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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  2004 HUMMER - 2005 Hummer H2
  By lena - March 11 - 11:06 pm

  Love it. And yes it is owned by a woman. Gets lots of looks and have only had it in the snow. Looking forward to Taking it on the beaches of the Outer Banks of NC to try it in the sand. Traded a 4Runner in on it which only got 17 miles per gallon so 14 for all this SUVis not bad. Feel very safe in it on all roads and drive it daily

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  Fun to drive vehicle - 2005 Hummer H2
  By FRANK COLLINS - February 26 - 1:22 pm

  The 2005 hummer h2 is a very impressive, surprisingly smooth ,fun driving, truck. When it comes to fuel usage the rating is a little lower,but considering the size of the vehicle and the constant 4-wheel drive you know what to expect before purchasing this particular truck.

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  Wonderful! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Muttseandm - February 25 - 10:59 pm

  The New HUMMER H2 is the most wonderful SUV on Earth (i think so). It is so comfortable. Easy to drive. I have a Black One. LUX Series. Top lights.

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  True review by owner - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Really own one - February 22 - 1:52 pm

  Traded in an 04 Escalade . The Hummer is a great vehicle . However a few flaws , windows are very small and restrict visibility . Does not do too well in mud or ice, tire change would fix . Really fun to drive . If you add the winch to the front you can not open the hood - on the back cant swing open the tire w/o removing winch . Ride on highway is great / fair on dirt roads . 4wd is a 10, brakes are a 10 . All in all I am happy with this vehicle be sure you can get in and out of it easily. I find it is kinda hard to get in and out, but I am 50 . The Black leather really shows dirt . I would buy one again .

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  a must have - 2005 Hummer H2
  By bobby - February 12 - 3:37 pm

  i had suvs all my life but nothing will compare to the animal i am driving now.not because its a hummer its because what it dose in all conditions the last northeast blizzard over 2 feet of snow did not stop this truck,or the mountains off roading

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  ABSOLUTLY Like Nothing Esle - 2005 Hummer H2
  By shaun laird - February 2 - 7:14 pm

  The best thing about the H2 is the wonderful feeling you get not only driving it but starring at it when it sits in front of your house. Now I have had little things that I have had to take to the dealership to have fixed, but the absolute joy of having one overcomes the minor issues

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  My Hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By lapointeatlas - January 19 - 3:55 pm

  My first long trip happened to be during a snow storm. It was very comforting knowing what I was driving while I was seeing cars and truck sliding off of the Interstate. With the four wheel drive and traction control I never at any time felt like I was not in control

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  All that & then some.... - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Ayida - January 6 - 3:35 am

  I wanted this truck since the minute I saw it, but the new color "Stealth Grey" sold it! It is an amazing truck, great interior/exterior, I got all the bells and whistles added from the factory, so lets just say it turns some heads, especially from other Hummer owners! It drives great, a bit hard to park (considering Im a woman), but it is all that and then some!

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  conquering the snowman - 2004 Hummer H2
  By daves h2 - January 6 - 3:11 am

  the h2 has been a dependable, comfortable vehicle... in the recent storms in nevada, we were able to drive over a 4 foot snowdrift and delivered a coworker to her door... and pushed and pulled many other 4wheel drive vehicles out of ditches and mounds of snow and ice... i feel very safe... weve pulled our boat, our trailer, and another cars - never jiggled around behind us... our two year old grandson loves it so much we bought him his own little h2 for christmas...

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  nothing else like it.. I always have one - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Laurie - January 6 - 2:25 am

  I love my H2. We call it Godzilla sometimes dinosaurus-not dinosaur. Some of the interior things should be of better quality. The backs kinda small for the size of the truck. I had more space in my minivan. I put my seat down and still have a hard time fitting in stuff. I work in home repair, by the way the truck although has the hauling capacity doesnt have the interior room. But I wouldnt trade it for anything else. I just deal with it. I am 32 and as long as I can step in and out of this thing! I will own one. I love this truck, its a muscle car and monster truck all in one.!!!