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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  H2 Hummer - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Tom Friars - August 17 - 6:18 pm

  Excelent, Great ride, fit and finish excellent, performace great, Not that bad even on the gasoline, I have been averaging about 12 MPG, not bad.

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  Mudding - 2005 Hummer H2
  By H2 - August 16 - 2:26 pm

  I like the feel of secureness. Being able to go over and trhough things with no problem. I enjoy going mudding. It handles so well. Very comfortable to travel in. I have put over 20,000 miles in less than 6 months. Its worth it

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  I love our Hummer - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Robert mulhern Jr - August 14 - 10:00 am

  It has proven to be everything I expected it to be-fun to drive, attention getting, and very hot sitting in my driveway!!

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  Hummer H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Jeff Hasbrouck - August 9 - 8:04 pm

  Great to drive. Awesome turn radius. Smooth suspension (equipped with air suspension), full time 4X4 and a very comfortable and roomy interior. Very happy with my purchase.

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  Baby hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Mari - August 9 - 6:16 am

  I had my "baby" hummer as many people refer to it since September, and i really like it. Its a real attention grabber, so get used to it. As far as power goes i dont feel it is sluggish when accelerating, the sunroof is great, very large the only problem is the visibility especially when backing up, Also i have the adventure package and there is quite a lot of noise in the vehicle when driving on the highway. i wonder if it is because of the huge 200 lb tires. Oh well i still love my "baby Hummer.

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  LOVE mY H2 - 2006 Hummer H2
  By jockboy570 - August 6 - 1:13 am

  Ive owned many different cars and SUVs from BMW 7 series, Range Rover 4.6 HSE and driven a Ford Excursion. The hummer beats them all hands down. No worries about the gas mileage, Excursion got worse than the Hummer. I avg 11mpg and if youre paying $60K for a vehicle whats another $20 per month in gas. No problems at all after 1st year of ownership.

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  New Toy - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Bigdog - July 30 - 10:41 am

  This was a purchase that was a dream three years ago... before gas prices went through the roof! Other than the need for a fuel tanker following you the SUV is everything you would want in a new vehicle. Comes with every bell and whistle you would want! From my driving experience it is a dependable auto that takes a few days of driving to get use to the front view difference. There is a blind spot on the car however and this could become an issue if your not carful! Anyway great unit to drive and if something changes I will add something else. I have only had the car for three weeks!

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  $11K rebate - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Boxster-S - July 26 - 10:24 pm

  With that GM Employee Discount we could not pass up this vehicle. We intended to consider the H3 but had the good fortune of also driving the H2. Entirely different vehicle! As much as I liked the H2 my wife and two sons absolutely love it. It continues to grow on me. We cannot wait to take it off roading, towing our Ricon and then there is the snow that is dumped on us here. :)

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  Love it! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Truman - July 19 - 10:00 pm

  Ive never had an off-road (or any other) SUV, and the H2 drives like the best car Ive ever owned! Im only getting 10-13 mpg, so I would like to know how others are getting up to 20. Of course, I also love the attention everywhere I drive, too.

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  The H2 - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Josh Lunsford - July 19 - 10:51 am

  I love the H2 I am only 16 years old and I love it. I can take it off- roading when I want or I can have a nice ride around town in luxury. It will turn heads. It is the best vehicle I have ever had.