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:

• 

  Just What I Hoped - 2006 Hummer H3
  By oldboy - March 14 - 8:13 pm

  I have had 20 cars in my life, the most recent being the first car I ever leased, a Cadillac SRX. My lifestyle is not cut out for leasing (drive too many miles) and I was praying for a lease pull ahead to get this Hummer. As soon as the lease pull ahead came, I bought a new H3. I was hoping it would be as nice as my favorite car, my 1996 4Runner. Its better. The ride is just what youd expect, and the power is better than what I expected. It took a few phone calls to find what I wanted -- Red, luxury package with no sunroof, no chrome. The leather seats are much better than the cloth -- well worth the extra $. Stability and noise level at highway speeds are great. Highly recommend

• 

  Its not all that - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Ruxpin - March 7 - 10:00 am

  The H2 missed the mark. Its grossly underpowered, the sound system is lack- luster at best. Regarding AC, you can get colder by standing in front of an open refrigerator. I understand this is AM General attempt to tame a "wild beast" .. It seems several engineers were absent from design meetings .. (power-plant engineer, HVAC engineer, sound system engineer).. The new Hummer has been presented in a kinder and gentler way. It has attitude in terms of looks, but nothing to back it up ..(engine, AC, sound system).. Sales goals for this vehicle should be revised down sharply.

• 

  What were they thinking? - 2003 Hummer H2
  By SUVGirl - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Based on the non-negotiable price ($55, 000 fully loaded), the vehicle is underpowered, the ac doesnt cool & the stereo didnt have any kick. As a woman, I felt safe in the vehicle, but it was overshadowed by the inability to accelerate and merge. Dont get me wrong, the truck looks and it "climb" over things, but how many times will I actually take it off road? Maybe twice. Stop production and re-engineer the vehicle before it is deemed with a wicked nickname (ex. Ford Exploder). I understand the H2 is heavy, but the engine should have been properly sized.

• 

  Hummer hummmmmms - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Terrance Farrell - February 18 - 10:15 pm

  I have driven my H2 to Texas and back two times this year. I prefer to drive it than fly if the distance is equal or less to Texas from Georgia. What a wonderful ride and I like the idea that can see traffic problems way ahead of all others except prehaps the 18 wheelers! My wife drives an LX470 and it feels like a sedan to me now that I have put over 20,000 miles on my H2.

• 

  I love this truck - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Patricia Burns - February 9 - 9:46 am

  This is a girls Hummer. Drives great, looks fantastic, and I cannot stop driving it! Where has this truck been all along?

• 

  Wasted Money - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Greg Ocoa - February 6 - 6:09 pm

  I own a 2004 H2 that has had numerous quality issues - the starter, both mirrors, significant rust on the bumpers, speedometer issues, rear latch issues, water leak issues and the list goes on. I drive the majority of highway miles. Hummer has showed little care or concern for my ongoing issues. I will not buy another GM product, EVER!!

• 

  THE BOMB - 2004 Hummer H2
  By cheryl rabah - February 1 - 2:00 am

  i love everything about this vehicle,including the gas milage-cant afford- dont buy it.-this vehicle seperates the big dogs-from the little ones- i am proud to drive the hummer-

• 

  My H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Steve Gray - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Please dont buy one! I like being different.

• 

  Car has inordinate amount of rust - 2003 Hummer H2
  By leone7 - January 30 - 5:04 am

  Car is rusted underneath the car including brake discs, side steps and even inside where rear seat attaches. I have had the car a little over three years. I do not take it off road. I am older and do not have pets or kids in the car. The air pressure device that helps opens the rear hatch broke and the door fell on my head. The plastic rear handle fell off ($500), the interior plastic panel on the door fell off. Last year the windshield wiper motor froze and not from the weather ($600) I like the car and would get another except for all the rust. They had a hard time putting new brakes on because of it.

• 

  I Love My H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By walc - January 24 - 8:10 am

  After a week of driving, Im really glad I bought an H3. Dont believe anything you hear about lack of acceleration or a cramped back seat. I say, "compared to what" - a Corvette or a streach limo? Visibility is somewhat limited. During a mild trail ride, I dented my rear bumper when I backed into a tree stump. I should have gotten out and checked before backing. The good news is it took my body shop less than a hour to replace the bumper. They said it was a very well-planned design and they only had to remove 3 bolts to take off the bumper. Total cost was $400.