While the Hummer isn’t in production, it’s still a popular vehicle on the used market.
However, it has gained a bad reputation for its paltry gas mileage.
The average Hummer mpg varies from model to model.
Different model years, engine types, and vehicle size all play a role in the Hummer’s gas mileage.
The average Hummer mpg falls around 10 to 12, though some can get better gas mileage.
Keep reading to learn more about the various Hummer models’ gas mileage and what can affect your gas mileage.
Why Does the Hummer Use a Ton of Gas?
The Hummer model H1 weighs more than 8,000 pounds, but even the model H2 and H3 are heavy.
That extra weight requires more fuel to move the vehicle.
All three models also needed a powerful engine that helps with off-roading, one of the Hummer’s best features.
Another reason the model H2 and H1 use a ton of gas is that they don’t have good aerodynamics.
That makes it harder for them to move efficiently, especially when it’s windy.
The vehicles have a lot of drag, and it can feel like you’re driving a big brick.
As you increase your speed, you’ll need to use more fuel to drive a Hummer.
However, many people love Hummers for their ability to go off-roading, so the speed isn’t often a concern.
And the Hummer’s fuel economy isn’t much different from other large trucks.
It’s normal for all of the Hummer models to use a lot of gas. They need the extra fuel to make up for the large size.
Fuel Economy: H1
The Hummer model H1 is probably the most popular model, and it was in production the longest.
Early models had a diesel engine, and gas wasn’t the main fuel until the 1995 and 1996 models.
Even still, the Hummer model H1 has relatively low gas mileage compared to a lot of vehicles.
If you’re looking for an efficient vehicle for the city, the Hummer isn’t for you. But it can be an excellent vehicle if you want to drive it off-road.
The Hummer mpg for the H1 is about 10 miles per gallon.
While the gas-powered models were a bit more efficient, they didn’t get much better than 11 mpg.
The 2006 H1 Alpha was one of the best models, and it gets about 10 mpg.
Some Hummer owners have tracked their fuel efficiency.
Owners have reported an average efficiency of 9.6 mpg on the H1 from 2002. One owner was able to get up to 11.1 mpg on his gas-powered H1.
But what the H1 lacks on the road, it makes up for off the road.
If you want to have an adventure, the H1 is sturdy enough to go just about anywhere.
Fuel Economy: H2
The Hummer H1 is the biggest, and the model H2 is in the middle, with a relatively small engine compared to the H1.
Still, the model H2 fuel economy isn’t much better.
Even with a compact design, the model H2 still only gets about 9.2 to 12.6 mpg.
Exact measurements vary between model years, with the 2009 H2 fairing the best.
The 2009 H2 with a 6.2 L V8 engine does the best and can hit that 12.6 mpg mark.
Unfortunately, the 2003 model H2 that uses a 6.0 L V8 engine only gets about 9.6 mpg.
The model H2 SUT can get about 12 mpg across about 1,600 miles, and it could even reach 13 mpg on highways.
That’s pretty good for vehicles of its size.
It can be hard to find official data on Hummer fuel efficiency.
Luckily, many Hummer owners have been able to track their vehicle’s mileage, so you can use that data for an average.
Fuel Economy: H3
The other main Hummer model, the H3, is the smallest Hummer available.
Because of that, it does have better, more accurate gas mileage than its larger siblings.
It’s also a much better option for people who want a Hummer but want something practical for in town.
The 2006, 2007, and 2008 H3s all have a combined mpg of 14. They can get about 13 mpg in the city and 16 mpg on highways.
The 2009 H3 gets about 14 mpg in cities and 18 on highways, and combined, its fuel efficiency is 15 mpg.
And the 2010 Hummer H3 is similar, with the only difference being a combined fuel efficiency of 16 mpg.
All of the Hummer H3s use gasoline engines and weigh significantly less than the H1 and even the model H2.
They also come with either a manual or automatic transmission, and the differences don’t affect the fuel economy.
How Does the Fuel Economy Compare to Other Trucks?
When you think of a Hummer, you probably know that it uses a lot of gas.
