Introduction
2022 GMC Hummer EV Turns an Off-Road Legend Into a Green Machine
The full-electric SUV and pickup truck promise an emissions-free, open-air experienceOverview
General Motors unveiled the all-new electric GMC Hummer EV SUV, following up its reveal of a pickup truck last year. These high-tech, off-road-ready models look to reinvent the Hummer brand that was retired a decade ago.
GMC promises that the new Hummer EV SUV and pickup truck will be both green and off-road-ready, with gratuitous horsepower and torque, and consequently quick acceleration. They are positioned as premium products that showcase numerous innovations.
By relaunching Hummer as a sub-brand under GMC, it enables the rollout to take advantage of an established dealer network. And limits the number of true General Motors brands to four. The automaker previously announced that it would invest $2.2 billion in its Detroit-Hamtramck factory to make the Hummer EV and other electric trucks, such as the Cruise Origin, an electric self-driving vehicle. Production of the new Hummer EV pickup truck is expected to begin in late 2021 with availability in early 2022. The SUV will go into production in early 2023.
The first wave of Hummer EV pickup trucks will be called Edition 1, with a starting price of $112,595, including destination charge. These sold out via online preorders within 10 minutes of the unveiling Oct. 20, 2020. GMC would not confirm how many Edition 1 trucks were allocated. A similar preorder process is being used for the SUV.
The Hummer EV pickup is a modern take on the H2 sport utility truck, a version of the H2 SUV with a small bed. The Hummer EV pickup has a larger capacity than its progenitor, with a clever MultiPro tailgate that folds open to create a step for climbing into the 5-foot bed, as seen on select GMC pickup trucks.
Overall length is about 18 feet, splitting the difference between the Yukon and the supersized Yukon XL. It rides on a 135.6-inch wheelbase, making the space between the wheel centers longer than on the GMC Yukon XL. The SUV rides on a wheelbase that is about 9 inches shorter, giving it tidier dimensions. The Hummer EVs push the wheels out to the corners, giving them a trail-ready approach and breakover angles that make them capable of crawling over steep obstacles.
From the front, the design shares a connection to the H2 with its wide, short six-segment grille. From the side, the pickup has more in common with the Rivian R1T—an upcoming rival electric truck in development.
Bulging fenders and large, squared-off wheel arches declare the Hummers’ off-road intentions. The black bumper and dark, lower front end make the truck look taller and more imposing.
For both body styles, the standard wheel-tire configuration is 22-inch-diameter wheels wrapped with 35-inch-tall tires. The Extreme Off-Road Package pairs 18-inch-diameter wheels with 35-inch tall Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. The truck is designed to fit massive 37-inch-tall tires, if owners wish to upgrade. Drivers who wish to deflate the tires to increase traction off road can use the inflation assist system to input a target tire pressure in the gauge cluster. Tire pressure must be released manually, but the Hummer EV will give an audible signal when the desired pressure is reached.
The Infinity Roof opens up the top with a combination of removable, transparent panels, akin to the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, with a protective roll cage. The panels can store under the hood in the “frunk”—the space where the gas-powered engine would normally be found.
There is a rear power window on both body styles, and a powered tonneau cover for the truck bed.With the Extreme Off-Road Package comes skid plates and underbody shields to protect the battery pack, drive units, and other components.
The Hummer EV seats five. The cabin is dominated by a 12.3-inch digital dash and a large 13.4-inch center infotainment screen.