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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  A Fun Vehicle - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Marty G - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a yellow H2 at the end of 2002 for the vehicle look and the fun I was told that it was. My wife hated this color and wasnt perticully interested in the Hummer. The first snow I went out with my wife and friends,she was won over quickly. The safety, and ride were a big plus for her. I think it is really a great deal of fun to drive. The ONLY negative is the poor gas miliage but the safety, fun, and ride more then make up for the loss in miliage.

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  Whats a review title? - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Trebor Leeks - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Not nearly as luxurious as the Lincoln Navigator, but much sportier and fun to drive. Nearly impossible to keep clean as there are more nooks and crannies than any auto should have - let alone a off road vehicle.

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  Dirt Hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Yankeemike - August 16 - 9:06 am

  Got my H3 in Sept, went to Western Colorado and Moab Utah. Took out back seat to allow sleeping in back (getting old,dont like the ground any more, pitching a tent takes too long) Yes needs flat floor and about 4 more inches. Climbed everything, I Have off road package,( 5 spd)did need low range, didnt have to lock up the rear axel.Used the locker ounce at Moab, nothing too challenging as I dont have the nerf bars on yet. Gears are whinny in low range, the hold back feature on down hills is great, saves brakes. MPG on Hwy 17-18.5 in town 18-19!! Needs something up front to cut wind improve aeros. Door seals keep dust out, but allow it inside doors,pain to clean. needs 25 more HP.

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  10 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By zoobat - August 16 - 2:00 am

  hot car its probaly my favorite car as of the time being. I advise anyone to get this car

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  Dont forget the Gas - 2003 Hummer H2
  By H2ER - August 10 - 2:00 am

  This thing is cool and everybody looks as you drive by but dear God does it drink gas!!!! I realize that this isnt a huge revelation but its even worse then I expected. Pulling a 19 foot boat I got 5 MPG and I average no better then 10!!!

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  SUV that actually goes off road - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Hunter Executive - August 8 - 5:23 pm

  This is an SUV made for outdoors enthusiast not soccer moms. If you are a hunter, camper, hiker, etc., you will greatly appreciate the real value of this vehicle. If you really need a station wagon that is good on the road when it snows, you will be better served with a BMW X5/Lexus GX470, which are fine autos. Edmunds, knocks the H3 for cargo space, acceleration and towing capacity. The towing gripe is lagit (4500 lbs), but the acceleration is quite good especially 0-50. You only notice the power slump 50-80 when passing, but it is NOT bad and you will appreciate the improved mpg. As far as cargo space goes it is actually one of the best? Compared to a Touareg, BMW, etc. it is HUGE.

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  fun fun fun - 2003 Hummer H1
  By lis - August 5 - 2:00 am

  We have had the vehicle only a few weeks,but we have been having a great time.I would not like to drive very long distances,but for short to medium,its great fun,and the build quality seems fine,and it has plenty of cabin space.We have H2 not H1

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  Just ok...... - 2006 Hummer H3
  By W.E. Scott - August 4 - 4:00 pm

  We ordered the vehicle in Feb 05. After months of anticipation, we finally receievd in June 05. Nice fit and finish. Vehicle runs and drives out ok. However, the 5 cylinder engine is anemic and the vehicle is severely underpowered. In addition, while GM was offering lots of incentives on all other GM vehicles, MSRP was the best we could do on this one. Since the lux-H2 is being offered at $49k with the employee discount/incentives program, it is a much better value for the money.

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  the good,bad and cosmetically challenged - 2003 Hummer H2
  By kiev1 - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I have the sunroof as an option. It rattles at high speeds with highway driving. It is a big sunroof, which is good but it seems to lack proper reinforcement and strength. The warranty packages are horribly overpriced.

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  Hummer2 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By pericowest - August 3 - 2:00 am

  One of the best vehicles I have owned in 50+ years.I have been of road, freeway, everywhere with this gem. The only negative we get is the occasional "bird" from the Greens and Tree Huggers in the Northwest.