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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  Every guy luvs a hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Richard Neith - April 13 - 10:00 am

  This is a luxury SUV, I luv the Bose stereo system and the looks and comments I ghet from everywhere I go.Everyone says I have their dream car.I paid 47,995 for itnew. I have had it since Oct 2003, they offered me full value on a trade in. no depreciation.

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  Love my Hummer - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Bob M. - March 19 - 2:11 am

  This is by far my favorite vehicle that I have owned. Its fun to drive, reliable, and comfortable. Ive had Elmo off road in the snow, ice, Mud and sand and never had an issue. Im constantly looking for a reason to take it off road. Weve had it down the beach in Corolla Outer Banks to see the Mustangs. Up the mountain to go hunting and shooting. I cant say anything bad at all. I wish they would start making them again!

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  Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Kelly - March 11 - 8:43 pm

  200% recommend!!! This has been the best vehicle Ive ever purchased! Has gone through snow like no other vehicle Ive owned! Love it!

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  Impressed - 2003 Hummer H2
  By sbe - February 26 - 2:00 am

  After reading many reviews, i was surprised to find th A/C and stereo work great. Have logged over 2,000 miles in last 12 days, and find the comfort and drivability amazing. It gets a lot of attention from all age groups. EVERYONE that said I was crazy for buying a Hummer has changed their opinion. It is simply the most fun I have ever had driving anything. The gas is a drag, but it comes with the territory. It is VERY quiet considering it has such large aggressive tires and the aerodynamics of a shoe box.

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  H3 REVIEW - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Melanz - February 18 - 7:53 pm

  This is the best 4x4 I have. I have 4runner but I enjoyed and feel safe driving this car. MPG is great. Quiet and nice ride too. I like the exterior and the big tire. Interior looks beautiful also.

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  Happy H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By jf - February 4 - 10:00 am

  great vehicle but expect town car mileage--11mpg

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  Awesome Hummer, not for the tree huggers - 2004 Hummer H2
  By ChadMumford - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I love this great truck,lots of head turning looks,obviously not great gas mileage but it weights 8600 lbs,what do you expect? No problems so far with the vehicle, has a great Bose sound system! Gotta have it in yellow! Only thing I would change would be some of the plastic feeling interior trim... Great truck! But not for the Tree Huggers!!

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  Give me a HUMMER H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Jynelle Sass - January 24 - 5:23 pm

  Our family loves it. Great SUV and the extra accessories/packages are worth adding to the vehicle.

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  Best Hummer Yet - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Ben Chambers - January 18 - 9:43 pm

  Ive always wanted a Hummer ever since the H1s came out. I got my H3 as a gift and just love it. The ride is great, smooth, and very un truck-like. The inside was very carefully thought out and it shows. Everything about it is great, except the gas mileage, but its what you would expect with a Hummer. Something else great about it, the price will not kill you. Its a great vehicle.

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  Love my H3! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By ch - January 13 - 1:26 am

  I love the H3 styling inside and out. Also the great ride/handling. I am amazed by all the Auto journalists bashing the H3 as underpowered -- arent these the same journalists who screamed about the terrible mileage of the H2?!? So Hummer makes a mid-size model that gets decent mileage for the segment, and now its underpowered? The H3 has adequate power - not too much, not too little. And decent mileage, especially considering its capabilities. In the real world, that is your tradeoff. It is very maneuverable and gives a commanding view and feel for the road. One of the most fun-to-drive vehicles I have ever owned. Im actually looking forward to Winter now.