History Main / HummerDinger

* ''Series/TopGear'' frequently invokes this when talking about [=SUV=]s, especially ones like the [=BMW X5=] and the Range Rover. Oddly enough, Clarkson ''enjoyed'' the huge and unwieldy Hummer H2 for its charm, despite hating the H1 which is more capable off-road.

** Thankfully, it's [[https://web.archive.org/web/20110131182903/http://www.hummerdinger.com/ still accessible via the Web Archives]].

* One half of the TropeNamer is a website (now dead) formerly run by the Sierra Club called "Hummer Dinger" that criticized these vehicles. It specifically focused on the Hummer [=H2=] (the other half of the TropeNamer), which it saw as the most {{egregious}} real-life example of this trope.

The rough British equivalent of this trope is the "Chelsea tractor", which refers to huge [=4x4s=] (aka [=SUVs=] in America) that never leave the city and are owned by people who don't need the offroad capabilities. Among the vehicles stereotypically associated with this trope are Land Rovers, Porsche Cayennes, BMW [=X5s=], and other [=4x4s=] of that ilk, luxury vehicles that, while smaller than the typical American example, make up for it with their focus on flashiness. Such people are often stereotyped as arrogant and CompensatingForSomething.

This is chiefly an American and British trope, as Europe and Japan's narrower roads, crowded city streets, and pricier gas make such vehicles uneconomical in those places. Likely to show up when a work is carrying a GreenAesop. Compare AbsurdlyLongLimousine, and God help you if the two are combined. The rough equivalent for smaller cars is the RiceBurner. Note that this trope isn't about large [=SUVs=] that are actually used for their intended "sport" and "utility" purposes, but rather, for when they are used as suburban status symbols.

* Suzuki once ran a series of ads for one of their smaller [=SUVs=] showing off all the things that drivers couldn't do in their competitors' larger vehicles (park in tight spots, be able to reach down to the ticket at the toll booth without getting out).
* Kia also ran an ad like this, showing the compact Sorento clearing off-road obstacles that much larger [=SUVs=] got stuck in.
* A PSA was once made comparing these giant [=SUVs=] to wild animals to educate owners of said vehicles to be careful when driving them.

* In ''TheZombieSurvivalGuide'', Max Brooks claims that [=SUVs=] would be AwesomeButImpractical in a survival situation, stating that most (but not all) of them are built more for suburbia than off-roading (referring to them as "gas-guzzling, aesthetically engineered, irresponsibly marketed vanity plates").

* ''Series/TopGear'' frequently invokes this when talking about [=SUVs=], especially ones like the [=BMW X5=] and the Range Rover. Oddly enough, Clarkson ''enjoyed'' the huge and unwieldy Hummer H2 for its charm, despite hating the H1 which is more capable off-road.
* The [[FanNickname Hummers of Justice]] that were Horatio and company's signature vehicles on ''{{CSI Miami}}''. (The other two use SUVs, but slightly smaller and less glaring than the Hummers: Chevy Tahoes and GMC Denalis on ''{{CSI}}'', and Chevy Avalanches on ''{{CSI NY}}''.)

* Averted for some reason in the MMO ''Drift City''. Early on in the storyline, you're given a mission to drive an SUV around a long winding, hilly section of road spanning around the perimeter of the starting city. The game claims that [=SUVs=] are better for climbing up the steep hills because they have more power. Truth is, any car can drive up a hill just as easily as any SUV due to the game's mechanics. [=SUVs=] themselves generally have a higher "Toughness" stat, which has a small impact (no pun intended) on how much damage you do to enemies when you collide into them. How often you need to refuel your car depends on the tier of the car your driving, not the type, which means that [=SUVs=] last just as long as every other car in the same tier, only they don't drive nearly as fast. Also, all the cars in the game have their SerialNumbersFiledOff, unless they're from the Chrystler corporation or it's subsidaries Dodge and Jeep. For example, the "Comet" is a Mitsubishi Eclipse under a fictional name. One of the end-game [=SUVs=] is based off the Hummer H3, and actually is one of the most powerful vehicles in the game, even able to compete with other end-game cars.

