Remember the Hummer? If so, you have probably already heard that this titular namesake is back! If you don’t remember the Hummer, simply think of a giant cube of metal that conquers any road it’s traveling on. GMC dealers near you are gearing up for the return and resurgence of this old off-roading champion, but it will be arriving in a new electric form. For many drivers, when they think of the Hummer, the H1 is the first to come to mind, likely because it was the largest of the three models – the other two being the H2 and H3.
There was a caveat, however, because with all of this power came fuel efficiency ratings that could only be described as abysmal. How bad was it? Well, using a 2009 Hummer H3 as an example, you can expect EPA-estimated ratings of 13 MPG in the city and 16 MPG on the highway with its V8 engine. Yeah, not great. This is important to remember when looking at the new Hummers. Why is that?
What began with the 2022 Hummer EV Pickup is now accompanied by the upcoming Hummer EV SUV, and both vehicles have completely changed how we think of the Hummer altogether. That’s right, the new Hummer isn’t that gas-guzzling beast that it used to be; it has now taken on an all-electric powertrain placed into two body styles. However, you don’t need to worry; either one of these electric Hummers will still be beasts that can handle any off-road terrains.
2023 Hummer EV Pickup
The combination of a Hummer with a pickup truck was as natural as peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, chicken and rice. I’m sorry if I made you hungry with my comparison, but it’s the best way that I can describe how natural of a fit a pickup truck body is for the returning Hummer. While retaining a majority of the design philosophy that makes the Hummer immediately recognizable, elements of a pickup truck are in play, of course, such as a cargo bed. The Hummer EV Pickup not only matches the base performance of the upcoming base Hummer EV SUV but can also outperform it in a specific case, which I’ll discuss with you shortly.
Powering the base Hummer EV Pickup is a large battery paired with dual motors. What this results in is an incredible 625 hp and 7,400 lb-ft of torque. That’s right, 7,400 lb-ft of torque. If you think that’s crazy, just wait until you see the other option. The alternative to the dual-motor setup is another large battery paired with a trio of motors. The turnout with this powertrain is 830 hp and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. Although explaining why this is an enormous feat is likely unnecessary, I’d like to point out that this extra motor brings a sizable 55% increase in torque output against the already stunning 7,400 lb-ft of torque.
And, you can opt for a performance boost that sees your Hummer EV SUV stick to its 11,500 lb-ft of torque but increases its horsepower output from 830 to 1,000. This is what I meant by saying the Hummer EV Pickup can outperform the SUV as it sticks with the 830 hp variant. It’s almost impossible for me not to excitedly tell you that this pickup truck can reach 60 mph in only 3-seconds, which is another amazing feat on an already stacked list of accomplishments.
In its strongest configuration, the 2023 Hummer EV Pickup should be towing the same 7,500 lbs as the year prior, along with a payload capacity of 1,300 lbs. For any electric vehicle to tow this amount is an achievement in its own right. In addition to towing, the Hummer Pickup EV expectedly comes with a bed that is 5-feet long. And, like other EVs, the Hummer EV Pickup also includes an eTrunk that adds 11.3 cubic feet of cargo space, ultimately cementing the Hummer Pickup EV as an adventure-oriented vehicle running exclusively on electricity.
The question on some people’s minds, however, is how much range can you expect with these powertrains? While there are currently no official fuel economy ratings for the dual-motor setup, you can look into the 2022 Hummer Pickup to get an idea of how the triple-motor setup will do. So, if the 2022 model year is any indicator, the 2023 Hummer EV Pickup – at least in its strongest configuration – should provide 329-miles on a single full charge.
Speaking of charging, it’s done by utilizing one of three types of chargers: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. By default, the Level 1 charger is what you can expect to find standard with the Hummer EV, but the Level 2 charger is also available to use at home. GMC recommends using a Level 2 or higher charger because the Level 1 charger is not going to give you results nearly as quickly. The Dual Level Charge Cord comes standard, and when you hook up to a Level 2 charger, you will get 16 miles of charge per hour with the Hummer EV Edition 1 Pickup. The Level 3 charger (also known as DC Fast Charging) will give the Hummer EV Pickup a whopping 100 miles of range after being plugged in for only 10 minutes.
2024 Hummer EV SUV
Joining the lineup shortly after the introduction of the Hummer EV Pickup, the Hummer EV SUV has brought incredible performance and ground-breaking features and is another incredible usage of electric powertrains. Two configurations are available, and these two are the same dual and triple motor setups we saw on the Hummer EV Pickup. The result is identical performance to the Pickup truck on the base level, with 625 hp and 7,400 lb-ft of torque taking the stage. With the triple motor setup, you’ll get 830 hp and 11,500 lb-ft of torque, which is simply an absurd amount of torque for an SUV, and I say this in the best way possible.
The charging situation for the Hummer EV SUV is familiar as the same can be found on the Hummer EV Pickup. That’s to say, there are three levels of charging available to you, and you can generally expect similar, if not identical, charging times between the two Hummer EVs. What I can tell you, however, is that you can expect between 250-300+ miles on a single charge, or if you opt for the triple motor setup, you can expect over 300 miles. Overall, performance is incredible, especially with its 0-60 mph acceleration time sitting at a respectable 3.5-seconds.
What impresses me the most about the Hummer EV is the new features you can find, such as the new Crab Walk mode that utilizes GM’s 4-Wheel Steer. The Hummer EV SUV can adjust all of the wheels at such an angle that it allows the SUV to maneuver through tight spaces. In motion, it almost looks as if the vehicle is moving sideways, and it’s something that will immediately make you feel like the next James Bond.
The next feature I want to briefly discuss is Extract Mode for both Hummer EVs. When you encounter tough terrain, such as one with plenty of verticalities, you can activate your Hummer EV’s Extract Mode. The entire chassis will lift, adding six more inches of space between the undercarriage of your Hummer and the ground so you can get over those bigger boulders or through deep water.
Worth the Hype?
If there’s any takeaway from what I’ve discussed with you today, it’s if GMC were going to bring back the Hummer in any capacity, they not only waited for the right time to do it, but they’ve done so in a way that has amazed both critics and fans, both new and returning. It’s hard not to get excited about the Hummer EV, and even if it’s something out of your price range, just know it will certainly lead to more exciting developments over the years. It’s easily the beginning of a new future of off-roading automobiles. Keep your eyes peeled over the next several years as EVs, including the Hummers, continue to make waves in the industry. If you’re shopping for a new EV this year, however, then pick either the Hummer EV Pickup or SUV because you won’t be disappointed.
