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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  Wish they still made them - 2008 Hummer H3
  By warmhiker - September 14 - 2:00 am

  We bought our first H3 in 2006 and just bought another used for me in 2010. I SO wish they still made these! Most comfortable SUV out there. Absolutely love the drive and I dont get run off the road out here in TX! Only complaint is takes forever when you step on the gas, but put in a shot of Gumout fuel injector cleaner, and gave me a little more umph! Despite be the best vehicle Ive ever owned (out of 10!), if you get a chance, get the extended warranty. After 4 yrs., the security system and engine coil had to be replaced ($1200), but thats about it. If they still made these things wed get another. Wish someone would buy Hummer and keep in American!

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  built solid - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By My Tonka Truck - September 12 - 2:00 am

  recently bumped on side of truck by female driving a matrix. damage to matrix- front bumper completely pulled off of car. damage to hummer h3t- nothing that a little rubbing compound couldnt remove completely. i couldnt believe it. i wish i would have taken a picture of the other car.

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  Best Looking SUV Out There! - 2008 Hummer H3
  By H3 Owner - August 5 - 2:44 am

  Just bought my H3 luxury with 40,000 miles. I love the exterior and interior design. The engine is only a 3.7 and its a little underpowered but its not TOO bad. I think GM should of put a bigger engine in it. The fuel economy is whats expected from a mid- size suv. Im getting about 17 mpg combined. I think the interior set-up is one of the nicest from GM. The visibility is not great but not a big issue for taller drivers. The leather is very comfortable and the sunroof is huge! The monsoon system is banging. It turns heads like crazy! I love this car and wont get rid of in until the wheels fall off!

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  Awesome SUV - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Posta - July 8 - 8:07 am

  Just bought the Hum H3 used with 50,000 km. Chrome package and moonroof make it look sharp. Dominate the lanes with this thing. Oversized tires make it look awesome.

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  Hummer - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Gus Moore - June 25 - 3:30 pm

  I bought a loaded 2008 H3 with just 30k miles and kept it just 5 weeks before trading it back into the dealership. In that 5 weeks, I had to buy a $150 battery (come to find out it was the third battery the vehicle has went through) and jump start the vehicle 4 times something that you shouldnt have to do to a $25,000 SUV. When it did actually start, I found the 5 cylinder engine woefully under- powered which would be acceptable if it got better that 14 miles per gallon (My trade-in was an 03 F150 4x4 V-8 that got that good!) The H3 looks are fantastic but as my wife "Its all show and no go". That coming from a woman who drives a 2009 Scion xb 4cyc. After 5wks, I traded.

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  2005 H-2 SUT - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Ron - May 21 - 12:02 am

  I love my h-2 sut. I use it on and off road here in Arizona. Family of 5 we have plenty of room. The kids enjoy the dvd system and the large sun roof. I like the Bose sound system and nav and just driving it. The sut can go places that most people would not even try. The h-2 has 50,000 miles on it with no problem. I added 20 wheels and all terrain tries and new shocks, exhaust. Avg fuel 12 city highway and running at 70-75.

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  MY H3T - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By JMSBYS - May 7 - 7:00 am

  This truck is a real head turner. First of all there are very few on the road so people ask all the time about it. Has as much room as my last pickup, the Dodge Ram, but is built much stronger and more torque. I love my new truck.

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  Nothing - 2006 Hummer H3
  By mariakh@nisswa.net - May 5 - 5:42 pm

  I bought on 3-17-2010 we had it for 2 weeks gas mileage is horrible, it wore one tire very bad had to go back in to check out, then one week ago the wiring harness burned up and we ended up paying for some of it, also the tire I had to pay for half of it. I personally think its a recall?

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  Nothing Comes Close - 2006 Hummer H3
  By hummerfan - May 3 - 5:08 am

  Bought the vehicle used but fell in love with it ever since I test drove it. No other SUV will give you more driving power than the Hummer. Its certainly a head turner and no doubt be ruling the lanes (if you signal and make a lane change) cars beside you will yield to you (Thats the fun part of it). Though I have had some problems with the sun roof drainage system which gets clogged when you go off road and cause a mess INSIDE the passenger side and gets it all wet. But you can clean it out easily with low pressure air blown at it. definitely an envy during the winter or winter storm season. Every vehicle gets stuck will wish to be in your ride.

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  Electrical Issues - 2004 Hummer H2
  By steveFL - April 28 - 9:43 am

  Electrical issues. AC panel does not work. Dealer replaced speedometer cluster $500+ told me that its fixed. 2weeks later ac panel not working they replaced it another $250. A week later the ac panel does not work again. So far I paid $800 out of pocket for an obvious electrical short and they replaced parts that had nothing to do with the problem.