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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  my H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Pat Jolley - August 9 - 2:28 pm

  I have an H3 with the 4x4 off road package. My car demands attention, It looks good, and has a dominating character off road. It gained my respect the day I was traveling to work on a 2 lane road at 60 mph. I turned the corner to find a truck turning without a turn signal indicator on. My reaction time was minimal. I veered to the left. He also turned in that direction. I then turned to the right with brakes pressed hard. My Hummer responded precise controlled, confident,and I was able to avoid the truck. My only complaints: not enough power on highway and limited visibility in rear window. Backing up is tricky. When they improve that Ill get a new one.I love my Hummer.My husband does too!

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  2006 Hummer H3 is FUN! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By rcdrig - August 9 - 11:56 am

  I have 5000 miles on this vehicle every mile of which was fun to put on. Fuel economy and performance are not great, but thats what I expected. The build qualiy is the best Ive seen from GM, and the design, both interior and exterior are done to perfection. The little offroading Ive done says this is the best off roader yet! On road and cleaned up this vehicle catches eyes including mine. Outstanding vehicle!

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  Swfla h3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By KYLE - August 9 - 9:46 am

  Great support, high clearance in water or rock, the 2 boys love it, i love a lot of mileage in fl, ga and nc this h3 has not been babied and it has stood the test all we do is change the oil, waiting for a bigger motor or diesel edition

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  H2 the best - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Dana Gies - August 6 - 3:09 pm

  The H2 is a great SUV. The entire H2 is perfect. The mileage is the same as a suburban or truck not worse as we have both. I love the H2.

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  Hummer 2006 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By 4drsuv4wd3.5l5cyl5m - August 3 - 3:58 pm

  The hummer is very comfortable to drive, excellent in winter conditions.The only downside is the amount of storage space in the rear, and the lack of storage space in the front interior. Other than I love it. Bob Brown

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  Luv this Hummer! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By luvmyhummer - August 1 - 1:17 pm

  We shopped around and finally decided to get the Hummer H3. We have the money to spend on the larger, but, for running errands and going to our 2nd home in the mountains, we feel the H3 fits our needs. I love how it looks, sound systems is nice and it is comfortable! The only draw back is that the rear window does not roll down - too bad for our 195 lb English Mastiff. We love it!

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  Darn Fine Ride - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Guido - August 1 - 3:56 am

  Youve read all the raps on this car already. It wont drive like a Porsche while pulling a house and still get 40 mpg. It is what it is; and I like it. Its comfortable to drive, handles reasanably well for a heavy truck, and it does everything I expected it to do. The power is sufficient and reasonably balanced with mpg. Interior cargo space is limited - but its because of the huge wheel wells for off-road suspension travel. I knew what I was getting in to and I got what I expected. Im very happy with that.

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  Eye Catching!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By mom of three - July 30 - 3:33 pm

  I love driving my Hummer. I purchased the luxary package in Boulder Grey and put 450 miles on it the first week I owned it. I have three kids in car seats, so it is a tight fit on the back seat. I have to be careful closing doors so no ones hand gets smashed. The cargo area is also smaller the expected. Again, it is a tight fit for the double stroller I carry. Overall, the kids love the Hummer as much as me. It get good gas mileage and the sound system and onstar are nice to have. The salespeople at our dealership bent over backwards for us to give us the best deal ever. We will definitely be repeat customers.

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  Hummer H3s are awesome - 2007 Hummer H3
  By josh cline - July 29 - 7:39 am

  Many people believe that hummers are gas guzzling blocks on wheels, but there is another side to hummer. A practical side, the H3 gets decent mileage for its size and performs off road like no other. also good to have on family cruises. How you ask? Well, by folding down the rear seats and extra 55 cubic feet is added to your compartment space. Also the optional roof hatch allows you to easily transport suitcases along with other essentials for family trips. Also, the H3 performs well on camping trips. For example, say you needed to pull a trailer with your camping gear in it. Well the H3 can pull up to 4963 pounds, so when your looking for a new midsized suv think hummer.

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  This is a great vehicle to own - 2006 Hummer H3
  By SHERYL - July 28 - 4:54 pm

  I have really enjoyed this car. It took me a little while to get use to the small windows but now I dont mind them. This SUV has a nice smooth ride, no road noise, and a great sound system. No matter where I go perfect strangers come up to me to ask about the Hummer. I have gotten more attention with this vehicle than any other I have ever owned. I would absolutely buy one again.