The GMC Hummer EV has arrived, and it’s impossible to ignore. This all-electric truck is making waves with its sheer size, powerful performance, and audacious design. But with a hefty price tag and some unconventional features, potential buyers are asking: is the Hummer EV truly worth it? We spent a week putting the Hummer EV Edition 1 through its paces to deliver a comprehensive review, digging into everything from on-road driving to off-road adventures, and efficiency to interior comforts. Here’s our in-depth take on whether this electric giant lives up to the hype.
Size and Dimensions: A Modern Behemoth
While the Hummer EV might be labeled “gargantuan,” its length is surprisingly similar to rivals like the Rivian R1T. However, its width is where it truly sets itself apart. The Hummer EV’s substantial girth necessitates front running lights, and the expansive windshield demands three wipers to keep things clear. From the driver’s seat, the passenger feels miles away, creating a truly individual driving experience. This generous width, while providing a sense of personal space, does impact visibility.
The Hummer EV’s considerable width results in significant side blind spots. Drivers will heavily rely on the blind spot monitoring system to navigate lane changes and tight spots. Forward visibility is also compromised by the short windshield and long hood, requiring extra caution in urban environments and on winding roads. The digital rear camera mirror, with its wide-angle lens, is a welcome feature, enhancing rearward vision. However, the vehicle’s sheer size and weight are undeniable factors in everyday driving, demanding attentiveness and careful maneuvering.
The immense size of the GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 is highlighted in this front three-quarters view, showcasing its wide stance and imposing front fascia.
Driving Experience and Performance: Power and Terror
The Hummer EV’s heft is undeniable, primarily due to its massive 205kWh battery pack, enabling a claimed 350 miles of range. This substantial battery contributes to the truck’s weight exceeding 9,000 pounds, a figure that is palpable from the driver’s seat, particularly during braking. Every pound is felt, reminding you of the sheer mass you are piloting.
Engage “Watts to Freedom” (WTF) mode, and the Hummer EV transforms into a rocket. The tri-motor setup unleashes a staggering 1,000 horsepower, launching this behemoth from 0 to 60mph in a GMC-estimated three seconds. The acceleration is undeniably exhilarating, a true spectacle of electric power. However, the immense speed combined with the vehicle’s weight makes stopping a genuinely nerve-wracking experience. The immense momentum requires considerable stopping distance, urging drivers to exercise extreme caution and foresight.
The tested Edition 1 is equipped with GM’s Super Cruise, a hands-free driver-assistance system. This technology manages throttle, brakes, and steering on compatible roads, provided the driver maintains focus. Super Cruise can execute lane changes and adapt to merging traffic. However, the sheer mass of the Hummer EV can erode confidence in the automatic braking system, especially in sudden stop situations. Many drivers might find themselves instinctively overriding the system and manually applying the brakes for added assurance.
Interior and Technology: Utility Over Luxury
The Hummer EV’s interior prioritizes utility over outright luxury. The cabin design, while robust, lacks the leather appointments expected at this price point. Although heated and cooled seats are included, features like massage seats, common in vehicles in this price bracket, are absent. The removable roof panels are a unique touch, offering an open-air experience, but they contribute to significant wind noise, particularly at highway speeds. The combination of off-road tires and the boxy silhouette results in a noticeably noisy cabin environment, diminishing the serene quietness often associated with EVs.
A detailed view of the Hummer EV’s 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, highlighting the Unreal Engine-powered graphics and user interface, along with the utilitarian dashboard design.
The Hummer EV’s driver-focused cockpit, showcasing the digital gauge cluster and steering wheel controls, emphasizing the blend of modern technology and rugged design.
The 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is a tech highlight. The graphics, powered by the Unreal Engine – the same platform behind Fortnite – are visually impressive and responsive. The integration of Google’s built-in software, including Google Maps, adds to the system’s functionality. The digital gauge cluster, while smaller, is configurable and user-friendly, providing essential driving information through steering wheel controls.
Close-up of the Hummer EV’s distinctive interior design elements, featuring the bronze accents and rugged materials, illustrating the blend of futuristic and utilitarian aesthetics.
An interior shot of the Hummer EV, highlighting the spacious cabin and the removable transparent roof panels, showcasing the open-air driving experience.
Off-Road Capabilities: A Mixed Bag
Taking the Hummer EV off-road reveals a mix of impressive features and surprising limitations. Venturing into the challenging terrain of Johnson Valley, California, home of the King of the Hammers race, immediately necessitates airing down the 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires. The Hummer EV’s air-down feature simplifies this process, automatically reaching the preset pressure and signaling with a horn. Setting the tires to 34psi from a street pressure of 49psi provides enhanced traction for off-road driving.