* The second ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' episode with Desiree has Danny and Tucker drooling over giant Hummer-esque [=SUVs=]. [[SoapboxSadie Sam]] talks about how bad for the environment they are, and tries to egg Danny into destroying them. He denies her on the grounds that he's a hero. But Desiree hears the wish and turns them into literal Monster Trucks. Meanwhile, Tucker is completely enamored by the vehicle's [[AttentionDeficitOohShiny big shiny rims.]]

** The episode "The Last Temptation of Krust" features the Canyonero. The truck's commercial jingle makes up the page quote. [[ContinuityNod A later episode]] centers around Homer purchasing one, but when he finds that his is an "F-series" model (which has a lipstick holders built in instead of lighters), he proceeds to give it to Marge, which causes her to develop some series [[DrivesLikeCrazy road rage.]] It's Marge's car in ''TheSimpsonsHitAndRun''.

** In another episode, [[TheAhnold Rainer Wolfcastle]] talks about his enormous Hummer with Homer, providing the second page quote.

This is chiefly an American and British trope, as Europe and Japan's narrower roads, crowded city streets, and pricier gas make such vehicles uneconomical in those places. Likely to show up when a work is carrying a GreenAesop. Compare AbsurdlyLongLimousine, and God help you if the two are combined. Note that this trope isn't about large [=SUVs=] that are actually used for their intended "sport" and "utility" purposes, but rather, for when they are used as suburban status symbols.

** The episode "The Last Temptation of Krust" features the Canyonero. The truck's commercial jingle makes up the page quote. [[ContinuityNod A later episode centers around Homer purchasing one]], but when he finds that his is an "F-series" model has lipstick holders built in instead of lighters, he proceeds to give it to Marge. It's Marge's car in ''TheSimpsonsHitAndRun''.

A gigantic sport-utility vehicle, built under the philosophy that BiggerIsBetter, basically making it the SpiritualSuccessor to [[TheFifties 1950s]] cars with giant tail-fins. Smaller cars, or at least their drivers, tremble in fear at its presence on the highway -- or maybe it's because the road itself is shaking under its weight. The name will be something bold, authoritative and often referring to freedom, power and the rugged wilderness, like "Crusader"[[note]][[Well GallowsHumor]], [[TheWarOnTerror a lot of Arabs are gonna get killed because of it]][[/note]], "Passport" or "Kilimanjaro". It's filled with all sorts of equipment to help it tow trailers, climb mountains, and get through the rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it...

-> '''Brian:''' Look at all these Hummers, what kind of jerk would drive one of those?"
-> '''Hummer Driver:''' This car kicks ass, and I can watch ''WesternAnimation/{{Madagascar}}'' while driving. Ha ha ha, Those animals are so f***ing funny, they make me want to change lanes without signaling! (Explosion) YEAH! RUMSFELD!
-->-- '''''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'''''

A gigantic sport-utility vehicle, built under the philosophy that BiggerIsBetter, basically making it the SpiritualSuccessor to [[TheFifties 1950s]] cars with giant tail-fins. Smaller cars, or at least their drivers, tremble in fear at its presence on the highway -- or maybe it's because the road itself is shaking under its weight. The name will be something bold, authoritative and often referring to freedom, power and the rugged wilderness, like "Crusader", "Passport" or "Kilimanjaro". It's filled with all sorts of equipment to help it tow trailers, climb mountains, and get through the rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it...

[[caption-width-right:320:"[[Music/HankWilliamsJr Twelve yards long, two lanes wide,\\

[[caption-width-right:320:[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4QgWRycd7I "Twelve yards long, two lanes wide,\\

** The episode "The Last Temptation of Krust" features the Canyonero. The truck's commercial jingle makes up the page quote. Homer complains that it's a women's car when he finds that his "F-series" model has lipstick holders built in instead of lighters, and proceeds to give it to Marge. It's Marge's car in ''TheSimpsonsHitAndRun''.

