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 Hummer H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By DnDESGV - April 11 - 4:50 pm

  Love my 06, H3 Yellow Hummer, it is the best to drive and everybody stares at you and points, was a long time dream to have one and now I do. There is nothing else like it. Thanks

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  Great truck - 2006 Hummer H3
  By H3 - April 4 - 9:36 pm

  It rides nice and is fun to drive. have taken a trip and enjoyed the drive

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  Nice, if youre a 14 year-old kid - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Biffster - April 3 - 12:07 pm

  I was looking for a full-size SUV and it came down to either this, the H1, or the Escalade ESV. The H1 was both too pricey -- if Im going to spend $140k on a car its going to be a Porsche Turbo -- and too "trucky." The Escalade interior was JUNK and I knew it was going to be replaced soon. So that left me with the H2. I shouldve waited for the 2007 Escalade. The H2s build quality -- especially in the UGLY interior -- is very plasticky and of dubious craftsmanship. There really isnt a lot of "useful" space in the truck either. Its "boy toy" looks get a lot of comments -- from 13-year-old boys. Every adult I know (myself included) scratches their head and asks "Why?"

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  Really enjoying the H2 - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Green Rider - April 2 - 9:09 pm

  I am a recent H2 owner, after years of mostly sports cars... Ive never had a vehicle that was anywhere near as enjoyable as the H2. People really seem to respond to a ride in the big truck, everybody wants you to drive, and everybody wants to ride around. Its comfortable, its cool, it feels safe & snug for such a big beast. Does the H2 get good mileage? no. is it 1-2 MPG around town better than my 3/4 ton silverado? yes. And easier to park. The ride is more luxury SUV than pickup, and the experience of riding around in the humm has no match. I had considered the possibility of getting alot of negative attention, but so far people just loooove this thing. Drive politely!

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  Nice Ride - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Luxury - March 30 - 7:23 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. It has great visibility, extremely comfortable, and makes me feel safe on the road. Would add a couple of features next time: Tire pressure indicator and back-up screen.

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  hummer 3 is a good buy - 2006 Hummer H3
  By xavier sulsona - March 29 - 11:46 am

  very pleased, great look and quality. i wish that gm places a 6 cyl as a standard option.

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  Best Beast on the Road. Nuff Said. - 2005 Hummer H2
  By HummerBoy4Life - March 28 - 12:41 pm

  Im a 17 year old boy that owns a Hummer. This is my first car, which I got for Christmas in 05. I have driven many types of vehicles from Jeeps to Land Rovers off road and on road, and the best all round performance goes to my Hummer H2. While the H1 Alpha does indeed have the H2 beat in overall offroad performance, it doesnt even compare on the road. Smooth, quick, and luxurious, what more can you ask for? Throw in the Corsica Touring Exhaust and you have a vehicle that sounds as mean as it performs. Not to mention that Im an audio enthusiast and the H2 is the only vehicle with a large enough alternator from the factory to power 4 Kicker amps with 4 Kicker dual 16 inch subs.

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  H2 SUT Farm Truck - 2006 Hummer H2
  By jim - March 26 - 2:21 am

  I was looking for a new farm truck for my organic mountain farm, so I went to the SF car show in 2005. After looking at every 4x4 at the show, I saw the H2 SUT. After much research, I bought it. WOW, what a truck!! No longer do I drive in fear of rolling over in steep terrain. I can haul over 3/4 ton, carry large pipes on the roof, and lumber. My neighbors are impressed that I can travel the rough mountain roads at speeds that they say would break the suspensions of their trucks, and in comfort! On paved roads, I can often outcorner sports cars driven by "regular" drivers. The cornering is impressive! Same MPG as my old pick up. Switch to ehtanol and Id be 100% happy!

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  Well Designed Hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By New Huumer Buyer - March 24 - 9:23 pm

  Just purchased my Hummer and I can honestly say the designers at GM did the proper critical thinking needed to compete in a competitive auto market. It balances between power and economy. No its not a Porsche eater, but sufficent for its intended purpose. The build quality and choice of materials is great. Interior controls are well thought out and functional. Exterior design is rugged. Overall, my driving experience has been very positive with very few complaints. I would recommend this vehicle for its unique look, quality, and emphasis on fuel economy. This design will last the test of time, with continued slight modifications GM will have repeat buyers going forward.

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  2005 H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Patrick - March 15 - 5:09 pm

  If you are looking for a vehicle that gets attention this is the one. If you are looking for something practical, go buy a Denali. I had a 2003 Denali XL before, got tired of it and traded for a 2005 H2. I like the way it handles, but the power and ride is not as good as the Denali. Also, it has limited cargo room and you loose a lot of storage space in the vehicle. A few other annoying items include the nav screen that point toward the passenger, no six disc changer, and a bouncy ride. I probably will go back to a 2007 Denali XL as soon as they come out.