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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  Its a four wheel drive off road vehicle - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Dack - October 10 - 6:04 pm

  But its well suited for the street. It will get 23 mpg on the hiway if you drive 57 mph but it go down to 19 if you go 66. Its not a hot rod but its not supposed to be one either. It really is great off road and I have had 3 Broncos. The ride is great also considering its off road gift. First GM truck so we will have to see how it holds up. No lease I own it.

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  only the H1 and H2 are better - 2006 Hummer H3
  By mscottiger - October 9 - 3:17 pm

  been very happy with the new car. took about 2 times of driving to get used to the smaller windows but that is no longer a problem. Love the manual transmition, very easy to drive. love the SUV overall. and the price was the best part. affordable.

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  The King Of SUVs - 2003 Hummer H2
  By My H2 Rocks!! - October 7 - 10:00 am

  The power, I must talk about...to all those who say that the HUMMER nees a large engine...good luck. Before I purchased my H2, I wa talking to the dealer and he mensioned that the 6.0L was the largest engine that they could fit in the bay. What I would request is to tune the engine o about 310 hp and 380 lb/ft of tourque, this would lower its top speed, but it would increase its acceleration off the line, and give it a better ability off-road. I mean seriously whos going to be driving this thing 100+ mpg...with the H2 my prayer have been solved.

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  2007 H3 way to go - 2007 Hummer H3
  By JNC - October 4 - 8:29 pm

  Good looking...Very good ride...Great Radio Fun to Drive...Worth the price... Handles very good and has some get up and go...... Have to get use to some blind spots.

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  Awesome! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By happyhummers - October 2 - 6:44 pm

  This is probably the most comfortable vehicle that weve ever owned. It is very well built & solid the steering is tight and the turning radius is superb. Great on and off the road. We actually have complete strangers stop and ask about our H3. We wouldnt hesitate to recommend this vehicle to anyone. You wont find a better SUV out there, reasonably priced - and its made in America! We are thrilled with our purchase!

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  Youve got to give up to be COOL - 2006 Hummer H3
  By David - October 1 - 8:03 am

  I gave up the speed of a FX35 for the coolness of the H3 and havent looked back. I cant believe the attention this car gets. I have had people looking in the windows while I still inside on the phone. The kids in my neighborhood think it ROCKS. I cant keep my wife away from it. Power is the only downside, maybe they will come out with some supercharged upgrade. Then it would be perfect. Its as fun chroming this as it is my Harleys.

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  great SUV, but safety warning - 2003 Hummer H2
  By dochummer - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had month to drive my Hummer and am generally and favorably impressed. My wife will be happier when I get the spare mounted on the back end. I found one potentially serious safety problem. THe front wheels are so far forward that when you hit standing water on the road during a heavy rain, it tends to plow the water up and forward in thick sheet that completely blinds the driver. The first time it happens is scarey. One needs to be prepared for this event since you will then experience 2-3 seconds without forward vision on the road.

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  Wife Loves This SUV - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Drew - September 29 - 5:43 pm

  Traded in a 2002 Toyota RAV4. Wife alwasy wanted a Hummer. Saw the 0% offer and had to jum on the offer. We have 2 big dogs so she must have an SUV. She said she will never drive anything but a Hummer from today. Very fun to drive and demands off road activity. We love it. More importand is my wife loves it!!!! She got Yellow.

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  buy American? - 2007 Hummer H3
  By timberridge101 - September 27 - 3:34 pm

  After having several German car.I thought Id try American. The trim, paint, body molding & overall fit are not what I expected for the top of the line limited H3X. Ill keep it if the weather requires emergency transportation. GM was going to offer after market kits to dress it up. I cant find any performance products that will fit. By the time I get this SUV set up the way I want. Ill just go back to Porsches SUV-S and drive.

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  Hummer3 Harriet - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Cindy - September 26 - 4:11 am

  I love it! There isnt anything about the H3 I dont like. Seems everywhere I go, other people love it as well. I have even been stopped by a policeman so he could check it out! Best vehicle I have ever owned. Will never go back to another type of SUV.