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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  Hummer is PERFECT - 2003 Hummer H2
  By bbbb - July 19 - 2:00 am

  My Hummer is the BEST!

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  Soon to be a Classic - 2009 Hummer H3T
  By Doug Sturdivant - July 18 - 4:25 am

  This is my second Hummer. I previously had an 08 H3 and loved it but always wanted the T. Being a limited production vehicle, I finally found one I could afford as the resale prices have started to rise. Like the one before, this also is an Alpha. Same color, Solar Flair. The smoothness and power of the V8 far outweighs anything you give back on fuel mileage. Ive driven an I-5 equipped H3T and theres really no comparison. The size of the cargo bed is quite handy and really not an issue as I didnt purchase it for hauling large loads. Thats not its forte. Driving it does take some getting use though because the average truck has for more square feet of glass to look out of but when you get acclimated to the interior its quite comfortable and the setting sun, because of the short overhang of the windscreen, is never an issue. It could use more storage space and cup holders for the rear seat area. I do remember there was an insert available on my H3 for the back seat that had a cup holder in it. Dont know why that wasnt offered as standard equipment. Overall, I truly enjoy driving the truck. Chances are youll never see another one at a stoplight. And just like the first series early Broncos, these will only increase in value.

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  sweet - 2003 Hummer H2
  By fosbauc - July 18 - 2:00 am

  well mah car is well i put 26in rims on it and a supercharger on it and i can top out at 150mph i love my H2

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  hummers rule!!!!!! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By hummer man - July 15 - 10:00 am

  i love my hummer its fun to drive,great for off roading and long trips,the only down part is fuel economy

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  Hummer Love - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Hummer Love - July 12 - 10:20 am

  Have owned over 70 Vehicles, This rates up at the top 5%. As the engine breaks in it runs better all the time. It is not the Hemi engine, but I dont plan on towing anything. We have the moonsoon stereo, a must have! We have the auto, talk about handling on slick roads... WOW!

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  My Hummer - 2006 Hummer H3
  By doordonut3 - July 10 - 2:10 am

  I have enjoyed driving this vehicle more than any vehicle I have ever owned. The only car I would rate close to this was a 1999 Camaro SS. The handling and ride are better than I ever expected. Im 62 presently and I beleive I will always own a Hummer H3 along with my second vehicle. My congratulations to General Motors for providing me a vehicle of this quality for this price that is so enjoyable to drive. Everyone in my family and circle of friends has been very impressed. Thank You Again General Motors.

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  Great - 2003 Hummer H1
  By HummerGuy - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This vehcle is the best. Really fun to drive and great reliability. This vehicle can go anywhere. If you want fake alloy trim and and a mushy interior buy the H2, but if you want the original, real, qualtity Hummer buy the H1. H for hummer and 1 for one and only. If you can afford this car, then you can afford the gas for it. This vehicle is exotic and solid. Goes over virtually any obstacle. Also, you get lots of attention and almost no one has this vehicle. I luv it, I luv it, I luv it.

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  Loaded 2006 Hummer H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Shaun Ritter - June 30 - 2:56 pm

  Weve had our new H3 for a month now and love it. We bought one completely loaded, LUX pkg, offroad pkg, navigation, homelink, locking rear differential, and dual dvds in the headrest. Were averaging 15-19 mpg like the sticker says. We love driving it and would highly recommend this over anything else in its price range.

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  wait wait wait.... what was i thinking? - 2003 Hummer H2
  By midnglensje - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Why, oh, why did i pay 60k on a monster vehicle that gets pathetic gas mileage (people need to quit trying to justify this. Face it, $360 a month for gas is out of hand) and is a pain in the neck to drive/park anywhere other than a frozen glaicer. Dont get me wrong, I loved taking this thing off road, but i seldom stray the beaten path (same with almost everyone else whos driving one) so all im doing is wasting $$$$. Do your homework people!!! Planning to trade in on a Volvo XC90.

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  Like It! - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Phred - June 25 - 2:00 am

  If you like big vehicles and want to drive on and off road this is a great choice. I like to fly fish and some of the best places require considerable off road driving. The H2 equipped with onboard compressor (to inflate tubes and pontoon boat) is the best.