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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  2nd H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Wj - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I drove an 03 H2 for two years and loved it. Just traded for an 05 and already expect the same great and fun performance. Have owned several Suburbans and a couple of Lexus SUVs and the H2 is just as comfortable and for sure more fun to drive......

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  Cool Vehicle - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Max Eitelman - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I have totally enjoyed owning a Hummer. It is a vehicle that turns heads. The styling is so cool, Im known as the guy with the Hummer by my kids friends. This vehicle does use a lot of gas, it has to with all of the capabilities. It will go through anything and tow anything. It does so much that I would highly recommend reading the owners manual from cover to cover. This is THE capability vehicle, Id reccomend it to anyone living in remote areas of the US.

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  hummerh5 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Hummerh5 - August 7 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, lots of looks needs better gas milage, great 4 wheeling, good build quailty.

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  excellent - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Elizabeth p. - July 30 - 2:00 am

  my ride is excellent

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  Lovemyh3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By VegasGal - July 21 - 1:13 am

  This SUV is phenomenal to my family and I. Its "rugged" capabalities are majorly impressive! Not the most power in its class, but were not looking to race a Hummer. lol. Its built for what its meant for. Going where everywhere else cant, and getting away from it all. It rides super comfortable, smooth. Keen suspension. Best Sunroof ever. Best Monsoon 7 Speaker system w/ XM ever. I cant say how many heads are drawn to it when its driving down the road. Looks like no other. Feels like no other. Is like no other. Happy Customer from Las Vegas

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  Awesome Little Monster - 2006 Hummer H3
  By John - July 20 - 10:03 am

  My family has enjoyed the H3 and will keep enjoying it. It has been a great addition and hope to keep it for years to come.

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  The car to have if youre a fun seeker - 2006 Hummer H3
  By hummer gal - July 19 - 10:40 pm

  I have had many cars, ranging from 5speedster convertibles to midsize to v8 trucks. The H3 is no comparison to either class, it would not be a fair comparison to the other cars. But, if you want to know, this is a car for a thrill seeker. Do not look for power because you shall find none. Do not expect the suspension of an avalanche or much less a cadillac, this car has a firm, sure of itself ride. I like the car not b/c it is the first one to escape the beaurocratic non- confrontational, tamed designs that have plagued the auto industry, the one that broke the mould. And, as previously said, it is just as fun to ride and admire from whichever angle. Wished seats were raised up a bit more.

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  A Economy Hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Hummer Guy - July 17 - 3:13 am

  Very nice, strong vehicle. Awesome design, obviously a hummer. It gets plenty of head turns.

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  LDP - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Luis D. Pineda - July 12 - 4:53 pm

  Its design is elegant, definitely distinctive from the rest, specially when compared with similarly priced suvs. My wife and i love it.

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  Gotta LOVE it!! - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Harley Hummer - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Just got my Victory Red H2, decked out with everything imaginable... I LOVE it!! I dont even care that it gets 12 mpg. Its just a beast. Pure Attitude! I am suprised of all the GM stuff inside... the controls are like my wifes Escalade. It could be more unique and rugged.