Chiefly an American trope, as Europe and Japan's narrower roads, crowded city streets and pricier gas makes such vehicles uneconomical in those places. A sister trope does exist in the UK, the 'Chelsea Tractor', which refers to people buying huge (by British standards) [=4x4s=] (AKA [=SUVs=] in America) when they never leave the city and don't need the offroad capabilities--such people are often stereotyped as arrogant and CompensatingForSomething.

Likely to show up when a work is carrying a GreenAesop. Compare AbsurdlyLongLimousine, and God help you if the two are combined. Note that this trope isn't about large [=SUVs=] that are actually used for their intended "sport" and "utility" purposes, but rather, for when they are used as suburban status symbols.

Quickly becoming a DiscreditedTrope, as the one two punch of the late [[TurnOfTheMillennium 2000s]] gas crisis, and the [[TheNewTens 2010s]] economic depression has hit the SUV market hard, even in the United States. Even the TropeNamer Hummer brand has gone under as of 2009. However, thanks to the GrandfatherClause, HummerDinger will keep its old name until the site decides otherwise.

* '' TopGear'' frequently invokes this when talking about [=SUVs=], especially ones like the [=BMW X5=] and the Range Rover. Oddly enough, Clarkson ''enjoyed'' the huge and unwieldy Hummer H2 for its charm, despite hating the H1 which is more capable off-road.

A gigantic sport-utility vehicle, built under the philosophy that BiggerIsBetter, basically making it the SpiritualSuccessor to [[TheFifties 1950s]] cars with giant tail-fins. Smaller cars, or at least their drivers, tremble in fear at its presence on the highway -- or maybe it's because the road itself is shaking under its weight. The name will be something bold, authoritative and often referring to freedom, power and the rugged wilderness, like "Crusader", "Passport" or "Kilimanjaro". It's filled with all sorts of equipment to help it tow trailers, climb mountains, and get through the rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it... very little of which will be used by 90% of the people who buy it. Instead, it will most likely serve as a mall crawler in {{suburbia}} (or a "[[FunWithAcronyms suburban utility vehicle]]"), shuttling tots to soccer games and groceries back to the house. Fuel economy will be measured in either the single digits or in gallons per mile. The driver will be either a very tiny woman CompensatingForSomething, [[MidlifeCrisisCar a man in his midlife crisis]], a [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff Mexican cartel boss]] looking for something huge, intimidating and capable of seating lots of goons with lots of firepower, or a celebrity using it to flaunt his wealth (pro athletes, [[GlamRap rap musicians]] and [[TheAhnold action movie stars]] are the most common), in which case it will likely also be a PimpedOutCar. When it comes time for Junior to get his or her license, expect the kid to shudder at the thought of having to maneuver the thing.

A gigantic sport-utility vehicle, built under the philosophy that BiggerIsBetter. Smaller cars, or at least their drivers, tremble in fear at its presence on the highway -- or maybe it's because the road itself is shaking under its weight. The name will be something bold, authoritative and often referring to freedom, power and the rugged wilderness, like "Crusader", "Passport" or "Kilimanjaro". It's filled with all sorts of equipment to help it tow trailers, climb mountains, and get through the rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it... very little of which will be used by 90% of the people who buy it. Instead, it will most likely serve as a mall crawler in {{suburbia}} (or a "[[FunWithAcronyms suburban utility vehicle]]"), shuttling tots to soccer games and groceries back to the house. Fuel economy will be measured in either the single digits or in gallons per mile. The driver will be either a very tiny woman CompensatingForSomething, [[MidlifeCrisisCar a man in his midlife crisis]], a [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff Mexican cartel boss]] looking for something huge, intimidating and capable of seating lots of goons with lots of firepower, or a celebrity using it to flaunt his wealth (pro athletes, rap musicians and [[TheAhnold action movie stars]] are the most common), in which case it will likely also be a PimpedOutCar. When it comes time for Junior to get his or her license, expect the kid to shudder at the thought of having to maneuver the thing.

