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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  The Best SUV Ive ever had - 2006 Hummer H2
  By Terri - March 7 - 11:40 pm

  You are totally safe in this beast. Thats the reason I bought it which to me outweighs the gas mileage. My kids love it too. Handles great and the visibility is excellent. Makes a tighter u-turn than some small cars. If you look underneath all you see is solid cast iron which I think they are changing in the newer models(for better gas mileage, too bad). And most of all its fun to drive especially off road. My husband thought I was crazy to get the Hummer but he was surprized the way it handles. I think hes a little jealous now. I like having the tire in the back for added safety too. Oh by the way its fun to make your own parking space on those crowded occasions!

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  Well worth it - 2006 Hummer H2
  By engineer - January 30 - 7:02 am

  After buying a new H-3... I felt a bit slighted when I sat in a H-2. The search began for a late model used with warranty. I bought the H2 and it was love at first sight. Dont be foolish and buy new... you can buy a certified used for about 20K less and have the same warranty without the depreciation. I bought mine loaded with only 10K miles for $39K MSRP was $58K. Enough said. The drive and comfort cant be compared to any other vehicle. I get 13.5 MPG around town and was only getting 15 with MY H-3. The interior is very spacious however there is a lot of wasted space in the rear. The wind noise is loud at highway speeds and the low roof takes a bit of getting used too.

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  My girlfriend LOVES my Hummer! - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Hum1 - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Very fun vehicle to drive, rides as nice or nicer than my Expedition, big comfy seats, well placed ergos, panoramic view. Its like driving a tank in a parade every day. Onstar is a nice amenity to have. This is a vehicle you just love to own. It makes your commute fun...what more could you want?

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  Best vehicle ever - 2005 Hummer H2
  By hummer owner1 - January 5 - 2:25 pm

  This is a fun head turning vehicle with very few flaws. Handles great, looks great, and is safe to drive

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  2004 Hummer H2 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By rich - December 9 - 3:03 pm

  I finally found something I like to drive.Ii live in cleveland,ohio. and the roads are tore up. Also we have some heavy snow falls too. Driving the Hummer H2 on the highway is a joy. It has plenty of power and it rides very smoothly.

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  The best car Ive drivin - 2004 Hummer H2
  By Jose Fernandez - November 15 - 2:00 am

  The H2 has to be one of the best SUVs Ive have ever drivin and own.Its a monster,powerful,safe,and fun to drive and I like the body shape alot better than the old one.I all I got to say is that its taller,bigger,and safe.

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  First Hummer - 2008 Hummer H2
  By K McGuire - November 5 - 8:22 pm

  My first Hummer. I choose it over the Escalade. The new interior is quality in design and comfort. Touch screen navigation, XM radio is easy to use. Back-up camera was an important addition. The six speed 6.2L is great for our trips to Vermont.

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  Huge Improvement - 2008 Hummer H2
  By DonClaudio - October 4 - 8:43 pm

  I traded my 06 H2 against the 08 model and I really can say that the H2 has finally grown up. The new 6 speed automatic is a perfect match for the new 6.2l engine. Brake feel has improved as well and the steering is more direct now. Fuel economy is improved by 15% compared to the 06 H2.

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  2 Thumbs Up - 2007 Hummer H2
  By HCW - September 21 - 9:34 pm

  The H2 exceeded my expectations. The mileage is average, 15mpg. Accleration is comparable of a 3/4 ton truck. Towing is great. One barely notices the difference with a 8200# load.

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  H2 is a great powerful vehicle - 2004 Hummer H2
  By JOE - August 27 - 11:39 am

  Owning an H2 is great. Everyone notices it and Ive never been stuck or even skidded in the snow. The only issue is its size. Sometimes its hard to park or find a lot big enough in downtown urban areas.