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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  Awesome - 2003 Hummer H2
  By J.R. Stull - August 23 - 10:00 am

  No better value for what you get one the market. If you are complaining about the gas milage, get a honda. Very capable offroad and very quiet on road. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Hum - 2005 Hummer H2
  By ddwgirl2010 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoyed this car.

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  sweet! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By boatwizard - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Very well thought out and executed. Only downside is towing on the highway. Not enough power to stay with traffic even pulling a small box trailer with a Harley in it.

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  Others Complaints Seem Bizarre, Great! - 2003 Hummer H2
  By TAG - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Some of the complaints on this board seem bizarre now that I bought my H2. To the guys whining about the Air Conditioning, I live in the desert, it was 110 yesterday and the H2 kept me as cool as any vehicle Ive been in. (OPEN the vents and click the "recycle air" button). Regarding the sound system: Sounds great with PLENTY of power... Nice quiet ride overall, more comfortable than I expected. To the guy who called it "The Queen Of Pigs", Im missing something... Obviously its big, but the rides smooth and it handles well for its size. What did he THINK he was getting, a Hundai??

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  Great - 2004 Hummer H2
  By D G - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Great truck, runs good, fun to drive. Easy to handle and looks good when you fix it up.

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  The hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Christopher c - June 1 - 10:00 am

  The second best off road suv besides the h1 there is no place this suv cant go but has the worst fuel econmy of any suv

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  Hummer H2 - A Great Machine - 2003 Hummer H2
  By JRS - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle lives up to its anticipated styling and peformance. The looks are extraordinary. The drive is smooth and very comfortable. The accelleration is surprisingly good for such a massive vehicle. During my initial of-road trial I had to pull a Jeep out of the mud! The H2 took fairly steep inclines, downed trees, rocks, etc without any signs of stressing the drive-train or suspension. Its not a vehicle for everyone due to the size. Environmentalists wont like the 12 mpg on the highway and 5-6 mpg off road!!!

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  Every guy luvs a hummer - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Richard Neith - April 13 - 10:00 am

  This is a luxury SUV, I luv the Bose stereo system and the looks and comments I ghet from everywhere I go.Everyone says I have their dream car.I paid 47,995 for itnew. I have had it since Oct 2003, they offered me full value on a trade in. no depreciation.

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  Impressed - 2003 Hummer H2
  By sbe - February 26 - 2:00 am

  After reading many reviews, i was surprised to find th A/C and stereo work great. Have logged over 2,000 miles in last 12 days, and find the comfort and drivability amazing. It gets a lot of attention from all age groups. EVERYONE that said I was crazy for buying a Hummer has changed their opinion. It is simply the most fun I have ever had driving anything. The gas is a drag, but it comes with the territory. It is VERY quiet considering it has such large aggressive tires and the aerodynamics of a shoe box.

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  Happy H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By jf - February 4 - 10:00 am

  great vehicle but expect town car mileage--11mpg