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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  Best SUV - 2005 Hummer H2
  By rlm208 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Best SUV on the market. Fun to drive.

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  interior squeak noise - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Bob Saggot - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Too much plastic n a $60k auto.I get a new noise everyday,otherwise it is a great car. My kids love the car...

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  third hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By jlnnick - October 9 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE THIRD H2 THAT I HAVE HAD. THEY ARE GREAT CARS, I DONT CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS. NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. 2 YELLOW AND WHAT BALCK. YELLOW IS DEFINITELY THE COLOR. I HAVE SEEN AS HIGH AS 15.1 MPG. I GET 12.9 MPG MOST OF THE TIME IN REGULAR DRIVING. I ADDED AN AIR INTAKE, STINGER EXHAUST, AND A HYPER-TECH PROGRAMMER. THEY ARE WHAT HELPED IMPROVE THE MILEAGE. GO BUY ONE, U WILL LUV IT.

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  sad - 2005 Hummer H2
  By montana guy - October 6 - 2:00 am

  fuel pump failed, winshield installed wrong, tailgate struts failed, aircleaner failed, computer failed...sold it and HAPPY, bought a Toyota Sequoia does everything a Hummer does and more.

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  Killer Hummer H-2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By gary datta - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have the best experience of owning Hummer H-2. I had Mereceds ML350 and Land Rover. Ml-350 was worst. It had lots of mechanical problems. It was lacking power. Land rover had lots of electrical problems. I didnt have to go to dealer for once for Hummer. I also own Mercedes and BMW sedans. I love my Hummer.

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  perfecto - 2005 Hummer H2
  By JJJKIKK - October 2 - 2:00 am

  perfect for driving on off road facilities

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  Terrific Hummer H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By smagee - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Tree Huggers and wimps need not apply!! Arnold and I love the Hummer H2 - except for the gas mileage. If what you are looking for is a comfortable SUV for all types of terrain the H2 is unbeatable. If you have to ask about gas mileage, dont buy one.

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  2005 H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By CDFrausto - September 19 - 2:00 am

  The H2 drives and handles like large luxury sports car. The interior is user friendly and has all the creature comforts you could want as a driver. The turning radius is phenomenal for such a large vehicle. I could best describe this as a hippo ballerina, its large, but graceful.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Mudder - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck and really fun to drive. If you are looking for a commanding view of the road, uumatched off-road capabilities and way cool exterior appearance, this is the truck for you. The SUT is really great looking and now I want one of those too.

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  2nd H2 - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Wj - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I drove an 03 H2 for two years and loved it. Just traded for an 05 and already expect the same great and fun performance. Have owned several Suburbans and a couple of Lexus SUVs and the H2 is just as comfortable and for sure more fun to drive......