$113,000 GMC Hummer Electric Vehicle Review: Electric Excess

• I spent a weekend at the Hummer all-electric pickup truck. 
• GMC Hummer Evo is huge, fast, and extravagant in every way. 
• GM loaned me a Hummer EV Edition 1 which retails at around $113,000. 

General Motors’ Hummer brand ended in 2010 when the financial crash hit sales of the big gas-guzzler. 12 years later, there is a new stockmarket rout and a new possible housing bubble. And, to top it all, the Hummer is back. 

It’s only this time that it’s electrical. 

The GMC Hummer Evo doesn’t consume fossil fuels nor emit climate-warming gases like its predecessors. However, it continues the Hummer’s legacy of being ridiculously large and excessive.

It is often criticized by many.It’s not, but it’s what makes it so much fun.

Let’s start with the basics

GM plucked the Hummer name from the scrapyardGMC will launch a new brand of all-electric vehicles in 2020. In late 2021, the Hummer EV pickup was launched. An SUVFor 2023, it is in the works. 

The pickup lineup will grow over time to include a variety of trucks at different price points, including a $80,000 base model. GMC will start with the $113,000 edition 1, a fully-loaded truck with 1,000 horsepower and three electric motors. It also includes a long list quirky features. 

Hummer It is comparable to two other electric pickups: Ford’s F-150 Lightning Rivian’s R1T. It is also competing with glitzy SUVs, like the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. Despite having a bed and significant off-road chops the Hummer, the majority of buyers won’t use that way. 

What is unique: A truck loaded with cool features that goes above and beyond the norm

Hummer EV has no subtleties. With its flashy interior and brawny exterior, it smacks your face. It’s loaded with bizarre features and is fueled by Monster energy drink. Ready to show off its capabilities. 

The glass roof on the Hummer Evo EV’s Hummer is removable because why not? It can be easily removed using four glass panels that are secured by latches. All four panels can be stored in the Hummer’s large front trunk. The frunk has 11.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which rivals the trunks of smaller cars. 

The Hummer’s interior features two large screens, air vents that are as big as your head and designs that were inspired by the Moon’s surface. This is a nod towards GM’s Apollo 15 lunar rover work. You’ll find plenty of headroom and legroom for all passengers, and a central cubby large enough to hold a Thanksgiving turkey. (We’ve AllThere.

The Hummer’s drive modes can be ridden and you will see detailed animations showing the pickup moving across various terrains. Off-Road mode shows the truck racing across the sands on Mars. It pulls a rocket in Tow/Haul mode. Hummers bring a touch of style to driving. 

Driving the Hummer 

When switched into the tongue-in-cheek “Watts to Freedom” (WTF) mode, the Hummer EV claims to hit 60 mph as quickly as a supercar — in an astonishing three seconds. 

The Hummer still carries a massive 9,000-pound weight, even in the Normal setting. As it gains speed, the whole truck goes backwards when you push the throttle. I was astonished at the absurdity of this truck bobbing about, with the top down. 

The Hummer’s 329-mile range is a good indicator of range anxiety. The Hummer rides well and has Super Cruise, GM’s hands free driving feature. This helps to reduce the monotony of long highway trips. 

It was so big, I could not get used to it. It is ridiculously tall and wide, and its narrow proportions make it difficult to see in all directions. I drove with the looming fear that I’d misjudge how close I was to something — or someone — and felt the urge to constantly apologize to other motorists for the amount of space I occupied. 

The Hummer’s rear wheel steering makes maneuvering in tight spaces a breeze. The truck’s rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, reducing its turning circle at low speeds. 

This system also allows Hummers to have their most buzzing feature: Crab Walk. The rear wheels are oriented in the same way as the front, so you can drive diagonally on uneven pavement. Although the EV boasts tons of ground clearance, extra armor and plenty of torque, it is not designed to be able to drive off-road. 

The shortfall: Same problems, new Hummer

The Hummer EV’s efficiency is incredibly low compared to other vehicles, which is both disappointing and unfortunate. According to the EPA, it gets 47 MPGe from a gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe). The F-150 Lightning can get up to 70 MPGe while an efficient EV such as the Tesla Model 3 gets 132. 

The Hummer’s size is another concern. It is genuinely concerning that a sufficiently wealthy bozo could buy a truck that can weigh three Honda Civics and drive like a Lamborghini. Car crashes are a deadly epidemicThis country. 

However, big trucks are going to be wanted by people all the time, so it is important that they can be maintained. 

Our impressions: American excess electrified

I didn’t think I’d enjoy the Hummer Evo as much as it did. A large, heavy truck that is difficult to see from and more than anyone needs is not my cup of tea.

The Hummer’s charm is infectious, and its capabilities are truly remarkable. You can’t help but smile at the Hummer’s perfection.