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 H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Sandra Gail - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I can go where most dont

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  great ride - 2006 Hummer H3
  By K.P. - January 13 - 7:16 pm

  This SUV is fun to drive. My wife prefers it on the road to her Envoy. Took it from Texas to Colorado and back and got 19.5 mpg using premium gas in the Rockies. No problem getting over the passes. Great fun on back country roads.

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  The Best suv on the road!! - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Canaffordit - January 8 - 2:00 am

  For the record its not an economy car,if you cant get past that then maybe you need to go down to your local honda showroom and buy a hybrid. its the most inspiring truck ive ever seen! and the most capable offroad vehicle ive ever driven(with proper training of course)it truly puts "sport" into SUV.Anything else is a station wagon!!

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  Just had it 10 days & lovin it! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Phil Mitchell - January 7 - 3:40 pm

  Just had a yellow H3 for 10 days but just love it! Never had a vehicle that caused so much stir. Everyone comments and loves it. Comfortable, stable, decent mileage, excellent equipment, great quality, and fun. Cant wait for it to snow! Would def. recommend. My daughter has a Mercedes SLK and wants to drive the Hummer! It must be cool.

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  Awesome! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Leslie Rink - January 4 - 11:10 pm

  We just purchased our new 2006 H3 and we absolutely love it! Its a blast to drive. Very plush interior. All of the bells or whistles you could want. Smooth driving, peppy engine and great brakes. Responds well. Great visibility with large side mirrors I think the third time is a charm for the H3. The price is just right. Great for around town comfort. Seating for five. Secure feeling drive. A must have for the offroad enthusiast who loves all of the Hummer qualities. Simple stated, "We love our Hummer" We have always wanted one and now we can afford to have one. Take one out for a test drive and see for yourself!

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  Nice - 2004 Hummer H1
  By Dide - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Awesome Vehicle to drive.

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  4get the neg. reviews this is THE SUV !! - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Summerlin SUV LUVR - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive had it for only a couple of months and absolutely love this vehicle!!! Cmon its 3 tons of fun and people are expecting the gas mileage of a Honda Civic? The majority of us will agree, this wasnt bought to save gas.The stare I get are just ego-satisfying. I had mine slightly customized. Deep Purple Metallic Pearl with a chrome emblem kit. The wheels are basic. I scrapped them for custom 24" chrome shoes.

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  The Hummer H2:Real World Vehicle FUN! - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Vince Sansevere - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Having owned several higher end GM SUVs in the past,the H2 out performs and out ranks them all.From around town deliveries & errands,to hauling my Guitar gear to local and distant gigs,and then into the upper hills and off road access areas of Connecticut- the H2 simply performs on a level that the other so-called SUVs just wish they were capable of.The H2 is a REAL Truck/SUV.

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  real hummer review - 2004 Hummer H2
  By beamerh2 - December 27 - 2:00 am

  gas consuption aside the new h2 deliverers everything it looks like it should, there is no doubt you will never ever fell like you will be stranded anywhere rain nor sleet nor snow.......well you know how it goes and you will never say to you spouse "this guy is driving up my but" because you wont be able to see him anyway!! everyone wants to look in and drive it ,i have 5 other domestics ranging from LS1 powered trans am convertable to Northstar powered Caddy i walk pasted all of them to drive my big white toy.

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  owner - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Ingrid Little - December 24 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle performs to specifications. The dealerships invite you to events to make sure you know how to use the features to cause the vehicle to off road safely. Ability to perform 360 in small space.