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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  Spend your hard earned money elsewhere - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Danshee - August 26 - 10:00 am

  Generic. Looks great, but then you sit in it and everything is generic. Hyundaiesque plastics and no room to be had. Ride isnt impressive either. Only buy this if you are so into vanity that your ego needs looks from everyone when you drive around. Youre better off buying a Suburban. Its tha same low quality product.

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  Hummer H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By DC Man - August 25 - 3:37 am

  This is one QUIET machine, ride is almost car like in town, but take it on a washboard dirt road, get it to 60 and tape your jaw shut. It is awesome. Smoother than one would ever imagine. Handles like it is still on a highway. Gas milage for me has been 18.9 with the low around 16 in heavy outer loop traffic. I have taken it up some very steep hills of construction site dirt and it acts like they dont exist, and I am talking all I could see was sky! this is probably the best ATV made. I have owned everything from grand cherokee to corvette, with a Harley or two thrown in and I am IMPRESSED. If you are in the market, do yourself a favor and test drive one.

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  Poor Front End - 2006 Hummer H3
  By bary - August 22 - 2:22 pm

  I got an H3 2 weeks ago and it had a bad vibration...The selling dealer exchanged it for another H3...This one has an alignment problem that the dealer says it cannot fully remedy because of a problem in the rear. So now Im 2 for 2 with disappointment...I hope GM takes this lemon back

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  New HUMMER Owner - 2006 Hummer H3
  By BANGLE - August 21 - 2:43 pm

  Purchased new dark blue H3 base model for Michigan winters and the Hummer styling. Exterior design is striking. Off-road is great, very nimble and inspires confidence with ground clearance and stability. Good ride on-road. What is going on with the drivers side arm rest? I accidentally lower the windows when I get in with my elbow and the arm rest jabs into my leg (Im 62"). The drivers seat is positioned too low and deep. My left foot hangs up on the parking brake cable. Great buy overall, though. The 2007 has 15 more horsepower which would be nice.

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  tight - 2005 Hummer H2
  By bigjada243 - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I like this car a lot to cruise in , it looks good.

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  Recommended purchase - 2006 Hummer H3
  By wes - August 15 - 9:53 pm

  excellent look, no road to tough, chicks really did it and the gas mileage is way better than the escalade and many extras you can add

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  Happy Camper - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Blue Max - August 15 - 7:00 pm

  This vehicle is a gas (no pun intended) to drive: fun and suited to both in city and long haul freeway trips at high speeds. It is actually very comfortable and quiet (this automatic has the Morocco Leather Luxury Package with sunroof) on long trips, not at all truck-like. It turns heads but doesnt cause the recriminations of the H2/H1 not that a Hummer driver much cares what is behind them, only what lies ahead! I am looking forward to winter driving and use the off road (Adventure Package) as part of my job. I have owned a Grand Cherokee as well as a full size Mitsubishi Montero and this is more masculine than both of them, combined. I recommend it as a good value with no pretensions.

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  like nothing else - 2006 Hummer H3
  By sltbluh3 - August 14 - 4:53 pm

  The braking system is excellent. Ride is very comfortable. Feel safer. I drive about 70-75 miles a day a combinaton of back country (23) stop and go city (5) and interstate (7). I get about 18.8 mpg with this type driving. Ive pulled trailer with no issue. Very fun! This is my 6th 4x4 and the best.

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  Sports Car to Hummer, Easy Transition - 2006 Hummer H3
  By THATCH - August 14 - 2:30 pm

  I traded an 05 Altima SE-R (260HP) for the H3 Luxary Package with Navigation. I have not been disappointed one bit. Brakes are great, and as for the power-- yes it is less than perfect but its a HUMMER and everyone just seems to get out of the way as soon as you look like youre going to move/turn, etc. Its almost humorous. Fit & Finish are the best Ive seen on a GM vehicle, ever. Interior styling is far superior to my past GM experiences. It is solid and quiet inside even on brick roads, railroad tracks, or backing over curbs... :-D The headlights are not HID, but they are built like HID with the cone type center reflector. I get flashed with brights more now than with HIDs.

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  H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By arose4yu - August 10 - 9:53 am

  Before I purchased this vehicle, I heard the acceleration was poor. I do notice that you have to floor it if you are on an incline (like on a freeway), but I dont mind at all. This vehicle, to me is more about cruising than trying to race other cars. Havent tried offroading, but Im sure as Hummer it should be fine.