* Lampooned in ''Film/RoboCop1987'' with an advert for [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl8mQhxhE_Q the "6000 S.U.X."]] that's briefly seen on a TV screen. It gets 8.2 mpg.
** Doesn't really fit as the 6000 S.U.X. is a passenger coupe/sedan rather than a sport utility vehicle.

* Lampooned in ''Film/RoboCop1987'' with an advert for [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl8mQhxhE_Q the "6000 S.U.X."]] that's briefly seen on a TV screen.
* A pimped out Hummer makes an appearance at "Sarge's SUV Boot Camp" at the end of Cars. When ordered to drop and give Sarge twenty (miles), he complains of dirt getting in his rims, making it obvious that he's never been off road.

Quickly becoming a DiscreditedTrope, as the one two punch of the late [[TurnOfTheMillennium 2000s]] gas crisis, and the [[TheNewTens 2010s]] economic depression has hit the SUV market hard, even in the United States. Even the TropeNamer Hummer brand has gone under as of 2009. However, thanks to the GrandfatherClause, HummerDinger will keep it's old name until the site decides otherwise.

A gigantic sport-utility vehicle, built under the philosophy that BiggerIsBetter. Smaller cars, or at least their drivers, tremble in fear at its presence on the highway -- or maybe it's because the road itself is shaking under its weight. The name will be something bold, authoritative and often referring to freedom, power and the rugged wilderness, like "Crusader", "Passport" or "Kilimanjaro". It's filled with all sorts of equipment to help it tow trailers, climb mountains, and get through the rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it... very little of which will be used by 90% of the people who buy it. Instead, it will most likely serve as a mall crawler in {{suburbia}} (or a "[[FunWithAcronyms suburban utility vehicle]]"), shuttling tots to soccer games and groceries back to the house. Fuel economy will be measured in either the single digits or in gallons per mile. The driver will be either a very tiny woman CompensatingForSomething, a man in his midlife crisis, a [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff Mexican cartel boss]] looking for something huge, intimidating and capable of seating lots of goons with lots of firepower, or a celebrity using it to flaunt his wealth (pro athletes, rap musicians and [[TheAhnold action movie stars]] are the most common), in which case it will likely also be a PimpedOutCar. When it comes time for Junior to get his or her license, expect the kid to shudder at the thought of having to maneuver the thing.

* The Treer Saltair in ''SouthlandTales''. One [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37CBLDHMgo (in)famous scene]] featured two of these vehicles [[UnusualEuphemism conjoining]].
* Lampooned in ''Film/RoboCop'' with an advert for [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl8mQhxhE_Q the "6000 S.U.X."]] that's briefly seen on a TV screen.

* A PSA was once made comparing these giant SUVs to wild animals to educate owners of said vehicles to be careful when driving them.

Chiefly an American trope, as Europe and Japan's narrower roads, crowded city streets and pricier gas makes such vehicles uneconomical in those places.

-> '''Brain:''' Look at all these Hummers, what kind of Jerk would drive one of those?"
-> '''Hummer Driver:''' "This car kicks ass, and I can watch Madigascar while driving. Ha ha ha, Those animals are so f***ing funny, they make me want to change lanes without signaling! (Explosion). YEAH! RUMSFELD!
-->-- '''Family Guy'''

-->-- '''The Simpsons'''

** In another episode, [[TheAhnold Rainer Wolfcastle]] talks about his enormous Hummer with Homer.
--->'''Homer:''' What kind of gas milage do you get?\\
'''Wolfcastle:''' One highway, zero city.

