The 2022 Gmc Hummer Ev arrives not as a subtle shift in automotive thinking, but as a declaration. It’s a vehicle designed to grab attention, to shout its presence, and to muscle its way into the electric future, even if its roots are firmly planted in a gas-guzzling past. This isn’t about practicality; it’s about making a statement. GMC aims to convert the die-hard fans of traditional trucks, the “bro-truck holdouts,” to the electric side by proving EVs can be just as, if not more, “badass.” After spending a week with this behemoth, the Hummer EV reveals itself as a paradox: technologically advanced yet strangely old-fashioned, incredibly powerful yet questionably efficient, and undeniably impressive yet ultimately flawed. Does this electric king live up to its hype, or is it a relic struggling to find its place in the modern automotive landscape? Let’s delve into the details.
Bold and Brash Design
One area where GMC unequivocally succeeds with the 2022 Hummer EV is its design. Love it or hate it, this vehicle commands attention. While the upcoming SUV version might offer a more refined silhouette, the pickup truck form factor of the initial release is undeniably imposing. Its sheer size is the first thing that strikes you. The flared fenders are massive, contributing significantly to the vehicle’s width and aggressive stance. Every dimension screams “large,” and the illuminated “HUMMER” front light bar leaves no doubt about its identity. This is a vehicle that makes its presence known, casting a literal shadow over smaller cars as it passes. It’s unapologetically in-your-face, a visual embodiment of its powerful persona.
Physics-Defying Performance
GMC launched the 2022 Hummer EV with its most potent configuration first, and the performance is genuinely mind-bending. The tri-motor setup, featuring two motors at the rear axle and one at the front, unleashes a staggering 1,000 horsepower and over 1,000 pound-feet of torque. Forget the marketing spin about “at-the-wheel torque”; the real-world acceleration is what’s truly astonishing. Despite weighing as much as one and a half GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups, the Hummer EV can launch from 0 to 60 mph in around 3 seconds. This is supercar territory, a feat that seems almost impossible for a vehicle of this size and mass. Experiencing this acceleration is disorienting, a battle between physics and engineering. The fact that it can repeat this performance consistently is genuinely impressive.
Adding to the performance prowess is GM’s lauded Super Cruise technology. This hands-free driving system, available on pre-mapped highways across the US, elevates the driving experience significantly. Even in the Hummer EV’s immense frame, Super Cruise keeps the vehicle centered in its lane with remarkable precision, navigating both straightaways and curves effortlessly. The system’s lane-changing capability is also impressively smooth. Super Cruise effectively diminishes the fatigue of long drives, requiring minimal driver intervention. It’s a standout feature that enhances the technological appeal of the 2022 GMC Hummer EV.
Tech-Forward Cabin
Beyond performance, the Hummer EV showcases a modern and tech-centric cabin. The centerpiece is a prominent 13.4-inch touchscreen, powered by the latest iteration of GM’s infotainment system and visually enhanced by Epic Games’ Unreal Engine for sharp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with integrated Google apps like Maps. The large display facilitates split-screen functionality, allowing for simultaneous use of navigation and smartphone mirroring. Complementing the central screen is a customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, providing a wealth of driver information in a visually appealing format. These technological features contribute to a contemporary and user-friendly in-cabin experience.
Interior Disappointments
However, once the initial excitement of the Hummer EV’s performance and technology subsides, closer inspection reveals significant shortcomings, particularly in interior quality. While the cabin design may initially impress, the materials used are surprisingly subpar for a vehicle in this price range. Despite its pickup truck and open-air vehicle aspirations, necessitating a degree of durability, the overwhelming use of hard, cheap plastic on the dashboard and center console feels reminiscent of a budget rental car. Leather is sparingly used, primarily on the seats and steering wheel. Materials that appear to be leather on door panels and armrests are actually rubberized substitutes, which, while visually interesting, feel out of place in a vehicle costing upwards of $100,000. Even accessing the center armrest cubby reveals exposed bolts and more hard plastic, details unbecoming of a vehicle priced in the realm of Range Rovers.
Further cost-cutting measures are evident in the lack of illumination for headlight and wiper stalks, as well as physical climate control switches. This omission makes nighttime operation less intuitive, requiring drivers to memorize switchgear locations. The absence of auto-up windows, attributed to issues with the vertical window design, is another surprising oversight, especially when competitors like Ford have seemingly resolved similar challenges in vehicles like the Bronco.
Ergonomics also present some oddities. The shifter is excessively large, making comfortable gripping difficult even for larger hands. The rear glass angle causes distracting reflections of the infotainment screen in the rearview mirror at night, hindering visibility. The zoomed-in passenger-side mirror, presumably due to its distance from the driver, complicates parking and lane changes, making these maneuvers more challenging than necessary.
Ride quality, while decent, doesn’t quite match expectations. Despite its immense weight and off-road tires, the ride can feel somewhat stiff and flinty, suggesting a performance-oriented suspension tuning that compromises everyday comfort. Road noise from the tires is noticeable, compounded by wind noise entering the cabin through the T-tops and around the steeply raked windshield and mirrors, making for a far from quiet driving experience.
Efficiency and Value Concerns
Perhaps the most significant drawback of the 2022 GMC Hummer EV is its extreme inefficiency. While boasting a respectable 329-mile range, achieving this requires a massive 200+ kWh battery pack, roughly double the capacity of most EVs with comparable range. Real-world range in colder conditions diminishes further, with tests yielding around 230 miles on a charge, translating to a consumption rate of over 1.1 kWh per mile – significantly less efficient than other EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 under similar conditions.
The benefit of the Ultium platform is its 350kW DC fast-charging capability, allowing for rapid replenishment. However, the sheer size of the battery means charging sessions are effectively equivalent to charging two “normal” EVs back-to-back.
The fundamental question arises: is this level of inefficiency justifiable? The immense battery capacity could power two more efficient EVs, like the Chevy Equinox or Blazer EV. While other manufacturers prioritize accessible and efficient EVs for a broader market, GMC has focused on a high-priced, low-efficiency “moonshot” for a niche clientele.
The as-tested price of $110,295, including destination charges, further exacerbates the value proposition. While lower-spec, more affordable Hummer EV variants are planned, the Edition 1 model reviewed here demands a price comparable to luxury SUVs like the Range Rover or Mercedes EQS, vehicles offering superior interior quality and refinement. For the same money, one could purchase two Ford F-150 Lightning Pro electric trucks, highlighting the questionable value of the 2022 GMC Hummer EV in its current top-tier trim.
Conclusion: A Powerful Statement, But at What Cost?
The 2022 GMC Hummer EV is undeniably a statement vehicle. It showcases impressive performance, advanced technology like Super Cruise, and a bold, attention-grabbing design. However, beneath the surface of its headline-grabbing features lie significant drawbacks. The interior quality is disappointing for its price point, efficiency is shockingly poor, and the overall value proposition is questionable. While it proves that electric vehicles can be “badass” and capture the essence of the Hummer legacy in an electric form, it also feels like a vehicle out of step with the broader EV market’s direction towards efficiency and affordability. The Hummer EV demonstrates that electrification alone won’t fundamentally change consumer desires for large, attention-grabbing vehicles, even if their practicality and environmental impact remain debatable. It’s a powerful, if flawed, entry into the electric truck segment, leaving one to ponder if its sheer presence justifies its considerable compromises.
