When most people think of a Hummer, they think of a gas-guzzling, heavy SUV with a horrible fuel economy.
But what kind of MPG do Hummers actually get?
The Hummer H1, which was the first model achieves 10 to 16 mpg. However, the latest versions of the Hummer (H2 & H3) can drive up to 20 miles per gallon.
Continue reading to discover how you can get better gas mileage on a Hummer, and how their fuel economy compares to similar-sized SUVs.
How Many MPG Does A Hummer H1 Get?
The first Hummer H1 trucks featured diesel engines with an average fuel efficiency rating of 10 mpg.
Subsequent models maintained the same mpg although they came with more powerful gasoline engines.
Here is a breakdown of the fuel efficiency rating of the most popular Hummer H1 models.
Model | MPG |
Hummer H1 (2004) 1.5L Gas | 13.9 (city) 16 (highway) |
Hummer H1 (2008) 1.7L Diesel | 13.8 (city) 16.6 (highway) |
Hummer H1 (2001) 1.2L Gas | 13.8 (city) 16.6 (highway) |
How Many MPG Does A Hummer H2 Get?
The Hummer H2 has an average mpg of 12, and it comes with a larger fuel tank compared to the H1.
Here’s an overview of what to expect with the Hummer H2 in terms of mpg
Model | MPG |
Hummer H2 (2004) 1.5L Gas | 3 (city) 15 (highway) |
Hummer H2 (2008) 1.7L Diesel | 14 (city) 16 (highway) |
Hummer H2 (2001) 1.2L Gas | 12 (city) 14 (highway) |
How Many MPG Does A Hummer H3 Get?
The Hummer H3 has a fuel economy rating that ranges from 16 to 20 mpg, depending on the model and where you are driving.
Here are the popular H3 models and their average fuel consumption.
Model | MPG |
Hummer H3 (2004) 1.5L Gas | 14 (city) 18 (highway) |
Hummer H3 (2008) 1.7L Diesel | 16 (city) 18 (highway) |
Hummer H3 (2001) 1.2L Gas | 14 (city) 16 (highway) |
Are Hummers Fuel Efficient?
Let’s face it.
The first Hummer models were not fuel-efficient.
But with the demand for fuel-efficient cars rising every day, the manufacturers of the Hummer are now producing fuel-efficient models.
The Hummer H3 now has a fuel economy rating similar to other midsize SUVs.
It comes with 16 mpg (city) and 20 mpg (highway), making it one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its class.
Reports are emerging that General Motors is planning to release the Hummer EV sometime in 2021.
This Hummer model will be fully electric, meaning car buyers won’t need to judge it based on its gas mileage.
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Why Do Hummers Use So Much Gas?
Hummer was initially a military vehicle, so it was not built with fuel efficiency in mind.
Hummers are big, heavy cars with very poor aerodynamics. The aerodynamic drag coupled with the powerful engine leads to higher fuel consumption.
Generally speaking, the larger the vehicle, the more fuel it consumes, and Hummers are BIG.
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How Many Gallons Of Fuel Does The Average Hummer Hold?
The gallons of fuel an average hummer can hold depends on its tank capacity.
Different Hummer models have varying fuel tank capacities.
Hummer H1 Fuel Capacity
The Hummer H1 (92, 93, and 94 models) has an average fuel tank capacity of 25 gallons while the Hummer H1 of 1995 can hold up to 23 gallons.
The H1 diesel model also has a tank capacity of 25 gallons.
Hummer H1 models produced from 1996 to 2004 have two fuel tanks.
Each tank can hold 21 gallons for a grand total of 42 gallons.
The 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha has the largest fuel tank capacity as it can hold up to 51.5 gallons.
Hummer H2 Fuel Capacity
The Hummer H2 has an improved fuel tank capacity with all H2 models capable of holding up to 32 gallons.
Then again, all H2s come with gasoline engines that make them more powerful compared to their predecessors.
Hummer H3 Fuel Capacity
The Hummer H3 models can hold up to 23 gallons when full.
As you can see, the H3 has the lowest fuel tank capacity at 23 gallons.
However, like any other car, you can buy a replacement fuel tank to increase your car’s capacity.
Increasing the fuel tank’s capacity has no impact on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
However, improved capacity increases the driving range.
For instance, the H1 Alpha 2006 has a range of up to 570 miles in between fill-ups while the H2 Hummer can travel up to 450 miles.
The average H3 can cover up to 392 miles on a full tank.
How Much Money Does It Take To Fill Up A Hummer?
Hummer Model | Full Tank Cost |
H1 | $102.50 |
H2 | $80 |
H3 | $57.5 |
The average US price of gasoline in 2020 is $2.50 per gallon.
This means if you own a Hummer H1 that has two tanks, you will spend $102.50 for a full tank.
The Hummer H2 has a fuel tank capacity of 32 gallons. This translates to $80 for a full tank.
The Hummer H3 has the lowest fuel capacity at 23 gallons. This requires $57.5 to fill up your Hummer H3 truck.
How Can You Get Better Gas Mileage On Hummers?
If you are looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle, then the Hummer is certainly not your go-to option.
This mid-size SUV has a poor reputation as far as gas mileage is concerned.
However, this does not take away its upsides.
Like most cars, you can also improve your Hummer’s gas mileage for a great driving experience. Here are your best options.
1. Drive Slower
The easiest way to improve the fuel economy of your Hummer is to drive slowly. Your Hummer’s thirst for gas increases with speed thus driving slowly would save on gas.
2. Change Your Oil Regularly
Another viable option is to change the engine oil every 3,000 miles.
Dirty, sludgy oil decreases fuel economy since the engine has to work harder to meet performance requirements.
3. Tuning Chip
You can also install a SuperChip FlashPac engine tuner to cut back on fuel consumption. The tuning chip optimizes the engine thus improving performance and fuel efficiency.
4. Smaller Tires
A less reliable, but practical, option is to fit your Hummer with the smallest tires possible.
Large tires have a wide circumference hence they require more engine power to rotate. This leads to reduced fuel economy.
5. Check Tire Pressure
Check that the tires are well inflated.
Tires with low pressure tend to create more friction between your car and the road. This reduces fuel efficiency as your car has to work against the force of friction.
6. Use Synthetic Fuel
Another easy way to better gas mileage is to use synthetic fuel.
Some pump stations offer adulterated fuel that has a higher mileage per gallon.
However, be sure to check with your mechanic that the synthetic mixture will not affect your engine.
Hummer vs Jeep Gas Mileage
The Hummer and the Jeep fall in the same category when it comes to gas mileage.
However, the Jeep tends to have an upper hand in fuel efficiency.
The first Hummer models came with 7-10 mpg with later versions capable of reaching 14-18 mpg.
The earliest Jeep models, on the other hand, averaged 13-18 mpg with the latest versions averaging 22-29 mpg.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to see that the Hummer SUV was not intended for the fuel-conscious driver.
However, if you want to enjoy the great on-and-off-road capabilities of this machine, and save on mileage, then follow our tips above.