The AM General Hummer, later known as the H1 or the HMCS, is one of the toughest, most brawny, and most crazily capable SUVs in the world. And that’s no surprise, given that the impressive truck was developed for the United States military and later adapted for civilian life in the early 1990s, thanks to several interested buyers, including legendary actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Called the HMMWV in the military (an acronym for High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle), the nickname Humvee was initially given to the giant vehicle. Eventually, soldiers and members of the public further nicknamed it the Hummer. As a result, when it went on sale to civilians in 1992, it was officially called the AM General Hummer. While the lineup eventually spawned smaller versions called the H2 and H3, it’s the original we’re covering today: the full-size, no-holds-barred H1.

What should you look for if you’re interested in buying one? These are some of the things you need to think about before buying a Hummer, beyond ensuring that you have enough driveway space to accommodate the beastly off-roader. 

The Hummer Body Styles

The Hummer was manufactured in three variants by AM General, a heavy truck manufacturer located in South Bend, Indiana. The two most common varieties are the wagon, a 4-door model with a closed roof, much like a standard SUV, and the open-top or soft-top model, which has four doors, an open roof, and an open bed. There was also a 2-door pickup version with an enclosed roof, a single cab, and a large bed, though pickup versions are unusual in civilian (non-military) guise.

A fourth body style, dubbed the Slantback, was also available in extremely limited quantities for the civilian market. It was so limited, in fact, that it’s unlikely you’ll ever find one for sale. Slantback models featured a slanted cover over the cargo area, much like military versions. While some Slantback conversions exist, we suggest you pour some water on them before purchasing. AM General had considerable trouble waterproofing the Slantback rear end, and we suspect any aftermarket conversions will encounter similar problems.

Yearly Changes

The AM General Hummer originally went on sale in civilian form for the 1992 model year, using a naturally-aspirated diesel engine. At the time, diesel power wasn’t as common as it is now, and many drivers wanted a gasoline option, so AM General added a gas-powered 5.7-liter V8 to the fold in 1994. Both the gas-powered version and the naturally aspirated diesel are notoriously slow; neither offers more than 200 horsepower, and even the high torque figures weren’t enough to counteract the enormous curb weight.

Beginning with the 1996 model year, AM General dropped both the diesel and the gasoline engines and went with a new turbodiesel engine that offered more power and more torque. And then, over the next nine years, the vehicle was gradually improved: climate control was enhanced for the 1997.5 model year, while anti-lock brakes were added in 1998. The interior grew nicer throughout the years, and wheel designs became more civilian-friendly. The color palette expanded, and the cabin added even more features and equipment.

The last year of the regular turbodiesel was 2004. AM General skipped the 2005 model year, returning in 2006 with the last hurrah: the Hummer H1 Alpha, which is the ultimate iteration of the truck. It boasted a new Duramax diesel engine with more torque and power, a further-improved interior, stronger off-road capabilities, and many more upgrades. This is considered the ultimate iteration of the Hummer, and the desirability for these upgrades is reflected in the prices of used Alpha models: They often trade hands for deep six-figure prices, even 20 years after production ended.

The Trouble Spots

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Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Doug Demuro contributed to the report.