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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  Killer Hummer H-2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By gary datta - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have the best experience of owning Hummer H-2. I had Mereceds ML350 and Land Rover. Ml-350 was worst. It had lots of mechanical problems. It was lacking power. Land rover had lots of electrical problems. I didnt have to go to dealer for once for Hummer. I also own Mercedes and BMW sedans. I love my Hummer.

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  perfecto - 2005 Hummer H2
  By JJJKIKK - October 2 - 2:00 am

  perfect for driving on off road facilities

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  Terrific Hummer H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By smagee - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Tree Huggers and wimps need not apply!! Arnold and I love the Hummer H2 - except for the gas mileage. If what you are looking for is a comfortable SUV for all types of terrain the H2 is unbeatable. If you have to ask about gas mileage, dont buy one.

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  2005 H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By CDFrausto - September 19 - 2:00 am

  The H2 drives and handles like large luxury sports car. The interior is user friendly and has all the creature comforts you could want as a driver. The turning radius is phenomenal for such a large vehicle. I could best describe this as a hippo ballerina, its large, but graceful.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Mudder - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck and really fun to drive. If you are looking for a commanding view of the road, uumatched off-road capabilities and way cool exterior appearance, this is the truck for you. The SUT is really great looking and now I want one of those too.

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  2nd H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Wj - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I drove an 03 H2 for two years and loved it. Just traded for an 05 and already expect the same great and fun performance. Have owned several Suburbans and a couple of Lexus SUVs and the H2 is just as comfortable and for sure more fun to drive......

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  Cool Vehicle - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Max Eitelman - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I have totally enjoyed owning a Hummer. It is a vehicle that turns heads. The styling is so cool, Im known as the guy with the Hummer by my kids friends. This vehicle does use a lot of gas, it has to with all of the capabilities. It will go through anything and tow anything. It does so much that I would highly recommend reading the owners manual from cover to cover. This is THE capability vehicle, Id reccomend it to anyone living in remote areas of the US.

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  Great SUV, if youre single - 2006 Hummer H3
  By bradoh3 - August 19 - 2:36 pm

  The H3 is eye catching. It has a large sunroof, big step in height, and the Hummer lines. I think GM has created an excellent SUV to compete against itself. Much better than Trailblazer/Envoy/Rainer SUVs in handling and quality construction. However, this is no Lexus.The H3 is not designed well for families with kids. 3 cup holders and no place for sunglasses.I would think $38,000 would buy a little more. Drivers info center (nope), large center console (nope), easy to reach window and seat controls (nope). For people without kids or as a second vehicle it is very fun to drive, feels safe, and is smooth even with 33inch wheels/tires.Of course I still love my H3, even with its shortcomings

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  Almost but not quite! - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Thomas T. - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I actually decided not to buy a 2003 sage green H2 with the fully loaded Adventure Package due to the interior. The dashboard looks great but is completely made of cheap, toy like plastic. Very hollow and easily cracked. The headliner (w/sunroof option) is way too flimsy. Power from the engine was okay; I didnt expect the same performance as my 4.7L Grand Cherokee. The stereo system does not sound very good at all. Theres absolutely no front soundstage. Dont know why the tweeters on the A-pillar are aimed directly at each other!

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  Great vechile but drinks gas - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Petes mom - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I saw a Hummer at a dealership and knew I had to have one. Fun car to drive. It definately gets peoples attention. Kids love it too, when you drive by they stare, wave and want you to blow the horn! My only complaints are the stupid spare tire in the back, you cant see anything with it there (I already hit a post) and the way it sucks down the gas (its like me with beer=)!) Other than that its a really fun (but pricey) toy to play with! I say if you can afford it go out and get one!! Wait, what am I saying?! I enjoy having a "unique" vechile. Stay safe.