If you’re a GMC fan, then you probably already know the answer to that question: a fairly resounding, “Yes!” But for many other people, it takes more than the resurrection of an automotive legend or the GMC brand to get your hearts stirring and your interest piqued. And so you might well be asking yourself: is the 2022 GMC Hummer EV a vehicle that you should actually be excited about?
That’s a good question and one that I’m going to help you answer here today. If you’re not the sort for lengthy explanations, or you simply prefer to know the ending before you finish a book, then let me spoil it for you. The answer is: yes, the all-new Hummer EV really is a vehicle to be excited about, whether it’s one that you’re personally interested in buying or not. This is because, at the end of the day, it has a lot of great features and some impressive new technology that is going to be big for the industry overall. If you’re an off-road enthusiast, by the way, then you should absolutely be excited, and I probably don’t need to tell you that. Now let’s see why you should care and why the GMC Hummer EV has grabbed so much attention.
The Return of a Legend
For a lot of people, simply the return of the “Hummer” model name is enough to get excited about. The Hummer was one of the most iconic and quintessential SUVs of the 1990s and 2000s. For better and worse, its massive size, boxy design, and off-road capability really defined what this sort of SUV/truck was for many drivers out there.
As the SUV market became more desirable and competitive, however, the Hummer’s flaws and criticisms became more pronounced. Its large size was a major part of its design but could also make it a nightmare to park, and some people found it unsafe. The Hummers of old were undeniably gas guzzlers – at least one model was estimated to get about 10 MPG in the city! And since it was categorized as a Class 3 Truck, Hummers didn’t have to meet the same safety regulations as many other vehicles.
All of these factors led to decreased popularity and sales, ultimately resulting in the Hummer being discontinued and production shut down in 2010. Even though there were a lot of criticisms, there was also plenty about the Hummer that people liked, and it was sorely missed over the last decade. So the return of this legend – with essentially all of its major criticisms fully addressed – has a lot of people excited.
The Monstrous Powertrain
Like I said, the old Hummer was a gas-guzzling beast that needed a serious engine to propel it on the highway or the trail. The all-new 2022 GMC Hummer EV, however, has a far more impressive powertrain with an advantage that would’ve been unthinkable when the Hummer was discontinued: an all-electric design. No more nearly-single-digit fuel efficiencies or exhaust; the new Hummer EV is as eco-friendly as it gets.
Rather than just slap the Hummer name on a standard electric SUV, however, GMC has been faithful to the legacy of this beast and given it power worth getting excited about. It has three motors in it with AWD standard, which delivers up to 1,000 hp and up to 11,500 lb-ft of torque. Some people have pointed out that this amount of torque is likely determined based on torque multiplying due to the Hummer’s gear ratios – but even without it, most agree that it will have more than 1,000 lb-ft of torque through a standard calculation.
However you look at it, the 2022 GMC Hummer EV has serious power, and its Watts to Freedom launch control system really lets you take advantage of it. With this system, the Hummer EV can go from 0 to 60 in about 3 seconds despite its impressive size. That’s not even mentioning that it will have an estimated range of more than 350 miles from a full charge and can get up to 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes at a DC Fast Charging station.
Two New Off-Road Technologies
The original Hummer was based on the Humvee military vehicle and designed to take you pretty much anywhere you wanted to go. That made it an excellent choice for drivers that like to go off-road, plus its large size and safety concerns weren’t as much of an issue on the trail. While there are plenty of other off-road vehicles out there, the Hummer has certainly been missed amongst enthusiasts of leaving the city behind.
It looks like the all-new 2022 GMC Hummer EV is going to live up to that legacy with a solid off-road design that’s accompanied by two new off-road technologies that people are excited about. The first is the Crabwalk system, which lets the Hummer EV drive diagonally at low speeds. So if you find yourself in a weird ravine or another tight spot, the Hummer EV can maneuver in ways that most other vehicles can’t.
And second, the Extract Mode allows the Hummer EV to lift about 6 inches higher than it normally rides. This gives you some of the advantages of a lift kit – higher ground clearance – without making aftermarket changes or messing with your vehicle’s balance. So you get great handling and aerodynamics while on the road, and you can navigate rough and uneven terrain when the need arises.
The Ultravision Camera System
Another piece of new technology that the 2022 GMC Hummer EV is going to showcase is an available Ultravision camera system. While this might sound like a new series coming to Disney+, it’s actually a system featuring up to 18 available camera views for the driver. This gives you an unprecedented view of the area around your vehicle, including waterproof underbody cameras that are both forward and rear-facing. So you’ll get a clear look at what’s under the Hummer EV and know how to best navigate the terrain you’re in. The underbody cameras even have a wash function and replaceable lens protectors in case things get rough.
GM’s Super Cruise Tech
Although not exclusive to the 2022 GMC Hummer EV, one of the things a lot of people are excited about is that it’s one of the first models to feature Super Cruise technology. This is GM’s semi-autonomous driving system, which lets you enjoy hands-free driving on compatible roads and includes numerous driver-assistance features, including automatic lane changing. At the moment, there are already more than 200,000 miles of roads compatible with the Super Cruise system in the US and Canada, with more being added.
The Exterior (It’s All About the Infinity Roof!)
In a lot of ways, the 2022 GMC Hummer EV still very-much looks the part, with a large design that includes plenty of passenger seating and a rear bed for cargo. You can look at it and know it’s a Hummer, but it’s far sleeker and more dynamic than the models of old, with some sporty touches that really give it a proper, modern feel. The front grille, for example, features a horizontal row of lights with the “HUMMER” name across it.
But the real star is probably the Infinity Roof, which has four modular Sky Panels to give you an amazing view of the sky above. And since you can remove each of these panels, with storage in the rear, you can get a full open-air experience when you want it. It’s a great look that’s going to make for a lot of fun on long road-trips and while going off-road. So, are you excited for the all-new Hummer EV? If so, then head to your local GMC dealership to find out more and reserve yours today.
