5 Reasons Why The Hummer EV Is The Most Advanced Pickup Truck To Date - story Go to full screen story Fullscreen

5 Reasons Why The Hummer EV Is The Most Advanced Pickup Truck To Date

Thanks to the 1,000 horsepower on tap, the GMC Hummer EV launches to 60 mph in just three seconds, with an interior that takes inspiration from the 1960 Apollo lunar rover

by Sourav Banik on May 27, 2024, 21:30

The Hummer is an iconic American vehicle that has made a bold transition into the electric age. Originally designed as a military vehicle for the U.S. Army, it captured civilian hearts when a street-legal version debuted in 1992. Its rugged design, immense power, and off-road prowess made it a symbol of American automotive culture before being discontinued in 2008.

In 2020, GMC resurrected its nameplate with the all-electric Hummer EV pickup, shocking the automotive world. The modern e-Humvee packs a monstrous 1,000 horsepower from its electric motors while boasting an impressive 15.9 inches of ground clearance. It also features the innovative CrabWalk mode that allows diagonal driving over tough terrain, leaving even seasoned off-roaders in awe.

Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a high-tech cabin with dual large screens and intuitive controls that make accessing the incredible off-road capabilities a breeze. For an open-air driving experience, the removable roof panels allow you to enjoy a convertible-like feel.

The Hummer EV comes in two trims: the 2X starting at $98,845 and the new 3X at $106,945. While the price is steep, it currently reigns as the meanest off-road pickup truck you can buy. Its unmatched ground clearance, extreme off-road performance, and decent towing and payload capacities make it an off-roader’s dream. Let’s explore five key reasons why this electric beast is leaving the competition behind.

1. The Hummer EV SUT is currently the most powerful pickup truck

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The Hummer EV SUT, powered by an electric powertrain, is available in two trims: 2X and 3X. The 2X features dual e-motors, producing 625 horsepower. The 3X, on the other hand, uses three high-performance e-motors, generating a staggering 1,000 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just three seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 11.7 seconds.

The Hummer nameplate has always been synonymous with raw power and exceptional off-road capabilities. The gas-powered Humvees from the 2010s featured 300-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 engines, providing decent power for various needs. However, with the electrification of the new Humvee, GM has endowed this truck with power that puts other trucks to shame.

The e-Hummer pickup boasts an immensely powerful electric powertrain that can astonish you with its muscle. The Hummer truck is offered in two trims, EV2X and EV3X, each providing different power outputs. The 2X is powered by dual e-motors, combining to produce up to 625 horsepower.

The 3X is the star of the show, featuring three high-performance e-motors: one at the front axle and two powering the rear wheels. This tri-motor setup generates a hefty 1,000 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. This bonkers powertrain output translates to 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds and a quarter-mile in 11.7 seconds. Such numbers will leave many gas-fed supercars bewildered on the track. Considering that it weighs 9,063 pounds, the Hummer e-truck is the heaviest pickup truck on the market, but it doesn’t fall short of impressing us.

In comparison with other e-trucks, the Hummer EV SUT shines with its shocking speeds. The Rivian R1T, for example, uses four e-motors, one on each wheel, to develop 835 horsepower and 908 pound-feet of torque. This allows it to reach 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 11.7 seconds. The Ford F-150 Lightning, on the other hand, uses a 580-horsepower dual e-motor unit producing 775 pound-feet, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds.

Trucks GMC Hummer EV SUT Rivian R1T Ford F-150 Lightning
Powertrain Type Electric Electric Electric
Motor Count 3 4 2
Power 1,000 hp 835 hp 580 hp
Torque 1,200 lb-ft 908 lb-ft 775 lb-ft
0-60 MPH 3.0 seconds 3.1 seconds 3.8 seconds
Quarter-Mile 11.7 seconds 11.7 seconds 12.4 seconds

2. The GMC Hummer EV boasts 15.9 inches of ground clearance

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GMC’s e-Humvee features adaptive air suspension, adjustable damping for different situations, and 10.1 inches of ground clearance in standard mode. The e-Hummer also has the highest ground clearance of 15.9 inches, with an "Extract Mode" feature that raises the suspension height by six inches. This enhances off-road handling and provides 32 inches of water fording capacity for small rivers and streams.

GMC originally built the Hummer to showcase its off-road abilities on the battlefield, hauling troops and heavy equipment in the most challenging terrains you can ever imagine. Similar to the DNA of the gas-fed Humvee, the e-Humvee boasts massive off-road capabilities that will leave you shocked.

While the Hummer H3 from the 2010s already impressed us with its exorbitant off-the-pavement finesse, the e-Hummer is even more capable, owing to the heap of off-road enhancements. First, the Hummer e-truck’s chassis comes equipped with an adaptive air suspension that lets you adjust the damping based on the situation.

