GMC unveiled its first electric vehicle, the Hummer EV truck in 2020 and the SUV followed a few months later. And while lots of customers can already enjoy their trucks, the SUV only went into production in January 2023. The SUV is placed below the truck, but even so, it is equally impressive, with great output, great performance figures and range, and almost the same technological features. It is a little bit shorter, and even if it is not as off-road capable as the truck, it could still spell bad news for the competition. The only problem is that the Hummer EV SUV is a little bit more expensive, and the question is if it is really worth paying the extra money?
1 The Hummer EV SUV Will Benefit From GM’s All-New Ultium Battery
The Hummer EV pickup was the first full-electric vehicle in GMC's portfolio, and is built on GM's new Ultium platform. The SUV will be built on the same platform, meaning it will also benefit from the new Ultium battery system. This type of battery is unique in the industry because of its large-format, pouch-style cells, which can be stacked vertically or horizontally inside the battery pack. In the Hummer EV Edition 1, GM placed two layers of vertical cell modules for a combined 20-module pack and a total range of 300 miles. The battery also features the highest content of nickel and the lowest of cobalt - about 70 percent less than GM's previous generation of batteries. It is also placed low in the chassis and ensures a low center of gravity, and therefore improved driving dynamics and structure. Its position also improves both the front overhang and breakover angle, offering the Hummer EV ideal off-road proportions.
2 Fast And Bi-Directional Charging
Like all the other vehicles built on GM's Ultium Platform, the Hummer EV SUV benefits from 800-volt DC public fast charging capability of up to 300 kW. Thanks to this feature, you can add as much as 100 miles in just 10 minutes of charging. This is possible because during the charging phase, the batteries will mechanically switch from parallel to series mode. As an option, the SUV can also be had with a Power Station generator that will allow it to jump charge another electric vehicle and power a variety of equipment and accessories. This way, all the off-road adventures will be a lot more fun.
3 Powerful, But Not As Much As The Hummer EV Truck
The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV is offered in four trims: EV2, EV2X, EV3X, and Edition 1. The first two are powered by two electric motors that deliver a combined 625 horses and 7,400 pound-feet of torque. In the SUV, both the EV3X and the Edition 1 are powered by three electric motors: two sitting on the rear axle and one on the front axle. They deliver a combined 830 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of torque – with the same powertrain delivering 1,000 horsepower and the same torque figures in the Hummer EV truck. While there are no performance figures on the other trims, the Edition 1 should sprint from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds - about 0.5 seconds slower than the truck.
4 Four-Wheel Steering And Crab Walk
GM's four-wheel steering has been around since 2000 and has been improved constantly, and the Hummer EV benefits from the most evolved version of it. The four-wheel steering is on by default and can be turned off by pressing the 4-Wheel Steer button located on the left side of the Driver Mode Control dial. At speeds less than 25 mph, the Hummer EV's rear tires will turn in the opposite direction of the front tires for greater vehicle maneuverability in tight parking spots and tight off-road trails. At higher speeds, the front and rear wheels will turn in the same direction to improve stability. One of the coolest features of the four-wheel steering is a feature called Crab Walk. At speeds below 20 mph, the rear wheels will be positioned in the same direction as the front wheels, allowing the SUV to move diagonally.
5 Watts To Freedom
Watts To Freedom is a cool feature that has been initially used in the Hummer EV pickup truck but was also carried over to the SUV. The feature is nothing but a fancy name given to launch control during which period the SUV's whole torque is sent to all four wheels for supercar-like acceleration figures. To activate the Watts to Freedom mode, the driver must bring the vehicle to a full stop and then press the traction control button located on the instrument panel twice. Then he must use the steering wheel controls to confirm he wants the vehicle to enter the Watts to Freedom mode. At that time, other chassis settings will automatically adjust, and all the torque will be sent to the wheels. Once the driver releases the brake pedal, the vehicle will accelerate extremely rapidly.
