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 H3 is the Best SUV Ever - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Terrance Toomey - December 31 - 8:33 pm

  Despite the complaints about the small engion, the gearing on the thing is brilliant. Living in Colorado I need the power for the mountains, and it has no trouble delivering. It handles like sports car, and rides like the living room couch.

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  Worth the Price & Wait - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Jim1OZ - December 9 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the best performing and looking SUV on & off the road. Awesome off road performance leaves Jeeps, Land Rovers and the ugly "G" in the dust. If you dont intend to take it off road (often) go buy something else because youll be complaining about the fuel economy, sluggish acceleration and other whiney stuff which are minor details for a true off roader.

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  Fun Ride - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Big Dog - December 9 - 8:06 am

  This is a go anywhere, over anything, fun ride. 20 mpg on the road. Heads turn when you roll down the road. Get one you will love it!

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  Fabulous Drive - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Bob - October 26 - 8:20 am

  Fabulous drive. I have never had a vehicle that let me feel so much control just by its handling capabilities. Would highly recomend the adventure package and the monsoon stereo system.

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  Ten jeeps later - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Jimmy C Jones - October 23 - 10:03 pm

  After owning 5 new Jeep GrandS The new 2006 just looked to much like a van sorry I wanted a four wheel dive not a van! I looked at all of the big names, but they all looked the a same van van ect. last but not least the H3 True love at first drive! Why! ride fit and looks. Point it were you want to go and you will be there! Down side? Backing takes about the day or a week to get use to, Driver side controls a litte hard to find but no big deal. The ride says I CAN DO IT! An the H3 is the one to do it! My first trip was 800 miles, 19 miles to gal. Looks to many to be true! If you do not want to be seen do not buy! Onstar is great , for the real thing at great price just drive a new H3

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  Lots of fun - 2005 Hummer H2
  By calvinthedog - September 5 - 10:00 am

  great suv for the family

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  Very Satisfied - 2006 Hummer H3
  By mewtwo - August 3 - 12:13 pm

  My H3 has proven to be an awesome car/truck. It carries everything easily - surfboards, dogs, and people. I dont worry about scratching a thing since most of the interior is plastic. Its a fun car to drive and the ride is surprisingly good - quiet, comfortable, and safe. It handles very well and has a great turning radius. Visibility is not as good as an average sedan, but then again, this is not a toyota camry, and Ive adjusted to taking an extra second to look before I change lanes. Ill be curious to see if they come out with a diesel or hybrid version given all the backlash about gas prices. Either way, Im already thinking of buying the next generation of the H3.

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  Happy with my Hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Fargo - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I am retired and live in a beach resort area and drive my Hummer only on day trips or weekend outings. It is a comfortable driving vechicle. I like the durability and feel very safe traveling in heavy traffic or congested areas. Yhe vechicle has a smooth almost gliding feeling on the highway. For the large size of the vechicle the gas mileage is good. It definately gets a lot of attention on the highway

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  HMMWV with Comfort & Style - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Bruce - July 13 - 3:23 am

  The H3 is a great looking vehicle that turns heads. Enough power for what I need it to do, easier on mileage than its big brother and it handles and negotiates as well in parking lot as my wifes Cooper.

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  H1 all the way - 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha
  By Hummer H1 Wagon - May 1 - 11:10 pm

  I have been driving H1s since 1995. I have another vehicle that I drive most of the time, but it is good to have the ultimate off-road vehicle at your disposal - knowing that in this uncertain day and age, I can go anywhere any time I want - whether to the grocery store, or in a life saving situation.