* Stan's Big black SUV from AmericanDad. One episode from 2010 even parodied the changing car market. Francine is telling the family to cut back on expenses because the economy has caused the family to loose all it's savings in the market. Roger tells Francine that Stan spends over $400.00 a day fueling his SUV. Francine demands that Stan trade it in for a hybrid. Stan refuses because he's [[CompensatingForSomething "A big man who needs a big SUV so everyone will know how big he is"]]. The rest of the episode focuses on Stan trying to come up with the money to keep his SUV, only to end up deeper and deeper in debt.

A gigantic sport-utility vehicle, built under the philosophy that BiggerIsBetter. Smaller cars, or at least their drivers, tremble in fear at its presence on the highway -- or maybe it's because the road itself is shaking under its weight. The name will be something bold, authoritative and often referring to the rugged wilderness, like "Crusader", "Chihuahua" or "Kilimanjaro". It's filled with all sorts of equipment to help it tow trailers, climb mountains, and get through the rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it... very little of which will be used by 90% of the people who buy it. Instead, it will most likely serve as a mall crawler in {{suburbia}} (or a "[[FunWithAcronyms suburban utility vehicle]]"), shuttling tots to soccer games and groceries back to the house. Fuel economy will be measured in either the single digits or in gallons per mile. The driver will be either a very tiny woman CompensatingForSomething, a man in his midlife crisis, a [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff Mexican cartel boss]] looking for something huge, intimidating and capable of seating lots of goons with lots of firepower, or a celebrity using it to flaunt his wealth (pro athletes, rap musicians and [[TheAhnold action movie stars]] are the most common), in which case it will likely also be a PimpedOutCar. When it comes time for Junior to get his or her license, expect the kid to shudder at the thought of having to maneuver the thing.

A gigantic sport-utility vehicle, built under the philosophy that BiggerIsBetter. Smaller cars, or at least their drivers, tremble in fear at its presence on the highway -- or maybe it's because the road itself is shaking under its weight. The name will be something bold, authoritative and often referring to the rugged wilderness, like "Crusader", "Chihuahua" or "Kilimanjaro". It's filled with all sorts of equipment to help it tow trailers, climb mountains, and get through the rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it... very little of which will be used by 90% of the people who buy it. Instead, it will most likely serve as a mall crawler in {{suburbia}} (or a "[[FunWithAcronyms suburban utility vehicle]]"), shuttling tots to soccer games and groceries back to the house. Fuel economy will be measured in either the single digits or in gallons per mile. The driver will be either a very tiny woman CompensatingForSomething, a man in his midlife crisis, a Mexican cartel boss looking for something huge, intimidating and capable of seating lots of goons with lots of firepower, or a celebrity using it to flaunt his wealth (pro athletes, rap musicians and [[TheAhnold action movie stars]] are the most common), in which case it will likely also be a PimpedOutCar. When it comes time for Junior to get his or her license, expect the kid to shudder at the thought of having to maneuver the thing.

A gigantic sport-utility vehicle, built under the philosophy that BiggerIsBetter. Smaller cars, or at least their drivers, tremble in fear at its presence on the highway -- or maybe it's because the road itself is shaking under its weight. The name will be something bold, authoritative and often referring to the rugged wilderness, like "Crusader", "Chihuahua" or "Kilimanjaro". It's filled with all sorts of equipment to help it tow trailers, climb mountains, and get through the rain, snow, sleet, hail, mud, and whatever else Mother Nature can throw at it... very little of which will be used by 90% of the people who buy it. Instead, it will most likely serve as a mall crawler in {{suburbia}} (or a "[[FunWithAcronyms suburban utility vehicle]]"), shuttling tots to soccer games and groceries back to the house. Fuel economy will be measured in either the single digits or in gallons per mile. The driver will be either a very tiny woman, a man [[CompensatingForSomething in his midlife crisis]], a Mexican drug syndicate hitman, or a celebrity (pro athletes, rap musicians and [[TheAhnold action movie stars]] are the most common) using it to flaunt his wealth, in which case it will likely also be a PimpedOutCar. When it comes time for Junior to get his or her license, expect the kid to shudder at the thought of having to maneuver the thing.