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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  Glad I Got A Hummer - 2003 Hummer H2
  By DeSmetDoc - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I loved the H2 the first time I saw it on the net early last year. Ordered one even before test driving it. Test drove one and loved it even more. Had mine for 5 months now and I wouldnt drive anything else. The drive is excellent. The mileage isnt really as bad as I expected. 10/gallon? What do you expect? It goes up to 16-17/gallon on cruise control at 55-65 mph. Got it initially for the looks: a 10, For the drive: a 10, All wheel drive is a plus: a 10, and I live in snow country: so far a 10 for that as well. If you can afford one, GET ONE!

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  The H1 - 2003 Hummer H1
  By littleredvette21 - March 3 - 2:00 am

  Driving The H1 is like they say " Like nothing else. I realy enjoy my time. I make up fake places I " have to go to" just to drive it . The is the best truck Ive ever driven. The only con about it is the milage. One other thing I like about it is that ablity to go any were!

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  Love the H2 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By H2 Bill - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I had a deposit on it for 1 year. The dealer that I worked with was really great in keeping me informed as to its progress. I had one of the first on the road and the looks of people who had never seen was was really fun! Every stop that I made was full of curious onlookers that wanted to see the interior, engine, etc. I cant tell you how many people (total strangers!) I let sit in it! No problems with it and it is very comfortable and fun to drive. Lots of great off roading experiences with it and it has unbelievable capabilities.

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  best Suv ever - 2003 Hummer H1
  By .Erik. - March 2 - 2:00 am

  The hummer is probably the best Suv we ever driven, its insane at off-roading and has a lot of cool features. It is huge and has alot of power and grunt. It is very relible and roomy.

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  you would complain about anything - 2003 Hummer H2
  By quit_whining - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Its 6400 lbs. full time 4x4, and a V- 8, Gas milage? Why are you complaining, what did you expect its not a hybrid! If the spare is to big for you take it out who cares, not like youre going to get out and change it anyway. Compare it to a Range or Benz for $20k less, pay me the difference and Ill give you stainless steel grills and no plastic ANYWHERE!! And for the A/C thing if you dont know how to work one ride a bike. If it doesnt fit your needs dont buy it, but dont sit and complain about its design, it obviously wasnt designed for YOU.

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  Power failure. - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Wari - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Tried to start my truck after 4 days of domancy and it will not start. A truck was sent by the able On-star staff to jump start it. Searched everywhere for possible energy leak. The VCR player which was off has a small residual lighting that will take an owl to fish out. Doubt this was the reason, who knows. Has been working well since, VCR unplugged ( still love my truck regardless ).

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  2006 Hummer Review - 2006 Hummer H3
  By HummerOne - February 12 - 6:40 pm

  A bit too many squeaks and rattles when bought, but otherwise an excellent vehicle. Not a powerhouse, but plenty of power to climb the mountainous terrain around AZ. Great gas mileage for a pretty hefty sized vehicle (4700 lbs) with almost 20 mpg highway. Excellent interior style and comfort, even on long rides. Very quiet ride even at highway speeds. Great layout of all controls. Lots of ground clearance combined with the locking rear differential makes this vehicle a true off-roader capable of anything a jeep can do. Keep up the good work GM.

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  MY HUMMER H1 - 2003 Hummer H1
  By JOSHUA - February 12 - 2:00 am

  IT IS AMAZING TO DRIVE OFF-ROAD AND THAT`S WHAT IT`S FOR.IT NOT GREAT ON ROAD, BUT IT`S VERY RELIABLE AND YOU GET STARES WHERE EVER YOU GO IN IT

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  Hummer 2 Crazed - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Robert Detweiler - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Rugged and fun to drive on-road and off-road.

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  Waited 10 Years was it worth it. - 2003 Hummer H1
  By ChrisH - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Love it. Cant say enough good things about it. I could have been a sell out and bought an H2 for the same price but why. The H1 is more comfortable.