In high-spirited driving, the suspension offers adequate stiffness to reduce the body roll and motivate more stability. If you want comfort, the suspension can be adjusted for the preferred softness. In off-roads, though, there are pre-tailored settings that bring out the best of the struts, offering you dynamic settings to reign off-roads. In standard mode, the truck offers 10.1 inches of ground clearance, which increases to 11.9 inches in Terrain Mode.

This isn’t the end of the story. Given that GM’s only goal with the Hummer EV was to “Build the most capable factory truck,” engineers ensured this truck never lacked off-road abilities. The suspension comes with an "Extract Mode" feature that elevates the suspension height by six inches to offer 15.9 inches of total ground clearance, which makes it the truck with the highest ground clearance, which will provide you with peace of mind while treading off-roads.

In addition, the higher ground clearance mediates to 49.7 degrees of approach angle, 38.4 degrees of departure angle, and 32.2 degrees of break-over angle. This will help you with enhanced handling on off-road trails. For wading small rivers and streams, this truck comes with 32 inches of water fording capacity.

Trucks GMC Hummer EV SUT Rivian R1T Ford F-150 Lightning
Ground Clearance (inches) 15.9 14.9 8.4
Approach Angle (degrees) 49.7 35.5 24.4
Breakover Angle (degrees) 32.2 26.4 17.6
Departure Angle (degrees) 38.4 30 23.6
Water Fording Capacity (inches) 32 36 24

3. It brings a selection of unique off-road features

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The GMC Hummer’s CrabWalk feature allows diagonal movement at lower speeds. The drive line includes features like G-Force Articulation, torque vectoring, e-lockers, pitch, roll angles, and chassis ride height adjustment. The underbody is protected with skid plates, rock sliders, and underbody shields. The Hummer’s UltraVision feature uses 18 different camera views, while the 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory M/T tires provide excellent grip in challenging conditions.

The GMC Hummer benefitted from a four-wheel steering system since the 2000s, which it regarded as “Quadrasteer” back in the days. So, it’s no surprise that the e-Hummer will get a modernized version of the four-wheel-steering system. The highly advanced four-wheel steer system is another standout attribute, offering two modes: Auto and CrabWalk. The Auto mode turns the rear tires in the opposite direction as the front tires at lower speeds to improve handling at lower speeds and help the truck park in tighter spots. At higher speeds, the wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels.

The segment-exclusive CrabWalk feature turns the rear and front wheels up to 10 degrees at lower speeds to enable diagonal movement. This will help you with extra maneuverability off-roads and navigate through tighter trails. So whether you are trying to articulate through the tight spot between two huge rocks or trying to park in a tight parking spot, the CrabWalk will come in handy.

The drive line provides several off-road widgets like the G-Force Articulation function for optimizing the tire’s traction in lateral and longitudinal movements, ensuring your truck gets maximum grip on uneven surfaces. You also get a torque vectoring widget which will help you choose among various torque distribution settings to provide more confidence while taking sharp turns. Other important off-road widgets like e-locker management system, pitch, and roll angles (with maximum values) and chassis ride height adjustment further help you customize settings during off-road adventures.

Apart from these, the Hummer offers front e-lockers, which can lock the front wheels and send up to 100 percent of the torque to max the grip. Since the Hummer comes with a bed-mounted battery and most of its electronics are placed lower to achieve a 50/50 front-rear weight distribution, the underbody is protected with five different skid plates, rock sliders, and two underbody shields.

The Hummer also offers UltraVision feature that uses several body-mounted cameras to offer 18 different camera views. The cameras come with a “virtual spotter” function to help you with dynamic visual footage for easier off-road driving. Adding to these, the standard 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory M/T tires offer splendid grip in challenging conditions.

4. GM’s cutting-edge battery tech brings an array of benefits

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The Hummer EV Pickup is the [first electric vehicle built on GM’s Ultium EV platform. It offers two battery capacities: a 20-module double-stacked Ultium lithium-ion battery with 170 kWh capacity and a 24-module 246 kWh battery pack for trims with three motors. The Ultium battery pack uses large format cells, 70% less cobalt, and can switch from parallel to series charging mode for faster charging speeds. The 800-volt e-architecture offers up to 350 kW DC charging speeds, which adds 100 miles of range with a 10-minute charge.

The Hummer EV Pickup is the first electric vehicle to be built on GM’s cutting-edge Ultium EV platform. This monstrous e-truck offers two battery capacities, the lower models come with a 20-module double-stacked Ultium lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 170 kWh. Trims equipped with three motors utilize a 24-module 246 kWh battery pack, offering more power and range. While many carmakers outfit their vehicles with lithium-ion batteries for their high-energy density, lower weight, better long-term reliability, and faster charge times, the Ultium battery pack offers some unique features.

