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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  Blizzard Beater - 2007 Hummer H3
  By COL Rhino - April 10 - 12:37 pm

  We bought our 07, base, black over black, 5 cylinder engine, auto transmission, H3 Hummer, used with 32,900 miles on it. This baby is a real blizzard beater. We bought it during the second blizzard of 2010 in the Washington, DC area. Absolutely a great choice for us. Nothing stopped it. Looks great, dependable and runs great too with a comfortable ride, reasonable power for both in-town and highway driving and the Onstar and onboard telephone service is really useful. We are definitely ready for next winters snow. Meanwhile, we are enjoying the Spring and Summer months. The A/C has kept me cool in unexpected Springtime 96 degree temps, while sitting in rush hour traffic. Grrrreat!

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  Hate to See the H3 Go ! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By robertHummer - April 9 - 9:47 pm

  After 3 years and 50k miles, the lease is up. Hummer was a trip to own. No major problems . I would say the windows are too small and going to a "drive through" is torturous. I have to contort myself to get to the bank teller or McDonalds window. Overall H3 was slightly underpowered. The interior space seamed cramped. I dont think they designed the 07 with BIG PEOPLE in mind. I was uncomfortable . I enjoyed the response of people who were excited by its design. Comfort in a car is most important. It is a magnet for people though. I felt luxury from others but it lacked comfort from its design. I hope they improve.I wish Hummer Well!

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  Man Truck of the Year! - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By Dennis - April 9 - 9:05 pm

  Just bought it, but from what Ive experienced so far, there is not another truck in its class on the planet that can even come close. The power, maneuverability, and rugged good looks commands excitement and frankly titillates both men and women alike.

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  African H3 - Everybodies dream car - 2008 Hummer H3
  By H3 African Component - March 26 - 12:20 am

  I love this car, SUV, truck, transporter or call it what you like. The only negative comments I ever get is from somebody that does not drive one. My wife and my 2 kids love the HUMMER. Out here in South Africa we have a lot of trails, bush and off road areas and we just wish we had more time to track them all. It parks easy, drive comfy and attracts attention

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  The fun has begun! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Sam - March 18 - 10:01 am

  Like everyone else, I loved the looks of the HUMMER and have always wanted one. I joked with my wife one day on the way up the mountain for some weekend snowboarding and a few days later she asked me to seriously look for one! The only negative reviews I read about them were for the large depreciation in value the first few years, but there arent many vehicles that keep their value, so I looked for my new 2005 H2 that has every option imaginable. The comfort is bar-none, the turn radius will make your MG Midget shudder, the looks you get are priceless (half disgust & envy), and I get better gas mileage now (16 mpg) than I did in my 2003 Dodge 2500 quad cab hemi i traded in. We love it!

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  Love my mellow yellow! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By cachito2 - February 26 - 5:44 pm

  Fell in love with it the moment i saw online that it was being built. Ordered ours early and got the bright yellow in October 2005. Has always been a head turner even to this day. Lux package so the interior looks great and has been durable, great leg room, nice big sunroof and great stance overall. Been on quite a few long trips Fla & SCar, etc. except for a few minor issues, knock on wood has been reliable overall. We live in upstate NY so get alot of snow, since yesterday got 30 inches, my car left me stranded last night, wife rescued came to my resuce, i was in total awe how our h3 went through the snow, was really proud and reminded why got it in the first place..luv it!

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  HUMMER Family - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Doug R - February 25 - 6:39 pm

  We liked the 2007 HUMMER so much we bought a second HUMMER in 2009. Now my wife and I each have one to drive. We love the security, safety and comfort of the ride the H3 provides.

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  king of the road - 2009 Hummer H2
  By ferrari man - February 21 - 7:51 am

  i had 2005 hummer h2 , and updated style with engine and transmission and steering upgrade on 2009 is nite and day over old one . this truck drives so smooth and quite that i wouldnt drive any other truck . so go out and buy 2008 or 2009 h2 because i dont think hummer will make 2010 hummer h2 any longer .

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  Great Little SUV - 2006 Hummer H3
  By CAWillie - February 2 - 9:09 am

  Bought our H3 in July 2006. Have both loved and hated it at times. It is flawless in snow and mud..goes anywhere you want. While it has been dependable, it has also been irritating at times. The passenger compartment is too cramped. It is a fight to get my arm between the seat and the door to adjust the seat. The heated seat buttons are hard to reach on bottom of seat. It would have been so much better to have them on the dash. A baby seat behind my wifes seat barely leaves her enough room to be comfortable, knees on dash. Despite negative comments, we both still like it. We have rescued stranded friends and pulled tree stumps out of yards with no problems. We would buy it again.

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  I Like This Vehicle - 2009 Hummer H3
  By Hemato - January 27 - 8:50 am

  With V8 it performs very well as a beast defeating I Think all its competitor in its category it has solid built Also its not that bad in fuel economy it depend in how you drive it and its better than allot of off road vehicles in fuel economy it has standard quality appearance of interior which I prefer it simple and solid I like this car its all I need