The Hummer’s impressive off-road resume isn’t that surprising for those who are familiar with the model’s history. Originally introduced as a civilian-grade version of the US Army’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle—colloquially known as a Humvee—the Hummer first hit the market in 1992. The rugged SUV boasted much of the same heavy-duty off-road equipment as the military version but added some important comfort and convenience touches that made the Hummer a more practical choice for the average driver.
The Hummer took a brief hiatus following the 2010 model year but was resurrected in 2020 by General Motors. It was under the GMC banner that the Hummer really started to update itself for the modern era. While the early-2000s version of the Hummer was a fun-if-notorious gas-guzzler, the new Hummer broke the mold with a new EV powertrain that opened the door to some serious performance possibilities. The 2024 GMC Hummer EV Pickup represents the latest evolution of this storied utility vehicle, folding in some of the latest and greatest in off-road tech to provide a well-rounded pickup that is at home in even the most challenging conditions.
Let’s take a few minutes to review five of the Hummer EV pickup’s most intriguing off-road capabilities and features and see how the legendary model has kept up with the times to do the Hummer name proud.
Electronic 4-Wheel Steer and Crab Walk
When the going gets tough, the tough get going sideways. The Hummer EV’s all-electric setup opens the door to plenty of off-road utility and some neat party tricks. The coolest of these features would have to be the pickup’s Electronic 4-Wheel Steer system featuring Crab Walk Mode. Maneuverability is key when you’re dealing with technical off-road trails, but 4-Wheel Steer makes piloting the Hummer EV easier than ever by allowing drivers to automatically sync their front and rear tires to conquer even the tightest of corners.
When set to the default Automatic Mode, 4-Wheel Steer will point the Hummer EV’s rear tires in the opposite direction of the front tires to maximize maneuverability when traveling at less than 25 mph. The rear tires’ angle is limited to between seven and ten degrees based on the speed at which you’re traveling, but even a modest adjustment can make all the difference when it comes to finding success in off-road environments. When the speed starts to exceed 25 mph, the rear tires start to move in tandem with the front tires, enhancing stability and improving the Hummer EV’s overall safety profile.
Crab Walk Mode is the Hummer EV’s most futuristic feature, letting the truck move in ways that defy the laws of physics—or, at least, conventional automotive logic. In Crab Walk Mode, the 4-Wheel Steer system orients all four tires in the same direction, giving the Hummer EV the ability to move diagonally like a crab scurrying down the beach. The feature has untold applications in both on- and off-road scenarios, letting drivers slide into parallel parking spots or make acute turns that other off-roaders wouldn’t dream of.
Crab Walk Mode is available whenever the Hummer EV is moving at less than 1.2 mph and represents the most cutting-edge feature to date. The 4-Wheel Steer System can also be switched off for a more traditional driving experience and can’t be used when the Super Cruise driver assistance system is active.
Remarkable Power and Performance
A potent powertrain lies at the heart of every off-road-worthy model. Power isn’t always the most important factor when tackling forest trails, desert sands, and deep mud, but it can sure help to make up for a lack of foresight and help to free you from some sticky situations. The Hummer EV delivers power in spades, which is certainly helpful when you consider the fact that the model tips the scales at 9,640 lbs. The Hummer comes standard with two electric motors delivering 570 hp, but a tri-motor version ups the ante with some 1,000 hp on offer.
The instant acceleration offered by these electric motors makes the GMC pickup a true speed demon with a zero-to-sixty time of 3 seconds in its tri-motor configuration. To achieve that sort of speed, you’ll have to engage the Hummer’s Watts to Freedom feature, a sort of launch control that sees the EV perform some important modifications to turn itself into a veritable rocket on wheels. When Watts to Freedom is activated, the Hummer EV’s air suspension will lower the body by two inches and display a handy g-force meter on the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Drivers then simply need to step on the accelerator and the electric motors will burst into action, ripping down the road and allowing drivers to experience the sort of acceleration that’s typically limited to NASA launch pads. How powerful is the Watts to Freedom feature? So powerful that GMC doesn’t recommend using it on public roads, so make for a closed course, salt flat, or some other hard-packed area where you can truly let the Hummer EV shine.
The Hummer EV’s potent powertrain also means the pickup can deliver an impressive towing capacity that tops 12,000 lbs when equipped with the dual-motor setup. That bests such segment rivals as the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning—and while it might not have a huge impact on the truck’s off-road ability, it’s perfect for any driver who’s looking for an off-road EV that can double as a reliable work vehicle.
The UltraVision Camera Suite
You can’t avoid obstacles that you can’t see, but GMC has engineered around this common off-road issue by outfitting the Hummer EV with one of its most advanced camera systems to date. Dubbed UltraVision, this feature networks up to 18 different camera views to give drivers an all-encompassing look at their surroundings, whether they are navigating a boulder-strewn landscape or their local grocery store parking lot.
