.

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  I got more power! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Colorado - October 17 - 4:44 pm

  The H3 handles good and has a much better than expected turning radus. Here in Colorado I get to drive most suvs and I liked the H3 best for comfort with four on board and ease of handling in town or off road. However the H3 is a little under powered with a five piston, 3.5L engine when you drive at higher altitudes (I live at 7,100 feet above sea level). To get more power when I go into the mountains or on the Interstate I put in a Vortec supercharger and intercooler. Remember that this suv is 4,800 lbs. so its not a light weight but with another 100 plus horse power it has some get up and go. I have lost some mpgs but if I drive with a little care its not more than 10 to 15%.

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  Im one of the first to drive - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Osymandis - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive been work with AM General for about two weeks now. My job is to learn how to drive the H2 on AM Generals off road course. Starting monday Ill be teaching others how to drive it off road. After getting behind the wheel of this monster, you wont want any other truck! I had the chance two days ago to take the truck to the Indiana National Dunes and try it out on my own. It ran over trees with ease, it did 100ft. dunes like speed bumps. I pulled up next to a guy in a Jeep Cherokee. I said, "Hey man, nice truck. My mom has one just like it." He then wanted to race me; so I tore hime a new rear with the H2s 6 litre V8 with 316hp.