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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  MOUNTAIN LEVELER - 2004 Hummer H2
  By PERAL - December 23 - 2:00 am

  WENT WITH TEAM CHEVEROLET OFF ROAD IN THE VALENCIA MOUNTAINS AND HAD THE BEST TIME EVER. THEY REALLY SHOW US WHAT THE HUMMER CAN DO, AND ITS NO SUV, ITS A MOUNTAIN LEVELER.

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  Rugged Style - 2003 Hummer H2
  By tjscott919 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  People get out of your way when driving this truck. Off road capability is outstanding, but manners to match for city driving. Gas mileage is better than I would expect as it gets similar mileage to my Ford Expedition. Overall Fun Fun Fun!

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  I love my H3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Tracy Sobel - December 18 - 10:10 pm

  I just purchased the H3 in November 05. I love just about everything about it. One thing though ... they didnt put enough interior lights especially on the visor mirror. Very happy with the way it drives. :)

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  Hummer 2 -530 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By G Harris - December 16 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I are retired and we decided to buy something fun to have and drive. We love the smooth comfortable ride, the dual temperature control. We have added some of the exterior accessories to make it more special. All of our friends just love it and so do we.

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  i love it. It is so cool. - 2004 Hummer H2
  By brandon michaels - December 13 - 10:00 am

  i love it.It has the coolest whells, nav.and radio

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  A-OK - 2001 Hummer H1
  By santocrail - December 13 - 2:00 am

  A-OK 9000 miles now, no problemos.

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  Crazy cool - 2004 Hummer H2
  By glen barnes - December 13 - 2:00 am

  The lux model has all the extras a mom would want and its engine is built for dad, so perfect "going to the mountain" drive train and comfort for family. onstar and bose are a great added feature. THe engine is undisputed the best out there.

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  Most capable SUV on the road - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Chris G - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Overall, Im quite impressed with my H2. It has a buttoned down feel on the highway and is unstoppable off- road. I highly recommend attending the "HUMMER school" in South Bend, Indiana at the AM General off-road course. My 6 year old summed it up when I first brought it home, when he said, "WOW, thats the coolest thing I ever saw"!

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  This vehicle beats anything - 2004 Hummer H1
  By Ulysses - December 10 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is absolutely the best thing anyone could ever experience either driving or riding in. Its smooth and very intimidating on the road. The off-road capabilities are are amazing. You could tow a Range Rover or Land Rover out of its stuck possition on the trail.

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  unreal - 2004 Hummer H2
  By juneyer - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I love it. 18000 miles and not a single problem!!!!!!!