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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  The Best off-road veh. GM has ever made - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Jim Stamper - September 12 - 6:46 pm

  This Hummer is fun to drive. Turning is a breeze on and off-road. I also love the interior - clean & simple. I also think GM has produced the best 4x4 in its entire history with this one...

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  A Great Ride - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Jo Brewer - September 2 - 5:13 am

  You wont regret purchasing this. Plenty of room. The pickup speed is not the greatest but what do you expect from a 5 cylinder. Have owned a year with no mechanical probs whatsoever. The fuel economy is great for its size. Use it for on or off road. Thats what it is made for.

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  H3.. first impressions - 2006 Hummer H3
  By ccz - August 24 - 3:00 am

  Want a HUMMER but the cost of ownership preventing you from buying one? The H3 is a dream come true as it will provide you that genuine "HUMMER" experience at a reasonable price and it wont break the bank at the gas station either. I have owned my H3 for 6 weeks and logged about 2200 miles. I am very impressed with the H3 in every aspect except for the under powered I-5 engine but I see this as a trade off for the good gas mileage. the fit and finish of the H3 is exceptional the interior is very comfortable and roomy. the H3 has a very solid but "refined" feel on the road but off road is where the H3 truly excels as its probably one of the best "factory" stock off road vehicles ever made

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  My Review - 2006 Hummer H3
  By valpo66 - August 8 - 1:10 am

  I have had this car since July...I used to drive a convertible...this is by far the most fun vehicle I have ever owned and now I can fit my family. I LOVE MY HUMMER! Its sleek cool and a blast!!!

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  Hooaah - 2002 Hummer H1
  By James Schultz - August 2 - 2:00 am

  A wonderful buy, you cant get anything better then this if your looking for off roading. Price is iffy though. I compares relitivly nicly to the military style hmmwvs

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  The Best - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Bob - July 23 - 2:10 pm

  I have owned alot of vehicles and this is by far the best. Never have I driven anything that gives me the feeling of control on the road. The monsoon stereo is the bomb. Its definitely an attention getter everywhere I go.

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  What A Sensational SUV!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By The Galangs - July 2 - 6:03 pm

  Going from a BMW to an SUV, our expectations were very high. However, H3 showed me a different side that I have not experienced....the ride, style, features, safety, and yes its truly a "head turner". We have definitely gotten more compliments with our H3 than our other vehicles. Great Job GM!!

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  A HUMMER for everyone - 2006 Hummer H3
  By MHadden - June 9 - 3:30 am

  Ive had the chance to drive an H1 alpha and the H2, and the H3 feels just as confident as its older and larger siblings. Since it has that HUMMER name you know it is capable of treking off road without worries. While driving the H3, it was noticeably quiet, even on MI roads. I have a manual transmission, and that transmission tunnel interferes with the gas pedal with my skis I call size 12 feet. Good thing was that the engine produced enough torque where it didnt need gas to start off, just let the clutch out and it goes! Definitely feel comfortable with the higher cut doors and the slit windows, although these hinder the view beside and behind.

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  Love at First Drive - 2002 Hummer H1
  By Rhino19625 - May 24 - 2:00 am

  This is perfect for Off-roading through sand, mud and shallow water. It is comfortable, fun to drive and relaxing.

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  MY H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Andreas Moustakas - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This is an awsome SUV. If you can afford it. I would suggest it to anybody. 10 times better than the Cadillac Escalade, Ford Expedition, and the Lincoln Navigator.