The Ultium battery pack is designed using a large format and pouch-style cells, which house the cells vertically inside the pack. This battery also utilizes 70 percent less cobalt than previous batteries, making them cheaper to maintain and produce.

Furthermore, the Ultium battery pack is the first battery pack that can mechanically switch from parallel to series charging mode. This trick makes the battery more compatible with faster charging speeds. The 800-volt e-architecture offers up to 350 kW DC charging speeds, with which you get up to 100 miles of range with just 10 minutes of charging.

The massive 24-module battery pack offers the Hummer with up to 329 miles of range. The e-architecture comes with a brake force regeneration function, which converts the kinetic energy to electricity every time you use the brakes. You can also equip the battery with an optional Power Station Generator, which allows you to charge other vehicles at a six kilowatts or 240 volts rate plus power various accessories with three kilowatts energy consumption rating.

5. Its interior showcases a durabe, futuristic design

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GMC’s Hummer e-truck interior pays homage to the Apollo Mission’s lunar rover, featuring Lunar Horizon and Lunar Shadow color combos. The interior seats five, offers ample space and features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster along with a 13.4-inch touchscreen. The speaker grilles exhibit contours of the moon’s “Sea Of Tranquility,” showcasing the interior’s inspiration from lunar elements. The truck has a five-foot bed, 36.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and a MultiPro tailgate for convenience. The Hummer’s Infinity Roof offers a convertible-like experience with four modular panels that can be detached by turning the latches.

When it comes to interiors, most electric vehicles favor aesthetics and features over functionality. GMC, however, took a U-turn approach while designing the interior. The Hummer e-truck’s interior undoubtedly looks futuristic, but the ergonomics, materials, and features you get inside deliver a top-notch experience.

Here’s a fun fact, the interior pays homage to the Apollo Mission’s lunar rover from the 1960s, with some really cool artifacts and features. The interior offers two color combos, namely Lunar Horizon and Lunar Shadow. The first one incorporates a black-and-white upholstery combination, while the latter blends black with green shades.

Additionally, the speaker grilles are contoured with the replica of the moon’s “Sea Of Tranquility” to showcase the interior’s inspiration from lunar elements.

The Hummer’s interior is excellent in terms of room. The interior seats five, with both rows offering sufficient space. The front seats provide 42.48 inches of headroom and 45.57 inches of legroom, making it decent if your height is north of six feet. The rear seats offer 38.6 inches of headroom and 38.92 inches of legroom.

The dashboard offers two wide displays; a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on the driver side, followed by a 13.4-inch touchscreen at the center. Both displays run on an intuitive interface powered by Unreal Engine (maker of Fortnite, a popular video game), displaying data in a gamified style.

From a practical perspective, the truck comes with a five-foot bed, promising up to 36.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The front truck offers an additional 11.3 cubic feet of space. Inside, though, the rear seats offer a fold-flat function, yielding additional space to store a few small bags. Like several off-road pickup trucks, the Hummer offers a MultiPro tailgate, which will make your life easier by adding up as a table, full-width step, and load stops.

If you’re someone fond of enjoying the fresh air on high-spirited adventures, this truck lets you detach the roof. The Hummer’s Infinity Roof comes with four modular panels that can be detached by simply turning the latches. This will provide you with a convertible-like experience.

FAQs

1. What is the GMC Hummer EV Pickup truck? The GMC Hummer EV Pickup is an all-electric pickup truck produced by General Motors under the GMC brand.

2. What is the starting price of the Hummer EV Pickup? The base price for the GMC Hummer EV Pickup starts at $98,845.

3. How long does it take to charge the Hummer EV Pickup at home? Charging times at home depend on the charging equipment used. With a Level 2 home charger, it can take around 10–12 hours for a full charge.

4. What is the “CrabWalk” feature in the Hummer EV Pickup? CrabWalk is a unique feature that allows the Hummer EV to move diagonally, making it easier to navigate tight spaces and challenging off-road situations.

5. What is Super Cruise in the Hummer EV Pickup? Super Cruise is an advanced driver-assistance system that offers hands-free driving on compatible highways, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience.

6. What is the “Watts to Freedom” (WTF) mode in the Hummer EV Pickup? WTF mode is a performance mode that offers a dramatic acceleration experience, complete with audiovisual effects.

7. How many camera views are available in the Hummer EV Pickup’s Ultravision system? The Ultravision system in the Hummer EV provides up to 18 camera views, enhancing visibility for various driving situations.

9. Is the Hummer EV Pickup available with fast-charging capabilities? The Hummer EV supports fast charging, and it can gain around 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes with DC fast charging.

10. What are the competitors of the Hummer EV Pickup? The Hummer EV Pickup competes with the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning.

Sourav Banik

Sourav Banik

Sourav is either writing or pondering about pickup trucks. Meanwhile, he's daydreaming about Lexus and JDMs. Read full bio