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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  Great Truck - 2003 Hummer H2
  By ceads - June 26 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE IT. Ive had a Eddie Bauer EXP, Honda Pilot, 2x Explorers and this is the best Ive ever owned. Ive owned over 30 cars and is is one of the best all around. Its just not for looks ,it is a very good truck. The Honda was in the Shop 4x the H2 "0". The Mileage is only about .5 under my Ford and the same in town . Rides better than any of the others, GETS THE LOOKS every where we go . I have the DVD system and its better than my Hondas. Im glad i traded the PILOT EX for the H2

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  Buying Another - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Kdefinis2 - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I love it so much, buying the 2005 SUT in 2004.

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  H2 REVIEW,2004 LUX SERIES. - 2004 Hummer H2
  By TANKE - June 8 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THE TRUCK!!! BIG ATTENTION GETTER,GETS COMMENTS EVERYWERE I GO. LOTS OF ROOM.PLENTY POWER FOR A TRUCK THIS SIZE.

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  A True Leader In SUV - 2004 Hummer H2
  By James H Ortiz - June 7 - 10:00 am

  The H2 is one of the best SUV on the road to date. I love the throttle control in heavy and light traffic. The look speaks for its self tough! The size well I am from TX so it fits. Controls at your fingure tips. I just love the H2 and will say one of the best for the buck.

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  My review - 2004 Hummer H1
  By HazardMaster - June 6 - 2:00 am

  its power is great

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  Hummer - 2004 Hummer H1
  By havenblue - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Very fun to drive - will go almost any where. Got it stuck the first week I owned it but a great winch

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  New Hummer Owner - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Kenny B - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Just bought it...unbelievable fun as compared with my other SUVs (I have 4 others). Seems very tight and handles well for the size. I live in Montana where we actually do serious off- roading. This one seems up to the task.

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  Killer on Gas - 2006 Hummer H3
  By tommie N J - May 24 - 7:43 am

  Own it now about 8 months, looks great, nice ride, great sound system as long as its just using CDs and this is the optional system, 1,100 dollars !!! I cant understand the folks here getting 20 + miles per gallon On the Hi- way Im lucky in getting 16 mpg . My lease is up in 2 1/2 yrs. thank GOD Only thing i can say it that it does ride nice and looks great interior has some issues, IF youre looking to purchase one remember gas will be about $3.75 by the end on the summer

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  Beast from the Middle East - 2001 Hummer H1
  By Jawad - May 21 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle. If you rate less than a 10, then you dont understand the capabilities of this truck

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  Great vehicle for long trips & off-road - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Maratha - May 13 - 2:00 am

  PART-I Good handling for size and weight, good acceleration (but dont expect an M5 like 0-60) for merging and changing lanes, very comfortable interior (ergonomically correct and easy to use). Friends and strangers alike, who had a negative opinion about Hummer brand name, like it after close inspection and ride. Fuel economy: 11.2 mpg (10 in the city and 12 on freeways) Comfortable long drives. The high stance offers unparalleled views on the freeways and bridges. The structure offers a very secure feel while driving. Wind noise is nil till ~75-80 mph. No significant blind spots (even with the huge spare tire!).