AM General HMMWV: An Unconventional Family Car

On a sunny day in Miami, you stopped at the local café to have an iced coffee while admiring the gorgeous view of the sea littered with swaying palm trees and happy tourists enjoying the sun. A Hummer drives past, and you think to yourself; that would make an excellent family car, and that statement would be correct.

Hummers are among the few cars on the market that make a statement without anyone knowing a single detail about it. It commands attention due to its size, stature, and bulkiness. While there are many excellent features in the Hummer, it does not scream a family car, but let us prove that that is indeed the case. 

Before we start to plead our case, there is some fine print we need to address. The car we are talking about is the AM General HMMWV or Humvee, which is AM General’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle that was sold to General Motors in the late 1990s and was placed in the general Hummer category. 

Does the AM General HMMWV still exist?

In the 1970s, the US Army wanted one truck to replace several large trucks that were being decommissioned, including the M151. By the 1980s, three companies were sent out to tender for this contract – AM General, Chrysler, and Teledyne Continental. They were asked to build a prototype, and AM General was given the contract based on the HMMWV.

It was sent out to active warfare in 1989 and has seen every continent since then. From the 1980s until now, the HMMWV has been re-designed and tweaked seventeen times. However, the Humvee is being sold directly from the military to civilians through the “HMMWV Recapitalization Programme,” even ones that have served in war zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq. 

How does the Humvee drive?

Under its bonnet is a Diesel V8 engine that could produce 160 horsepower when it was first made. It has a top speed of 70mph, which shows how safe it is for families, especially ones with small kids. It is an all-wheel drive and has other features like independent suspension, lockable central differentials, inboard disc brakes, and portal axles. The portal axles allow for over a foot of ground clearance—integral to Humvee’s off-road ability.  

Despite its size, the Humvee is very easy to drive. It has a three-speed automatic gearbox and light steering, making it effortless to maneuver. While the throttle needs slight aggression when using it, the steering prefers delicate movements.  But the noise of the engine, even when stationary, will get some getting used to. Sound insulation is not a high priority for the military, unfortunately. 

The Humvee’s Surprising Family Appeal

The exterior body is mounted on a steel frame with the powertrain raised and placed near the cabin area. However, it’s the external specifications that may surprise everyone. It weighs 2.5 tonnes, has a height of six feet, a width of over seven feet, and a length of fifteen feet. And with all that space, it fits only four people comfortably—enough room for a small family. The interiors house great seating, working seatbelts, and a wealth of space for each passenger. Due to the raised powertrain, each passenger has their own space. Perfect for families with squabbling children. 

Due to the open load bed at the back, it has excellent storage space, even more that the Skoda Kodiaq, which is known as the perfect family vehicle. It has fitted doors but a fabric roof. This is ideal for Miami as it gives the vehicle breathability. However, it may not be suitable for other climates around the US. 

The biggest downside to adapting the Humvee as a family car is its fuel economy. It goes without saying that it isn’t great. But on the upside, due to its size, it’s doubtful that you will be the victim of road rage. Plus, you would definitely be the coolest parents in the carpool lane.

Forget the SUV—Is the Humvee Your Family’s Next Favorite Vehicle?

So, is the Humvee a family vehicle? It is a tough vehicle that was in some of the most rugged terrains in the world. It is slow, safe, and will be the coolest vehicle in the school parking lot. To top it off, the purchase price of this vehicle starts at a reasonable $10,000. So, if you are looking for an alternative family vehicle and are sick of the monotony of bland exteriors and underwhelming interiors, the Humvee is the vehicle for you.