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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  fun to own and fun to drive - 2003 Hummer H2
  By larry swanberg - December 27 - 6:35 pm

  the hummer i bought in 2003 is the same that is offered now, or i would buy a new one.this is the longest i have kept any thing that i bought new.they do need a 6 or 7 speed automatic for everything to get better..thanks

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  h204 - 2004 Hummer H2
  By michael brawner - December 22 - 8:42 pm

  Hummer explains it all. Its big and you can see over everyone except 18 weelers. If you measure the the nurf bars compared to ALL other cars and SUVS if you got to an accident you know who would win! the way I see it you pay for protection as long as you are not getting shot at!!!

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  h2hemi - 2003 Hummer H2
  By h2hemi - December 18 - 10:42 pm

  this vehicle is beyond my expectations on reliability and comfort. it rides like a limo and yet demands respect. i am very happy with my purchase and would do it all over again. the quality and craftsmanship is rugged for the offroad and classy for night on the town. we are pleased and very happy with our h2.

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  Love my H2! - 2003 Hummer H2
  By Chris - December 18 - 8:39 pm

  So safe and secure. I can let my wife drive around Miami and not worry about her. Very happy, rain or shine!

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  No Title - 2005 Hummer H2
  By Jim - December 18 - 7:16 pm

  I love my H2. I would not buy any other SUV (maybe an H3). It goes anywhere I want to go. And it has power and torque to spare.

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  H2 - Safety Design - 2005 Hummer H2
  By MACCKS - December 15 - 3:08 pm

  My husband recently hit a tree and totalled our $71,000 05 H2. How do you total a HUMMER? The H2 front end impact design shifted the "energy" absorbed by the accident under the vehicle instead of into the passenger seating area. Thus, damaging the frame, transfer case, rear end housing, etc. He walked away with only a seatbelt bruise. We are convinced this vehicle saved his life and cant wait to buy another!

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  Cant wait to get another one - 2003 Hummer H2
  By SCUnited - December 6 - 4:52 pm

  I love my H2. Big and safe. I travel with ny family in it (5) all over the place. I love when it snows. Its like a big toy that you can keep adding to since there are many after market accessories. If you can afford the H2 you can afford the gas! Coolest car Ive ever owned.

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  Speedster307s Review - 2005 Hummer H2
  By speedster307 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Over all a great SUV to drive and just relax. If you saw the movie Bad Boys 2, you could see how a Hummer H2 could go completely offroad. Over All Rating: 99.99%

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  Its a TRUCK - 2006 Hummer H2
  By "KURLZ" - November 15 - 5:23 am

  This is absolutely THE finest vehicle on the road (and off). I have owned two and am one of the only female drivers to attend offroad outings, which I attend alot of, and I have been rated best offroad driver on a couple (-look out boys!) might I add I take great pride in the unmatched dependability and capabilities of this machine. I absolutely, without a doubt, love it and will, from day one forward, never never never live without one (maybe even two). NOTHING can compare, I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.

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  Humming along - 2005 Hummer H2
  By mjleblanc - November 8 - 5:45 pm

  Perhaps the best SUV I have ever owned, can really go just about anywhere. Maintenance and repairs are costly, given the thievery rampant in the dealer/manufacturer scheme of hourly bilking. Gas mileage is the same as my Suburban. Love the car!