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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  MOUNTAIN LEVELER - 2004 Hummer H2
  By PERAL - December 23 - 2:00 am

  WENT WITH TEAM CHEVEROLET OFF ROAD IN THE VALENCIA MOUNTAINS AND HAD THE BEST TIME EVER. THEY REALLY SHOW US WHAT THE HUMMER CAN DO, AND ITS NO SUV, ITS A MOUNTAIN LEVELER.

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  Rugged Style - 2003 Hummer H2
  By tjscott919 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  People get out of your way when driving this truck. Off road capability is outstanding, but manners to match for city driving. Gas mileage is better than I would expect as it gets similar mileage to my Ford Expedition. Overall Fun Fun Fun!

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  Kens choice - 2003 Hummer H2
  By kwilli9123 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  i traded in my 00 navigator for it. with the exception of lack of interior roominess, 9 months and 10k miles later, im still satisfied with my choice. as far as fuel consumption goes, i find it comparable to the other suvs ive owned. i find the handling and performace of my yellow 03 h-2 to be most satisfying. and the best part is, my wife loves it!

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  Hummer 2 -530 - 2003 Hummer H2
  By G Harris - December 16 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I are retired and we decided to buy something fun to have and drive. We love the smooth comfortable ride, the dual temperature control. We have added some of the exterior accessories to make it more special. All of our friends just love it and so do we.

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  i love it. It is so cool. - 2004 Hummer H2
  By brandon michaels - December 13 - 10:00 am

  i love it.It has the coolest whells, nav.and radio

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  Crazy cool - 2004 Hummer H2
  By glen barnes - December 13 - 2:00 am

  The lux model has all the extras a mom would want and its engine is built for dad, so perfect "going to the mountain" drive train and comfort for family. onstar and bose are a great added feature. THe engine is undisputed the best out there.

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  Most capable SUV on the road - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Chris G - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Overall, Im quite impressed with my H2. It has a buttoned down feel on the highway and is unstoppable off- road. I highly recommend attending the "HUMMER school" in South Bend, Indiana at the AM General off-road course. My 6 year old summed it up when I first brought it home, when he said, "WOW, thats the coolest thing I ever saw"!

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  Hummer H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By poopsybr - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Love my Hummer, gas mileage is not any worse than any other large SUV on the market.

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  unreal - 2004 Hummer H2
  By juneyer - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I love it. 18000 miles and not a single problem!!!!!!!

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  HUMMER.......Like No Other - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Sundance - December 4 - 2:00 am

  Of course it gets lousy gas mileage, but what do you expect from a 6400 pound machine! Great ride, short turning radius, comfortable seating all around, and of course its a pin-up SUV. Great looks! Awesome ride! Fantastic sounds! The BOSE speakers rock!