However, it’s important to compare them to similar vehicles rather than other, smaller cars.
Ford F-450 vs. Hummer H1
The Hummer model H1 weighs about 8,100 pounds with the heaviest specs.
Meanwhile, the Ford F-450 weighs about 8,600 pounds.
Both of these trucks can get about 10 to 12 mpg, though the exact efficiency depends on the year, speed, and other factors.
Ford F-250 vs. Hummer H2
The best truck to compare the model H2 to is a Ford F-250, which weighs about 6,000 pounds.
At 6,400 pounds, the Hummer model H2 is a little bigger, and it can get up to 15 mpg on highways.
Driving a Ford F-250 will give you similar results, with up to 15.5 mpg.
Both trucks can be a good option, so don’t let fuel efficiency affect your decision.
Jeep Commander and Chrysler Aspen vs. Hummer H3
With a combined fuel efficiency of about 14 to 16 mpg, the Hummer H3 is the most efficient.
You can get 13 to 14 mpg in cities and 16 to 18 on the highway.
It also weighs about 4,600 pounds, making it much lighter than the other Hummers.
You can compare the H3 to the Jeep Commander and the Chrysler Aspen.
Those trucks get about 14 mpg in cities and about 19 mpg on highways.
No matter what Hummer you choose, it will get about the same gas mileage as trucks of a similar size.
Of course, it can be easy to complain about its efficiency, or lack thereof, but you should compare it to other large models for a more accurate depiction.
What’s the Hummer Limo’s Fuel Economy?
If you want to get a limo from Hummer for a night out, you may want to know about its fuel economy.
The limo has the same basic design as the model H2, so it doesn’t have the best mileage. But it’s not as bad as a model like the H1.
The limo gets gas mileage under 10 mpg at best.
However, some limos only get about 3 mpg because of the size. It also uses a lot of power to run the entertainment system even when it’s idling.
If you want to rent a limo, consider that you can enjoy its other amenities besides speed.
When you have a limo, you want to relax and enjoy yourself with company. You probably don’t care about having the best fuel efficiency.
How Big Is a Hummer Fuel Tank?
Along with the fuel efficiency, you should consider how much fuel a Hummer can hold.
That way, you can determine how often you’ll need to refill the tank to get to your destination.
Fuel Capacity: H1
When the H1 came out in 1992, 1993, and 1994, it had a 25-gallon tank.
Because they could go roughly 10 mpg, that limited the range to 250 miles at best.
If you have or want to have one of the early models, you’ll need to keep an eye on your fuel and refill often.
When Hummer introduced the gasoline engine H1 in 1995, it came with a smaller tank that could hold 23 gallons.
This was because the vehicle needed space for vapor and the fuel pump. However, the diesel models still had the 25-gallon tank.
Still, these models didn’t have great gas mileage.
At only 7 to 11 mpg, the H1 could go 275 miles at best and 161 miles at worst.
Starting in 1996, the H1 had 2 fuel tanks, and they can hold 42 gallons total.
That almost doubled the H1’s range, so it can be worth getting one of the newer models if you don’t like stopping for gas.
And if you want the biggest tank of them all, the 2006 model H1 Alpha can hold around 51 gallons.
That means you could go up to 500 miles on a single tank, assuming you maintain an average of 10 mpg.
Fuel Capacity: H2
Despite its smaller frame, the model H2 has a 32-gallon fuel tank.
And because they all use gasoline, Hummer H2s can go for about 415 miles without needing to stop to refuel.
That can be very convenient, especially considering the design and the fact that it’s still big.
Fuel Capacity: H3
Being the smallest Hummer, it makes sense that the H3 would have the smallest fuel tank.
The tank can hold up to 23 gallons, and it can get closer to 18 mpg on highways.
That means you can get up to 414 miles with the best economy. Of course, it can depend on the transmission and model.
How Much Will You Spend on a Full Tank of Gas?
Another thing to consider when looking at Hummer mpg and other stats is how much gas will cost you.
In the US, the average price for a gallon of gas varies per location and per day, but it tends to be around $3.
