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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  Worth it! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By tt - November 15 - 5:57 pm

  Ive owned several 4wds and I must say none are like the Hummer.Looking forward to the snow. Comfortable,quiet, 20mpg, fun and what an eye catcher. Is it ugly? Is it cute? Who cares its a Hummer!

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  hummer-best ever - 2005 Hummer H2
  By hummer dude - November 11 - 10:00 am

  best ever!!! hummers rock

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  Best SUV I have ever owned - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Bill Thomas - November 9 - 11:30 pm

  I have owned so called 4x4s before. This is the absolute best on and off road vehicle ever. This truck drives like a Cadillac on road and a tank off road. I have 60,000 miles and just now replaced the tires and windshield wipers. This is the ultimate driving machine. I average 13.5 miles per gallon. GREAT TRUCK

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  So far, I love this vehicle! - 2009 Hummer H3
  By Bayrat - November 9 - 8:25 pm

  This vehicle is quiet and comfortable. With the V8, it performs well and returns a mixed driving average around 18 MPG. Visibility is not as good as some vehicles but better than others, you decide. I always back with my mirrors, so the rear window thing does not bother me. In fact, it nicely blocks the headlights of idiots that tailgate and blind you. I would like to see Hummer make the footwell a bit more user friendly i.e. indenting the transmission tunnel a bit more where you need to rest your right foot. The left foot has a nice rest. The base stereo is quite sufficient. This vehicle is a beast and although its only been mine for a month, I anticipate that it will hold up well.

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  Windshield - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Kurt Watson - November 6 - 11:51 am

  This is my first Hummer and I am impressed with everything. The only complaint I have with my Hummer is the windshield. I am on number three in less than two years. The design of a flat glass gives Hummer that "look" but it is a sacrifice to rock chips and easy breaks in the hot Texas sun. A nice option would be high impact or bullet proof glass.

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  H3 Heaven - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Heck - November 6 - 12:53 am

  This is one fine Hummer. Everything anyone could want and more. Great ride, great milage and go anywhere. This Hummer has everyone turning their heads and saying ,what was that!

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  love my hummers ( i have 2 H2s) - 2006 Hummer H2
  By aldol - November 2 - 8:58 pm

  I bought one (pewter metallic) intending to use it for a weapon development project, but as soon as I sat behind the wheel I fell in love with my h2, my daughter, 27 at the time immediately wanted to trade in her Lexus suv for black h2. Since I bought them I kept accessorizing them. These cars are nothing short of amazing.

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  not so great H3 - 2006 Hummer H3
  By kris karpinsky - October 30 - 11:53 am

  Engine is way too weak for a truck this size 3.5 l. 5cyl its a JOKE!!! This truck is clearly made for women driving to and from grocery stores Every single friend of mine who was driving my H3 is saying same thing great handling more like a car not truck, quiet and comfy inside, good looking interior but engine is so weak !!! beige leather got dirty after two weeks of driving ( Im driving to work 22.5 miles one way) probably because my black leather belt and jeans believe me Im using AC and Im not over weighted & 200lb. (by the way enough space inside to get in and out)

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  H2 IS KING! - 2008 Hummer H2
  By HUMMER RULES! - October 27 - 2:17 am

  Owning this vehicle has been a dream of mine forever. I finally decided to purchase and dont have "BUYERS REMORSE" yet. My family loves it and we are planning trips for future adventures. People tend to stare when we drive down the street. And when I enter the vehicle Its like a whole new world. I absolutely love my decision and happy to be an owner.

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  stolis hummer - 2004 Hummer H2
  By stoli - October 16 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS THE MOST FUN SUV OUT THERE. THE FUEL ECONOMY IS NOT THE BEST EVEN WITH THE SUPERCHIP BUT WHAT DO EXPECT WITH A 6000 4WD TRUCK. IT SURE DOES GET THE LOOKS TOO