These 18 camera views are made possible by nine individual cameras, including four underbody units, a tailgate-mounted camera, two side cameras mounted on the rearview mirrors, and an available auxiliary camera that can be mounted to the rear of an attached trailer. While UltraVision doesn’t entirely replace flesh-and-blood spotters who can help you avoid some of the worst—and most expensive—off-road outcomes, it comes awfully close.
“Camera views are of great help to drivers in numerous everyday situations, from keeping tabs on your truck and trailer to maneuvering parking lots,” says Christopher Stanek, UltraVision Underbody Camera Lead Engineer. “The available camera views have been enhanced to not only help the driver feel more connected to their vehicle but help give added confidence and control while navigating remote locations in the great outdoors.”
GMC isn’t the first automaker to introduce a comprehensive camera array in one of its off-road models, but it is upping the bar with some novel features that are clearly designed by engineers familiar with the rigors of the road less traveled. The UltraVision system’s underbody cameras are fitted with replaceable lens protectors and built-in washers that’ll provide a crystal-clear POV no matter how many mud puddles you might encounter.
Are you trying your hand at a little rock crawling? The UltraVision cameras let you keep track of what’s going on beneath you in real time, ensuring you’re positioned right where you need to be to keep you pushing through. If you encounter sand, mud, or other surfaces that might result in a little wheel spin, simply toggle the UltraVision system to help monitor the tires. Unlike some other camera systems, UltraVision can be activated at speeds of up to 50 mph. This is ideal for those times when you need to put the pedal to the metal to achieve your off-road aims, such as ascending a steep sand dune.
The Extreme Off-Road Package
The Hummer EV is already a potent off-road machine right out of the box, trading on its military heritage to deliver the sort of performance that’ll make every excursion feel like a special operation. That said, the EV’s optional accessory list is packed with a raft of packages and features that can significantly amplify the truck’s off-road arsenal. These include available skid plates, rocker protectors with assist steps, and an Adaptive Air Ride Suspension that can raise the Hummer EV by as much as six inches to overcome pesky obstacles—but the most potent example would have to be the Extreme Off-Road Package.
Drivers will not only receive the rocker protectors with assist steps and a set of skid plates protecting the front differential, rear differential, and battery but will also see their Hummer upgraded with 18-inch black aluminum wheels wrapped in 18-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires and rear D-ring recovery hooks that’ll come in handy if you find yourself mired in a particularly stubborn mud puddle or ditch.
While these features all go a long way toward upping the Hummer EV’s off-road profile, it’s the electronically locking front and rear differentials with heavy-duty ball spline half-shafts that mark the real advantage of the Extreme Off-Road Package. These electronically locking differentials provide consistent traction no matter what the trail might throw at you, allowing each wheel to get all the power it needs to free you from even the toughest situation.
Beadlock-Capable Wheels
If there was one other optional accessory that deserves special mention, it would have to be the available 18-inch gloss black beadlock-capable wheels. The Carbon Flash decorative rings might give the Hummer EV a distinct appearance, but it’s the tire’s beadlock capability that really caught our attention this time around. For those who aren’t as well-versed in the challenges of off-road driving, allow me to explain. While maintaining proper tire pressure is important when it comes to on-road performance and efficiency, the ability to run on underinflated tires can mean the difference between a successful off-road journey and one that ends in frustration.
Beadlock tires include a ring that essentially clamps around the tire bead, meaning the rubber will stay firmly attached to the wheel no matter how low the pressure might get. By letting a little air out, drivers can dramatically expand the surface area of their tires and virtually float over loose sand, mud, and other loose surfaces. If you’re trying to improve comfort, letting a small amount of air out can help to soak up the bumps and bruises that come with off-road driving. These beadlock-capable wheels are a must-have for any driver who likes to venture into dicier terrain, and they’re a relative bargain for their price.
The Incomparable Hummer EV Pickup
The 2024 GMC Hummer EV Pickup offers an exciting new way to explore everything off-road driving has to offer. Built of sterner stuff than your average pickup, the Hummer EV Pickup offers the sort of performance that should give every driver the confidence to try their hand at off-road exploration. The 4-Wheel Steer system with Crab Walk addresses one of the biggest challenges of both on- and off-road driving, improving maneuverability to give the Hummer EV the sort of turning radius that’ll have you mastering even the tightest turn or parallel parking spot. The pickup’s UltraVision cameras are built to last and offer the sort of utility that few of the Hummer EV’s competitors can match.
Both the dual- and tri-motor setup provide power in spades, providing a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 lbs and gluing you to the back of your seat thanks to the unhinged acceleration of the Watts to Freedom feature. Packages and accessories like the Extreme Off-Road Package and beadlock-capable wheels aren’t entirely necessary, but they sure add a little performance boost—and a lot of fun—to the equation. The 2024 Hummer EV Pickup might not be combat-ready like its Humvee predecessor, but it’s well-prepared to help you launch an assault on your local off-road trails.
