Overview & Reviews

The Hummer H2 debuted in 2003 as an attempt by Hummer and parent company General Motors to offer something a bit more practical than the exotic, designed-for-military-use H1. Relatively practical though it may have been, the Hummer H2's large size and U.S. military Humvee-inspired styling still made it stand out like a sweaty heavyweight prizefighter attending a Friday-night knitting class. It was extremely capable when taken off-road and easy to customize with factory options and dealer accessories. When examined solely on these merits, the H2 seemed like the ultimate pick for an SUV.

Unfortunately, it was burdened with some design flaws that make it ill-suited for everyday use. Though smaller than the original Hummer, the H2 was still quite bulky and heavy. This posed a problem on many fronts, from the obvious drain on fuel mileage to the more mundane trickiness of parallel parking or driving into a tight parking garage entrance. The truck also suffered from a less-than-competitive amount of cargo space, tight headroom, a short list of luxury features and, with the exception of the later versions, mediocre interior materials.

GM shut down Hummer in the midst of bankruptcy and a tidal shift in public perception of the brand. As such, there was only one H2 generation. Those with a true need for Herculean off-road ability in open terrain or those just smitten with its distinctive styling will find the H2 endearing. For everyone else, there are better choices available for a large, luxury-oriented SUV.

Most Recent Hummer H2
The Hummer H2 was produced from 2003-'09. It unmistakably aped its bigger H1 brother's styling, though nearly all of its hardware came from other GM truck products. There was also a model known as the H2 SUT introduced for 2005, which replaced the cargo area with a truncated pickup-style bed. It was equipped similarly to the regular H2.

Originally powered by a 6.0-liter V8 good for 316 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque and coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission, the H2 was upgraded to a 6.2-liter 393-hp V8 and a six-speed automatic transmission for 2008. As such, these are the pick of the litter given the Hummer's inherent weight.

Power was directed to the truck's meaty tires through a full-time dual-range transfer case. Advanced features included a driver-selectable rear differential locker and a drive-by-wire throttle setup that changed sensitivity when low-range gearing was selected.

Limited changes over its first few years included the arrival of an optional DVD-based navigation system in 2005, though the in-car electronics of early Hummers will feel quite antiquated today. Aside from the powertrain upgrades for '08, Hummer addressed the criticism that the H2's original cabin was poorly made and not befitting a vehicle with its price tag. The revamped cabin debuted with new seats, a redesigned dash and better materials, switchgear and electronics interfaces. Model year '09 saw the arrival of optional second-row captain's chairs and a new third-row-seat storage option that freed up more interior space.

In our reviews, we've found that the Hummer H2 had few equals in off-road situations. Thanks to nearly 10 inches of ground clearance, 42-degree approach and 38-degree departure angles, generous wheel travel and a protected underbody, the H2 could roll over just about any type of terrain without getting stuck or damaged. On tight trails, however, it could be difficult to maneuver, as its body was quite wide.

In urban environments such as densely packed city streets, the H2's width was a distinct liability. Its considerable height also created large blind spots and prevented it from being parked in some garages. Inside, the H2 offered comfortable seating for front passengers, but taller folks in the back were likely to find their heads canted to the side under the low roof. This problem didn't exist in other top large luxury SUVs of the time, which were also easier to enter and exit than the H2.

User Reviews:

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  No Title - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Jim - December 18 - 7:16 pm

  I love my H2. I would not buy any other SUV (maybe an H3). It goes anywhere I want to go. And it has power and torque to spare.

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  h2honey - 2003 Hummer H2
  By mark swineford - December 17 - 2:24 am

  strong suv super ext.styling love the added ground clearence a real head turner we have enjoyed ownership of this suv the overall look is what pushed us to buy it over any other suv choices that are out there today

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  H2 - Safety Design - 2005 Hummer H2
  By MACCKS - December 15 - 3:08 pm

  My husband recently hit a tree and totalled our $71,000 05 H2. How do you total a HUMMER? The H2 front end impact design shifted the "energy" absorbed by the accident under the vehicle instead of into the passenger seating area. Thus, damaging the frame, transfer case, rear end housing, etc. He walked away with only a seatbelt bruise. We are convinced this vehicle saved his life and cant wait to buy another!

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  Cant wait to get another one - 2003 Hummer H2
  By SCUnited - December 6 - 4:52 pm

  I love my H2. Big and safe. I travel with ny family in it (5) all over the place. I love when it snows. Its like a big toy that you can keep adding to since there are many after market accessories. If you can afford the H2 you can afford the gas! Coolest car Ive ever owned.

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  Speedster307s Review - 2005 Hummer H2
  By speedster307 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Over all a great SUV to drive and just relax. If you saw the movie Bad Boys 2, you could see how a Hummer H2 could go completely offroad. Over All Rating: 99.99%

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  Favorite Vehicle of all Time - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Joyce Khoury - December 1 - 9:48 pm

  I have had a wonderful time driving my H2. I dont have to worry about winter driving, as I live in the NE. This vehicle can go through and over almost everything. I have not had any problems with it at all. I feel safer driving my H2 than any other vehicle I have owned, including several SUVs and compact sports cars from two Miataa to a four Jaguars. It is reliable, and comfortable. The only problem, of course, is the gas milage! I get l2.3 mi to the gal. The worst of any vehicle I have ever owned, with a 12 cylinder Jag. coming in at about the same. I find that other drivers do not tailgate or cut in front of me anymore. And likewise I feel I have become a safer driver. H1 next!!!!

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  DJA - 2005 Hummer H2
  By H2 - December 1 - 8:13 pm

  This is the second one we have owned. We have a large piece of property with some horrible roads. My wife loves the vehicle and wouldnt want anything else. It is very durable and I feel safer with her in it. It does get horrible mileage and is as aerodynamic as a box which makes it hard to keep the wind shield clean. Other than the mileage, we are thrilled with the vehicle and the way it handles.

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  Better by you, Better than me - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Bob - December 1 - 10:40 am

  Took it in the mud and tried to get it stuck and couldnt. Nice power and much better handling than Lincoln Navigator. No where near as nice as a luxury vehicle. Hummer is sporty trying to be luxury. Navigator is luxury trying to be sporty. Both failed.

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  Its a TRUCK - 2006 Hummer H2
  By "KURLZ" - November 15 - 5:23 am

  This is absolutely THE finest vehicle on the road (and off). I have owned two and am one of the only female drivers to attend offroad outings, which I attend alot of, and I have been rated best offroad driver on a couple (-look out boys!) might I add I take great pride in the unmatched dependability and capabilities of this machine. I absolutely, without a doubt, love it and will, from day one forward, never never never live without one (maybe even two). NOTHING can compare, I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.

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  Hummer H2 - Good Fun - 2006 Hummer H2
  By ortygang - November 15 - 2:08 am

  I bought an H2 used and have driven it all over California and Nevada. I take it off road and then back on the highway. It handled the rough dirt trail well and then was very smooth on the highway. I have owned many 4x4 vehicles including Toyota and Jeep and this Hummer is the best combination of everything a person would want. Dont mind the gas mileage. It gets only two to three MPG worse than the Yukon XL I have with the same engine. The fun factor is worth the extra dollars spent on gas. The interior is typical GM quality which is good but not great. Beware underground parking - they build them too small for the H2. Otherwise - buy a Hummer - Have some fun.