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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Soccer Moms Need Not Apply - 2003 Hummer H2
By TEE - July 24 - 10:00 amThe H2 is designed to be a serious off road truck. If people do not need that capability, they should not buy it. Many people purchased this truck without seeing or taking it for a test drive, and now they are blamimg the truck because they made an emotional, uninformed purchase decision. Yes its heavy, and does not accelerate like a sedan, but 0 to 60 in under 10 seconds is plenty fast enough for highway travel. The interior is a little too "plastic", but thats GM. Overall I think they did a great job for those who use an off road vehicle and enjoy a little comfort getting there.
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hummerdoc - 2003 Hummer H2
By rasmd - July 19 - 10:00 amIve had my Hummer for 10 days. The gawks from people of all ages is distracting to downright funny. Its everyones favorite new SUV. Mileage in first 1000 mi is 10 mph. Ride is very smooth - a lot like my Suburban. Heated seats will scorch your butt. Would love a full third row seat. Interior is very comfortable. Gadgets are great. Took too long to receive from factory. Ordered in late June, delivery in early October. Could not get sunroof.
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Hummer is PERFECT - 2003 Hummer H2
By bbbb - July 19 - 2:00 amMy Hummer is the BEST!
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sweet - 2003 Hummer H2
By fosbauc - July 18 - 2:00 amwell mah car is well i put 26in rims on it and a supercharger on it and i can top out at 150mph i love my H2
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hummers rule!!!!!! - 2005 Hummer H2
By hummer man - July 15 - 10:00 ami love my hummer its fun to drive,great for off roading and long trips,the only down part is fuel economy
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wait wait wait.... what was i thinking? - 2003 Hummer H2
By midnglensje - June 27 - 2:00 amWhy, oh, why did i pay 60k on a monster vehicle that gets pathetic gas mileage (people need to quit trying to justify this. Face it, $360 a month for gas is out of hand) and is a pain in the neck to drive/park anywhere other than a frozen glaicer. Dont get me wrong, I loved taking this thing off road, but i seldom stray the beaten path (same with almost everyone else whos driving one) so all im doing is wasting $$$$. Do your homework people!!! Planning to trade in on a Volvo XC90.
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Like It! - 2003 Hummer H2
By Phred - June 25 - 2:00 amIf you like big vehicles and want to drive on and off road this is a great choice. I like to fly fish and some of the best places require considerable off road driving. The H2 equipped with onboard compressor (to inflate tubes and pontoon boat) is the best.
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A great, eyecatching ride - 2003 Hummer H2
By DJB16 - June 15 - 2:00 amThe HUMMER is an eye catching vehicle that is surprisingly easy to drive around town including parallel parking. The styling is quite dominant, so skip this one if being in the limelight is a problem. Great in mud and snow, we have used it some wet and muddy terrain with ease. The H2 has typical GM interior which is somewhat lacking, but who cares? Very comfortable seating and a smooth ride has made this as much fun for passengers as drivers. Great dealer followup.
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Love It!! - 2003 Hummer H2
By Fan4Three - June 14 - 2:00 amAn outstanding truck from top to bottom!!
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Looks Fun Must be Fun - 2003 Hummer H2
By Pacman - June 11 - 2:00 amI have been verry happy with my H-2 it dose eat the gas butt most large SUV do.
