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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  Possibly the best vehicle Ive ever owned! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By mike_n_va - March 15 - 6:47 pm

  **Luxury pkg. 3.5 i-5, 4x4 Automatic** I bought my 06 H3 used almost a year ago with 36k on it, I was VERY skeptical because I have never been a big fan of GM but after a long process of reading reviews, stats and comparing to competition it just made since. This H3 Rocks! Very comfortable, Solid build, awesome looks AND gas mileage is surprisingly good! (apprx. 18-19 hwy) 4x4 is ridiculous, Ive had it on sand, trail and deep snow and it had me smiling ear to ear. One problem I could do without would be the limited i-5. Although I never have problems with regular driving 85 mph+.. highway or acceleration (on-ramps etc) But Steep mountainous inclines are tough at highway speeds.

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  still strong - 2004 Hummer H2
  By yarealman - December 2 - 2:00 am

  well i drive this in any weather Hummer does not care hot H2 cools me cold H2 warms me lot of room and with air ride it drives great i am happy

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  Just Love It. - 2007 Hummer H2
  By Spirit Dove - November 21 - 2:00 am

  This was my dream vehicle. It gets better gas mileage that my Expedition although not the best I was used to budgeting the gas. Heavy and solid vehicle and in the snow awesome. I feel so safe in my Hummer and the Arctic Blue color was a surprise. Driving it is heaven and I do get the looks. I new thought I would be able to own one. Its fun to drive!

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  64,000 and going - 2006 Hummer H3
  By russ - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought new in March of 2006, since then we have had 3 bad winters in a row, it is one tough SUV in the snow, no problems even in new 14" snow that hasnt been plowed. Only problem, portion of the left fender on rear driver side door paint came off. Other than that no problems. Great driver in any weather. By the way still have the original Bridgestone tires, they will make it through one more winter. I will put the same Bridgestone tires back on it.

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  I traded my vette for it - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Dale - November 16 - 2:00 am

  I loved my little red 87 Corvette, but when I happened to test drive the H3X, I had no problem trading it in. My Hummer is just as exciting as the vette,just in a different way. Im safe, comfortable, and still stylish. I can go to the hunting camp and cover it with mud, take it to the car wash and still take the Mrs. to a fancy restaurant that evening. It is the ultimate boy toy. Ladies, there are a lot of H3s coming back on the market from leases at real steals. Christmas is coming. You want to get him something hell really like?

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  Good for what it is! - 2003 Hummer H2
  By David - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this 03 H2 as a project vehicle for our contracting company. We are performing a Duramax engine swap. The stock 6.0 V8 gets dismal fuel mileage (5-10 mpg) here in the rocky mountains. The H2 will be used for remote utility work and we wanted an SUV for carrying sensitive equipment into the mountains with a rugged look and feel. Blind spot galore, but has that cool factor and the "get out of my way" look as well.

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  More comments on Hummer than C6 - 2008 Hummer H3
  By LuvsHummers - November 2 - 2:00 am

  As a previous owner of an Escalade and BMW X5 I am impressed. The Alpha has plenty of power when you need it and cruises smooth at 85-90. This thing is build very tough and think it is the ideal vehicle for anywhere. If the term MPG is even a worry keep looking, while I do get 15-16 hwy it isnt pretty when driving in traffic. Overall I think this is a nice all around vehicle but not quite the space of larger suvs. Went between this and a H2 and chose the smaller, and am happy with that choice.

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  Great woods truck - 2007 Hummer H3
  By PAULICUSMAXIMUS - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have owned teo and still have one fuel awful with a average hwy of 15 mpg will go any place you put it. I pulled a 75k tractor trailer without a wheel spin and have the video to back it. You can accessorize to your hearts content. Not made for speed but will go when you have to.

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  Hummers rule - 2007 Hummer H3
  By white h3x - September 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd hummer h3. I am now on my 2nd H3 and I have an H3x now and let me tell you this thing is decked out. Tan leather interior, dvd headrest gps Got rid of monsoon system (updated and put new speakers in the doors and even added subwoofers)adding 26s for the warm months next year. I always loved the Hummer line in general and I could not afford the H1 and H2s so the 3 was the best option. I live in Ohio where the winter months has been horrible the last couple of years but my H3 never fails me! I even have friends calling to borrow it or can they pay me to be a taxi for them. Upset GM is taking them away but luckily I have mine already! Will keep for a few years then upgrade to H2

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  Its so Cute! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Popester - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 2006 Hummer H3 with 80,000 miles on it. Although the mileage was high, I had confidence in it after reading the reviews. It came with DVD player and sidestep rails. Just the base package. I didnt really want all the bells and whistles because my theory is, the more that you have, the more that can go wrong. Im a 57" female and I have plenty of room. I heard about the blind spots but I dont have any problems with that. The best thing is, even though this is a 2006, you cant tell. People love it and want it.