6 The Hummer EV SUV’s Five Different Driving Modes
The Hummer EV offers five different driving modes that can be selected via the Driver Mode Control. The five modes are Normal, Off-Road, Terrain, Tow/Haul, and My Mode, and each features a different vehicle sound profile. They can be changed using the Mode rotational dial placed on the center console, and you can select a different mode even with the car driving. The default driving mode is the Normal Mode - it was designed for everyday driving and provides a similar acceleration feel to an ICE vehicle. As its name suggests the Tow/Haul should be used when pulling a trailer or heavy load, and it optimizes power distribution to the wheels. The Off-road mode should be used on low-traction surfaces like sand or gravel. It enhances the functionality of the front and rear axle lockers and improves traction, maneuverability, and handling. The Terrain Mode will limit the speed vehicle to 50 mph and can be used for either less intense off-road situations (using Drive level of performance) or extreme terrain when you need to use the Low level of performance. Finally, "My mode" lets the driver customize driving characteristics like accelerator responsiveness, suspension tuning, steering feel and motor sound according to personal wishes.
7 Easter Egg: Textured Map Of The Surface Of The Moon On Speaker Grilles
As is the case with the pickup, the Hummer EV SUV features a very futuristic interior. Customers can choose between Lunar Shadow - that combines Jet Black and Taupe colors – and Lunar Horizon - a combination of Jet Black and Light Gray - themes. Both are complemented by Tech Bronze accents and durable all-weather flooring. There is also a three-dimensional dashboard with a 12.3-inch diagonal driver information center display and a large, 13.4-inch diagonal infotainment screen. Both provide all the necessary vehicle performance and driver awareness information, plus details on the updated myGMC mobile phone app. This app helps the driver not to only plan and navigate off-road driving adventures, but it also provides details on the charging locations and their distances from off-road locations. As standard, the SUV comes with a Bose 14-speaker audio system, with the map of the Sea of Tranquility from the surface of the moon engraved on the speaker covers.
8 Infinity Roof With Modular Sky Panels
All trims for both the Hummer EV SUV and truck come with an Infiniti Roof - a system of removable roof panels, similar to what is offered on the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford Bronco. This means that by removing the four modular sky panels and the front I-Bar, customers can enjoy an open-air experience. The four panels are very light and easy to remove, and they can be stored in the SUV’s frunk. The I-Bar on the other hand can be stored under the rear seats. The rear window can also be electronically rolled down. As an option, GMC is also offering Transparent Sky Panels that come tinted to deflect the sun and protect the passenger from heat and extreme sun light, but at the same time still providing breathtaking panoramic views.
9 Loaded With Cool Technology
Just like with the Hummer EV pickup the SUV is also loaded with lots of cool tech features. The In-vehicle Energy App helps the driver monitor the energy use or the battery temperature, setting up charging schedules right from the infotainment screen. The Digital Key allows customers to use their smartphones as the key fob, and it detects the driver of the phone while approaching the vehicle. In this case, it will turn on the lights, unlock the vehicle, and prepare the SUV according to personal wishes. GMC is offering as standard a feature called HD Surround Vision with up to 14 camera views, while as an option customers can get the UltraVision that offers up to 17 camera views with underbody cameras. As an option, the SUV can also be had with GM's latest Super Cruise - a driver-assistance technology that offers hands-free driving on more than 200,000 miles.
10 The Hummer EV SUV Doesn’t Come Cheap
In June 2022, GMC announced that prices for both the Hummer EV truck and SUV will be increased by $6,650 "due to the increase in the price of commodity parts, technology and logistics." The price increase affects the EV2, EV2X, and the EV3X trims, but not the Edition one models as they were already sold out at the moment. As such, the Hummer EV2 SUV is now priced at $86,645, the Hummer EV2X SUV at $96,645, and the EV3X SUV at $106,645. And, even if you can't buy it anymore, the Hummer EV Edition 1 SUV is priced at $105,595. In comparison, prices for the Rivian R1S range from $79,800 for the R1S Adventure to $91,800 for the R1S Launch Edition.