15 Manliest Cars On The Road

4. Hummer H1

Just like the original Jeep became popular as a civilian model after World War II, the Humvee for public consumption was an instant manly car success after Operation Desert Storm.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is credited with pumping up AM General to dress it in civvies, and this is no girlie-man’s car.

The look is unmistakable and intimidating. The toughness and off-road prowess is incredible.

It may have generated more publicity than sales during its run of public availability, but it will always be one of the manliest rides ever.

Boasting 16 inches of ground clearance as well as super-aggressive approach and departure angles, the Humvee could clamber over a 22-inch-high obstacle, handle a 60 percent grade and wade through up to 30 inches of water.

All Hummers had the same basic four-door body that was available with a choice of tops: hardtop, slantback, soft top and wagon top. At 101 inches wide and weighing more than 7,000 pounds, a Hummer was nearly 3 feet wider than a compact car and weighed more than two midsize family cars. Nearly all were powered by a General Motors 6.2- or 6.5-liter V8 engine available in diesel or turbodiesel form.

A 5.7-liter gasoline-fueled V8 was available for a few years, but was axed as it was overtaxed by the Hummer’s great weight. Regardless of engine, all Hummers had an automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels. An onboard tire-inflation system allowed the tires to be “aired down” for serious rock crawling and then pumped back up before hitting the pavement.