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 Hummer H2:Real World Vehicle FUN! - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Vince Sansevere - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Having owned several higher end GM SUVs in the past,the H2 out performs and out ranks them all.From around town deliveries & errands,to hauling my Guitar gear to local and distant gigs,and then into the upper hills and off road access areas of Connecticut- the H2 simply performs on a level that the other so-called SUVs just wish they were capable of.The H2 is a REAL Truck/SUV.

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  real hummer review - 2004 Hummer H2
  By beamerh2 - December 27 - 2:00 am

  gas consuption aside the new h2 deliverers everything it looks like it should, there is no doubt you will never ever fell like you will be stranded anywhere rain nor sleet nor snow.......well you know how it goes and you will never say to you spouse "this guy is driving up my but" because you wont be able to see him anyway!! everyone wants to look in and drive it ,i have 5 other domestics ranging from LS1 powered trans am convertable to Northstar powered Caddy i walk pasted all of them to drive my big white toy.

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  owner - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Ingrid Little - December 24 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle performs to specifications. The dealerships invite you to events to make sure you know how to use the features to cause the vehicle to off road safely. Ability to perform 360 in small space.

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  MOUNTAIN LEVELER - 2004 Hummer H2
  By PERAL - December 23 - 2:00 am

  WENT WITH TEAM CHEVEROLET OFF ROAD IN THE VALENCIA MOUNTAINS AND HAD THE BEST TIME EVER. THEY REALLY SHOW US WHAT THE HUMMER CAN DO, AND ITS NO SUV, ITS A MOUNTAIN LEVELER.

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  Rugged Style - 2003 Hummer H2
  By tjscott919 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  People get out of your way when driving this truck. Off road capability is outstanding, but manners to match for city driving. Gas mileage is better than I would expect as it gets similar mileage to my Ford Expedition. Overall Fun Fun Fun!

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  Kens choice - 2003 Hummer H2
  By kwilli9123 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  i traded in my 00 navigator for it. with the exception of lack of interior roominess, 9 months and 10k miles later, im still satisfied with my choice. as far as fuel consumption goes, i find it comparable to the other suvs ive owned. i find the handling and performace of my yellow 03 h-2 to be most satisfying. and the best part is, my wife loves it!

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  I love my H3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Tracy Sobel - December 18 - 10:10 pm

  I just purchased the H3 in November 05. I love just about everything about it. One thing though ... they didnt put enough interior lights especially on the visor mirror. Very happy with the way it drives. :)

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  Hummer 2 -530 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By G Harris - December 16 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I are retired and we decided to buy something fun to have and drive. We love the smooth comfortable ride, the dual temperature control. We have added some of the exterior accessories to make it more special. All of our friends just love it and so do we.

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  i love it. It is so cool. - 2004 Hummer H2
  By brandon michaels - December 13 - 10:00 am

  i love it.It has the coolest whells, nav.and radio

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  A-OK - 2001 Hummer H1
  By santocrail - December 13 - 2:00 am

  A-OK 9000 miles now, no problemos.