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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  PERFECTION SOOO CLOSE! - 2008 Hummer H3
  By JERRAD - July 1 - 12:11 am

  ive owned 3 hummers my 06h3 was totaled rolled at 45mph no injuries walked away, hummer still running. owneda variety of high end suvs like rangerovers, escalades, etc. alpha by far the best all around vehicle! H3 is safe and a tank, driven from mountains-mud-beach everything in between. V8 is what it needed. lux&adventure without nav. is best way to buy (all stock nav is junk no matter vehicle its in). army reservist h1 is great but H3 is narrow to fit down logging roads, low enough to fit in parking garages, turning radius perfect, incredible ground clearance, i have never gotten stuck pulled out many friends in other vehicles, H3T is the next toy wife will drive my alpha. WOW!!!

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  Bimmer to Hummer - 2009 Hummer H3
  By c burns - June 27 - 11:01 pm

  if you own at least one gun, like to ride four wheelers and have a set of boots than this is the small SUV for you. I love my HUMMER it can go offroad and tow stuff and chicks dig it. it can drive in a flood and dry sandy beaches. offroad? i owned a JEEP on climbing and a Z71 in the mud (then pulled him out) can tow a mastercraft X2 as well as my dirtbikes and quads if you want a dude like SUV that tows the toys and owns Jeeps offroad than get an H3 after all, "it is what it is"

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  It lives up to its name!!! - 2006 Hummer H3
  By DAVID CORNIER - June 21 - 3:13 am

  The hummer is great , i drove it 2 feet of flooded areas and it never hyrdoplaned, nor did water get in! It has so far passed every test i gave it i am waiting for the snow! My hummer is still fairly new!! But so far so good, the off road suspension is great!

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  Happy - 2009 Hummer H3
  By Happy - June 16 - 1:44 pm

  Glad I bought the H3 had a 4runner it was ok but I enjoy my Hummer gas mileage to me is similar to the Toyota sound system is awesome Edmunds review is a lil severe wish I cound buy another for my teenage daughter

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  Best in Class - 2006 Hummer H3
  By Glenn - June 9 - 7:33 pm

  The H3 is a homerun for GM

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  I love my Hummer! - 2007 Hummer H3
  By Mtnlvr - May 31 - 7:22 pm

  Ever since I purchased my Hummer, I feel like I want to live in it! It feels safe, it does have a five star crash rating! It is comfortable to drive, classy and just plain awesome! Even with the bad economy looming over my head, I couldnt resist and purchased the chromed luxury model after one test drive! I drove a Toyota Camry LE as a rental for a week, and believe me that car was horrible. I missed my Hummer really really bad! I could get better gas mileage if I had smaller tires, but I need the clearance.

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  Hummer Fan - 2008 Hummer H3
  By Mark - May 31 - 7:18 pm

  This suv is awesome it handles great. The turning radius is amazing I have driven a lot of suvs and none are as comfortable or respond like this . I definitely recommend driving before buying any other suv.

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  The best SUV! Like nothing else! - 2008 Hummer H2
  By SD90 - May 29 - 9:51 am

  Ive only had this H2 for a month, but I love it so far. It puts a smile on my face every time I get in it! The gas mileage is better than I expected with the new 6.2L / 6 speed transmission. Im getting 16 mpg city driving, and 19 hwy, (Imp mpg, I am in Canada!) Its about the same as my 07 Ram 3500 Diesel, (NOT the dual rear wheel) For you that want to figure it out, my last fill up, I went 230 km on 34 L. It was on the highway between 100-110 km/h. The interior is much more refined than the 03 - 07 models. The exterior doesnt have to be changed at all! It still looks like nothing else on the road. You feel very safe while driving in the H2. I love it!

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  Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Pat Ayers - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a lot of trucks but this is the best one ever.The only problem is how will I ever be happy with anything else.I do not believe they can ever build any better vehicle.So where do I go next? Pat Ayers

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  Hummers dont come cheap - 2009 Hummer H3
  By HummerReady - May 14 - 12:56 am

  I love my H3. Before this little tank I drove an Xterra with no stability or power. I was not looking for speed but definitely endurance with class. With the H3, I have found a women a lot like myself, reliable, easy, fun and definitely classy. In a heart beat I would purchase another one....