Hummer H2 SUT grabs its share of a unique market

San Diego Business Journal, August 8, 2005 by Cordell Koland

Hummer, a small but highly visible division of General Motors Corp., has been on a new product spree of sorts.

Recent announcements include the H2 SUT sport utility truck, our test vehicle, a new smaller H3, and a revision to the big daddy H1 Alpha.

Most people who have any sort of connection with the contemporary world have an opinion about Hummer. Environmentalists hate them, but there's a big enough group of people that love them and are willing to keep the brand alive and, well, humming.

Hummer, at least in part due to GM's special pricing, is breaking out of its sales slump. The H2 had its best month in a long time in June and is about even for the year. Meanwhile, Hummer is taking several steps to lighten its fuel-hungry image. The company has developed an experimental hydrogen-powered H2 model and is sharing it with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is an enthusiastic advocate of the brand, but who also is seen as an environmental advocate.

"The H2H is a bold experiment that along with the Hydrogen Highway Network will help California demonstrate the economic and technical viability of hydrogen," he said.

Hydrogen is tomorrow's fuel and in terms of meeting present needs, the company has just released a smaller model with a modest five-cylinder engine. Imagine? The midsize H3 SUV, which features a 3.5-liter, 220-horsepower five-cylinder engine, is already off to a strong start in the sales department.

Back in Hummer's traditional full-size market, the new 2005 H2 SUT, our test vehicle, is a variation on the big H2 SUV and offers the advantages of a crew cab pickup.

To my mind, the Hummer H2 is an assortment of contradictions, and that's why it's so interesting. First off, for a vehicle that has such a bold, macho, in-your-face image, it is remarkably refined. The interior is luxurious--bathed in rich black leather.

The driver's seat is one of the most comfortable I've tested. If you ever go off-road in a Hummer, the seat could be a lifesaver.

While we're discussing luxury amenities, GM's OnStar communications and XM Satellite Radio contribute to both safety and enjoyment. OnStar combines a Global Positioning System, the vehicle's cellular phone with access to a 24-hour center staffed by real people.

OnStar operators can deliver directions, provide a host of emergency services, plus supply the location of nearby stores, banks, service stations, hotels and restaurants and even make reservations. This system could be a boon to travelers on long, cross-country trips.

XM Satellite Radio is one of my favorite automotive accessories and offers more than 100 channels of unique, high-definition audio broadcast from space. The XM system delivered a banquet of jazz, blues and classical programming. Although the programming seems biased to rock music, there is substantial space allowed to other genres.

Back to the H2 SUT and the contradictions, it's surprising just how little utility you do get in what's promoted as a truck, although there's gobs of room for the driver and three passengers. The actual truck bed is only 35 inches long, although it's wide and very deep. As cargo needs dictate, however, a longer 4-foot-by-6-foot pickup bed can be created by lowering the rear window into the midgate, then folding the midgate and rear seat forward. At this point, you've also displaced the rear seat passengers.

Another contradiction is the relative performance offered bv the H2 SUT.

Given the vehicle's size, I'd expected it to be a huge slug on the road.

Even though the vehicle weighs more than 3 tons, the 6.0-liter, 325-horsepower Vortec V-8 delivers excellent power, even for passing on mountain inclines. The suspension allows for very little body lean and, even on moderately demanding mountain roads, I found the handling to be quite acceptable, particularly given the Hummer's heft.

The handling and overall driving experience would be enhanced by a steering system that delivered better on-center experience with a related increase in turning resistance as one moved the wheel from its centered position.

Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@mac. com.

Hummer H2 SUT

Price as tested: $52,205.

Engine:

Type: 6.0-liter V-8.

Horsepower: 325 @ 5,200 rpm.

Torque: 365 foot-pounds @ 4,000 rpm.

Curb weight: 6,400 pounds.