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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  Average Truck - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Chaser7 - October 16 - 7:06 pm

  Car is just average, many improvements needed although I am die hard GM, this truck could have been much better, also needs better leg room, had a white color and small rust spots all over i noticed after first time washing, the back wheel wells spray water into the back seat through the small crack in between the door and body

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  H3X ALPHA - 2008 Hummer H3
  By EGK - October 11 - 10:38 am

  This is a loaded 2008 H3X Alpha. My wife shopped all the current updated SUVs - Mazda CX9, Acadia/Enclave, Mountaineer (weve leased five of these in a row). She also decided to look at HUMMER. The dealer let us use a 2007 H3 for a weekend - and she was sold. We also waited to test the H3 Alpha - and that did the trick. The V8 is much smoother, better acceleration and the ride and comfort are excellent. Its still a truck - so dont think it will ride like the other SUVs. But thats part of the reason to buy a HUMMER to begin with. This is one sweet ride. Its too new to assess gas mileage, but again, we know its not a 23MPG vehicle. Put an H3 on your short list!

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  Cool But Beware! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By rayenet - September 30 - 4:53 pm

  I just got my new H3 and absolutely love its looks and price, but Ive got an issue with the suspension. When I drive on the highway and go over larger bumps and uneven surfaces, the steering wheel jerks abruptly and the vehicle swerves and wobbles. Its worse when it happens while Im changing lanes or in the middle of a turn. It feels as if Im going to lose control and the vehicle is going to flip over. Im really concerned about how it will handle on twisty snow covered mountain roads, even with the Stabilitrak.

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  Awesome off-road capabilty - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Kevin - September 18 - 7:10 am

  Off road capabilities rivalled only by the H1 and some high end Rovers (maybe). Head turner. Acceleration wasnt as bad as expected for a Hummer, yet torque/towing capability needs to be enhanced (225/4500lb rating). Need to have optional seating for six or maybe even 7. Gas mileage is better than our Explorer.

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  Still Adjusting - 2007 Hummer H3
  By John S. - September 4 - 11:30 am

  I just picked up an H3 black tactical edition. So far the truck has been great. It has been a slow adjustment from my Audi A4. I realize how much I miss certain features. Obviously gas mileage is terrible but I knew that when I bought it. I have been changing the minds of many anti-hummer folks. My project this weekend is to install a DICE IPOD adapter. Ride quality on city roads is much better that expected. Even though the sunroof is great, one like the BMW X3 or Audi Q7 would be unbelievable. Again, I am beign a little harsh as I have become acustom to features not avaiable on the H3. Otherwise, buy one over any other GM SUV.

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  Outstanding - 2007 Hummer H2
  By Shant - August 10 - 2:00 pm

  The driving is great and since the car is yellow everybody has to look when I come. Some sports cars always try racing me since I have to Borla exhaust on. If you hear my car coming from far away you will think it’s a muscle car. The car is great and it still hasn’t given me any problems. I have a neighbor who has 3 of these Hummers and none of them have given him any problems

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  h2 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By toyota man - August 8 - 10:00 am

  The H2 is a fun, cool vehicle to drive if you like attention and one of the biggest vehicle on the road. Lot of interior room, except in thrid row seat. Power is ample and diesel sould be an option. Make one fit somehow. Has some blind spots. Great for road trips, hard to park in small spaces.

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  Not Bad - 2007 Hummer H3
  By ENG - August 2 - 8:00 am

  We looked at several SUV models before considering the H-3 We have been Yukon buyers the last 3 times and after our last Yukon, we decided enough was enough. The H-3 has a very solid feel without the tippy feeling. It lacks on tow ability and power but the style and comfort make up for it. It lacks gages and the stereo leaves a bit to be desired. XM is not an option on the 07 but is standard on the 08. You will average about 16 to 19 MPG on the highway if youre lucky, around town is about 14-15. All in all the price and style makes it a great value. If you want a tow brute, look elsewhere.

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  Climb Mt. Everest in Style - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Dave Lander - July 31 - 11:51 pm

  If you like a vehicle that is bold, fun to drive and a absolute monster off road go no further. I purchased a white Hummer H3 with the off road package and it has not dissappointed. You get the best of both worlds, you can take it out and punish it off road in the morning then take it to a 5 star dinner that evening. The Hummer drives very good on road with a amaizinly tight turning radius. Before I bought this vehicle I had my heart set on a Jeep but after test driving I changed my mind. If you are looking for a vehicle that will go and do just about anything at a competitive price look no further.

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  Room for improvement - 2006 Hummer H3
  By p - June 4 - 10:53 pm

  Although exciting behind the wheel, great looks and comfort, the biggest disappointment is engine performance. The power lags tremendously and is far less responsive than what would be expected from any HUMMER. This shortfall is impractical for on-road driving conditions (e.g. city traffic) and therefore lessons the H3s appeal.