Switching to Off-Road mode unleashes the full force of the Hummer EV’s torque. While GMC’s claimed 11,500 lb-ft of torque is a calculated figure, the available power is undeniable. This mode optimizes power delivery and engages the rear steering for enhanced maneuverability. However, the inclusion of artificial engine noise in Off-Road mode is a drawback for EV off-road enthusiasts who appreciate the natural sounds of the environment.
The GMC Hummer EV tackles off-road terrain, showcasing its ground clearance and approach angle on rocky trails in Johnson Valley, California.
With 13 inches of wheel travel, the Hummer EV handles whoops reasonably well, offering a smoother ride than expected for its size thanks to the four-wheel independent air suspension. The rear steering is a standout feature, dramatically improving the truck’s agility and turning radius, making it feel surprisingly nimble for its size. The Crab Walk feature, while primarily a novelty, demonstrates the vehicle’s unique maneuverability and could be useful in extremely tight off-road situations.
However, venturing onto more challenging obstacles, like Heartbreak Hill, reveals limitations. On a steep, rocky incline, the front tires struggled for traction. Attempting to engage the front locker proved frustrating, requiring a five-second button hold – a significant delay compared to traditional off-road vehicles where lockers engage almost instantly. This delay can be critical in situations demanding immediate traction. The test vehicle failed to engage the front locker promptly, leading to a stalled ascent and a necessary retreat down the hill.
Further compounding off-road concerns is the absence of a spare tire. GMC cites packaging constraints, but for a vehicle marketed for off-road adventures, the lack of a spare is a serious oversight. Tire punctures are a common off-road occurrence, and relying solely on a plug kit or tire sealant is insufficient for many trailside repairs.
A close-up view of the Hummer EV’s front wheel articulation while navigating rocky terrain, illustrating its suspension travel and off-road capability.
The Hummer EV is pictured tackling a steep incline, emphasizing its off-roading prowess and robust design in a natural desert setting.
Rear view of the Hummer EV climbing over rocks, demonstrating its departure angle and ground clearance during an off-road test.
Side profile of the Hummer EV navigating uneven terrain, highlighting its air suspension and large off-road tires designed for challenging environments.
Efficiency and Charging: The Inefficient EV
A major drawback of the Hummer EV is its poor energy efficiency. Despite its massive battery, the Hummer EV’s range and energy consumption figures are underwhelming. Weighing approximately 2,000 pounds more than the Rivian R1T, the Hummer EV does not offer a proportionally greater range. While rated for 329 miles, the Rivian R1T, with a smaller 135kWh battery, achieves a respectable 314 miles and feels significantly more agile and easier to stop.
During off-road driving, the Hummer EV’s efficiency plummeted to a mere 0.9 mi/kWh. In comparison, the Rivian R1T, even in similar off-road conditions including soft sand, averaged 1.6 mi/kWh. On paved roads, the Hummer EV averages around 1.6 mi/kWh, while the Rivian R1T achieves approximately 2.3 mi/kWh, demonstrating a notable difference in energy consumption.
The Hummer EV charging at an Electrify America station, illustrating the vehicle’s charging port and the infrastructure required to support its large battery capacity.
In ideal conditions, the Hummer EV can utilize 350kW DC fast charging, adding 100 miles of range in about 10 minutes. However, achieving these speeds requires battery preconditioning and access to a 350kW DC fast charger. Home charging with the 11.5kW onboard charger is reasonably quick, but fully charging the massive battery from empty will still take around 12 hours.
The combination of a $110,000 price tag (including delivery) and poor energy efficiency makes the Hummer EV a difficult value proposition. While electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline, the Hummer EV’s consumption means higher charging costs compared to more efficient EVs like the Rivian R1T, which offers comparable range and performance at a lower price point and with better efficiency.
Conclusion: Cool Features, Questionable Value
The GMC Hummer EV boasts undeniably cool features, such as rear-wheel steering and exhilarating acceleration. However, these novelties are overshadowed by significant drawbacks. Its excessive weight and size hinder its off-road prowess on tighter trails, the delayed front locker engagement is a critical flaw for serious off-roading, and the lack of a spare tire is a major oversight. Coupled with underwhelming braking performance and dismal energy efficiency, the Hummer EV struggles to justify its premium price. For buyers seeking a practical, efficient, or truly luxurious EV, or a highly capable off-roader, the Hummer EV may ultimately be more show than substance, making it a vehicle best admired from afar rather than parked in your garage.
Photography by Emme Hall for The Verge
