First vs Second Gen Hummer

[pdxrealtor]

How much better is the 08-09 H2 driving experience?

Is the gas mileage any better?

Rattles?

Same basic 'gremlins' the first gen have or are some gone?

I know I can test drive one - but I'm looking for some opinions from those who have driven one for a while.

I'm looking at upgrading to an 08-09 new SUT model.

[HummerJim]

My experience with the 2nd generation is limited to a four day loaner from Lynch Hummer. The most obvious difference is the interior, and the engine is seat of the pants more powerful. It is quieter inside, but the one thing I didn't like is that being tall I couldn't rest my arm on the ledge by the window - there isn't one on the second generation door panel. Overall, I liked it better than my 2006, but they went out of production before I could purchase one. On the used market, they command considerably more dollars in this area than the first generation.

[HummerMann]

The second generation is MUCH more powerful! 393 hp vs 325 hp and the torque comes in at a lower RPM on the second generation.
2005 Hummer H2 SUT Compare Car


0-60 mph 9.5 | Quarter mile 17.1


2008 Hummer H2 SUT Compare Car


0-60 mph 7.9 | Quarter mile 15.8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11wBxzF4tQg
150 km/hr video = 93 mph

[pdxrealtor]

Ya I was looking last night and noticed the increased torque numbers also.

I also noticed the ridiculous price tag on the 08 SUTs! Good God. I could buy an 06, strip the interior then sound proof it. Add a blower, beefed up tranny, and chip and still come out a head on dollars spent.

I just don't know if that would get me the smoother ride I'm looking for, that I think the 08 might possess.

[HummerJim]

One of the reasons second gen command so much money is their rarity. They produced 6095 2008s and 599 2009s. If you want to get really rare, they only produced 49 2009 SUTs. AM General figures show that at least 700 second generation were shipped overseas, so that leaves less than 6000 of them around to choose from. When you consider they make 11,000 Tahoes a month, it puts things in perspective. Then there's the controversial safari interior in the second gen. Some say it was only in the Detroit auto show H2 and a prominent Hummer dealer says AM General put two of those interiors in towards the end of production. AM General was uncharacteristically mum on it when it was discussed in this forum. So at most there are only three of those and I've never seen one advertised. I do like the second row Captain chairs in the second row on the second gen, that gives you a pass through to the cargo area and makes taking skis or any long items like 2 X 4s a no sweat issue.

[Z06RB]

About a month after I bought my 09 LUX SUV the dealer received a matching SUT. My regret is that I didn't have the money to purchase it also.

[ryaleon]

I had an 04 for about 2 years and have had my 08 about 2 years now. The 08 interior does not like as hummerish but the quality of it is miles ahead of the first gen. The exterior is basically the same as the first gens from what I can tell. The 6.2 is much more powerful than the 6.0. Mpg is improved quite a bit. I am supercharged and see 12-13 mpg at 75 mph. Overall I'd say the 08 is a much better vehicle.

[LoJac963]

Originally Posted by ryaleon

Mpg is improved quite a bit. I am supercharged and see 12-13 mpg at 75 mph. Overall I'd say the 08 is a much better vehicle.

12-13? I get 11 all day long at 75 mph in my 06 bone stock other than a Volant intake and AirDoc tube. Just my opinion but I wouldn't consider 2mpg a massive improvement.

[ryaleon]

Well I'm supercharged with 37s as well. So I imagine a stock 08-09 would be better than 12. You're 06 must have liked you more than my 04 liked me. At 75 mph I didn't see double digit mpg numbers unless I was going downhill. I did have the same 37s I have now though so maybe that has something to do with it.

[Z06RB]

In 03 I test drove the H2 and told the salesman that it seemed under powered. My 09 has much more power.

[LoJac963]

Originally Posted by ryaleon

Well I'm supercharged with 37s as well. So I imagine a stock 08-09 would be better than 12. You're 06 must have liked you more than my 04 liked me. At 75 mph I didn't see double digit mpg numbers unless I was going downhill. I did have the same 37s I have now though so maybe that has something to do with it.

I don't doubt 37's make a big change to the mpg for the worse. Part of me wishes I went with 37's when I bought my wheels but I guess keeping close to stock kept the mpg a little better. Maybe next time I buy tires I'll give 37's a shot, should be able to still fit in the garage with those.

[ryaleon]

I was actually considering going to 35s when I get a new set of tires