A Hummer model H1 with two tanks will cost about $126 to fill from nothing.
If you fill the tank twice a month, then you’ll spend about $3,000 per year on gas.
Meanwhile, you’ll need to spend about $96 to fill a 32-gallon H2.
Filling that tank twice per month will cost a little over $2,300 each year.
If you get an H3, you’ll need to spend $69 on average to fill the tank.
Your annual cost will be about $1,650, assuming you fill the tank twice per month.
Other factors can affect the price as well, such as your location.
Average prices can vary per region in the United States, with gulf states seeing the lowest prices and west coast states with the highest prices.
The difference between those extremes can be as much as a dollar a gallon.
If you take your Hummer to Canada, that can also impact the cost.
Canadian gallons are about 20 percent larger than American gallons, so the price will probably be higher.
Also, oil prices can fluctuate even within the same location. You may see a higher or lower price between trips to the gas station.
And if you get a higher quality gas to decrease fuel emissions or increase mileage, that can affect the overall price.
How to Get Better Mileage From A Hummer
If you’re getting a Hummer, fuel economy probably isn’t your main reason.
The H3 can be a good compromise if you want some efficiency, but some Hummer fans don’t consider it a real Hummer.
Luckily, you can do a few things to maximize your Hummer’s fuel economy.
Use Synthetic Fuel
Some synthetic fuels contain additives that improve your Hummer mpg.
You may notice that you get better gas mileage when you buy from a different gas station.
If you find a station that gives you better mileage, you can go back to get that same type of fuel.
Get an Engine Tuning Chip
You can also use a SuperChip FlashPac tuner to improve your Hummer mpg.
The tuner can help optimize the engine, so it can have better performance.
Then, it can also have a better fuel economy.
Install Aftermarket Parts
Another thing you can try is to install other accessories. Some owners have used aftermarket modifications to improve mileage.
You can try installing a Magnaflow Exhaust and a Cold Air Intake to get an extra three or four miles per gallon.
Removing the spare tire, crossbar, and other things in your Hummer may also help.
Taking those things out can lower the vehicle weight, making it slightly more efficient.
However, you shouldn’t alter anything that will affect your safety.
You also need to follow any laws surrounding what your car needs to have.
Also, consider if the modifications will save you money on fuel and, if so, if it’s worth the cost of the alterations.
Check Your Tire Pressure
You should also keep an eye on your tire pressure and inflate your tires when the pressure decreases.
Having tires with low pressure can cause more friction, which reduces the fuel economy.
Get some good quality tires and keep them full to maximize your Hummer mpg.
Drive Slower
If you aren’t in a hurry, you can also save gas by driving slower.
Driving a Hummer really fast can lower your fuel economy, and you can risk destroying the transfer case.
Give yourself some extra time, and you can save a bit of money on gas.
If you can’t take extra time, you may not want to drive your Hummer.
Not only can it use a lot of gas when it goes fast, but it can be a lot harder to drive at higher speeds due to poor aerodynamics.
Switch to Two-Wheel Drive
A Hummer with four-wheel drive can weigh about 400 pounds more than the same one with two-wheel drive.
If you’re buying a Hummer, you can look for one with two-wheel drive to simplify things.
But if you own a Hummer with four-wheel drive, you can turn it off.
Switching to two-wheel drive can reduce the work your engine needs to do and the load it needs to support.
While you may want four-wheel drive when off-roading, you can use two-wheel drive when you’re in the city or on the highway.
What About the Original Humvee?
The Humvee was the inspiration for the Hummer, and it has even lower gas mileage than the H1, H2, and H3.
While the exact Hummer mpg varies between Humvees, it averages around 4 mpg in cities and about 8 mpg on highways.
However, it’s important to remember that the Humvee is for the military. Its main purpose is to transport materials and troops, and speed isn’t a huge priority.
Final Words
If you want to prioritize good gas mileage, the Hummer isn’t the best vehicle for you.
It is the best vehicle if you want a powerful vehicle that you can use in town and for off-roading.
That is where the Hummer’s size and design is the best.