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:

• 

  12:30om - 2004 Hummer H2
  By crypticink - March 2 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun truck on the market. It can go through 2 feet of snow as well as it goes on dry road. It is quality through and through.

• 

  I love my Hummer - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Wilton Lash - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I love love my Hummer. The Hummer needs more horse power for passing. The spare tire inside or out side the car gives poor visibility. The air suspension gives a superb ride.

• 

  Love this monster - 2004 Hummer H1
  By Romanpower - February 29 - 2:00 am

  Not for everyone, only for those who willing to have fun! This is my 2nd one, I love it now as I loved the day I bought it! The most experienced sales person reference the H! is Silvia Hare, Huntington Beach Hummer, ask her questions, she know all about the product.

• 

  different vehicle - 2004 Hummer H2
  By chesko - February 29 - 2:00 am

  fun vehicle to drive, great features and good conversation vehicle

• 

  Most Fun You Can Have - 2003 Hummer H2
  By brasberry - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Both drives and looks great. More comfortable than my tahoe and off roads better than my jeep. Bascially, unstopable in off road situations. Reccomend to anyone.

• 

  Biggest Mistake I ever made - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Spitfiretb - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Unmatched offroad capability, Next time Ill go by Kia.

• 

  My second H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Lumpie - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Traded my 2003 for a 2004. I have had zero problems and the vehicles are probably the most fun I have had with any vehicle. Fuel economy is low due to size and weight and I would not suggest purchase as a grocery getter or go to work vehicle, but is acceptable when used for the purpose designed.

• 

  good - 2004 Hummer H1
  By ljafta333 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  well manufactured, heaven says it all

• 

  Hummer Experience - 2004 Hummer H2
  By dealmakerdirect - February 18 - 2:00 am

  The best vehicle I have ever owned. My wife loves it so much we will become a 2 Hummer family. The mileage sucks but if you have to worry about mileage dont buy the Hummer. I feel its one of the safest vehicles on the road to protect your family,and definately one of the best built. After a period of about 5 years Im sure you will want a new vehicle but by that time there will be a bigger and better replacenent

• 

  luvs hummers - 2004 Hummer H2
  By arm - February 18 - 2:00 am

  my favorite experience was off roading and having to pull a dodge out of a little snow and mud after the dodge owner had just finisihed shooting his mouth off for about an hour about how his truck never gets stuck