The 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup is not like some other present truck available on the market. Whereas Tesla followers eagerly await the arrival of the massively anticipated Cybertruck, Common Motors has already been promoting an electrical pickup, albeit in low volumes, with 1,000 horsepower, a three-second 0-60 mph time, and a spread of properly over 300 miles. So why aren’t the streets flooded with Hummers? It sounds just like the very product American buyers would go gaga for, proper?
As we talked about, the Hummer is a low-volume product, with solely 854 items bought final yr in 2022. Manufacturing ought to ramp up a bit with the Hummer SUV arriving later this yr, however with costs at present beginning at $108,700 (earlier than markups) and the most cost effective fashions nonetheless beginning (however not but obtainable) at round $90,000, GMC is not seeking to overtake Ford F Sequence gross sales with this product.
At greatest, the Hummer is a distinct segment product constructed particularly to point out off what’s doable with EVs for a choose few patrons who can afford it. Does it succeed on this mission? We borrowed a Hummer EV pickup and lived with it for a whole week to search out out.
With Nice Energy Comes Nice Enjoyable
GMC solely provides the Hummer in a single configuration as of this writing: a tri-motor setup producing 835 horsepower. Two motors within the again and one motor on the rear give the truck sufficient energy for easy acceleration, although it would not really feel notably jolting as a result of immense automobile weight. The complete 1,000 hp is not obtainable with out activating Watts To Freedom, a goofily named launch management mode that may be shortened to WTF.
On this mode, the Hummer can squeal its mud-terrain tires and rocket as much as 60 mph in simply three seconds. Nevertheless, it requires roughly 30 seconds to activate because the suspension lowers and the batteries/motors are ready to ship most output. We doubt Hummer house owners can have sufficient time to activate WTF at a set of lights, nor can we advise it attributable to how shortly this truck can speed up with out an equal quantity of stopping energy.
Sure, the Hummer’s acceleration is a hoot, however the remainder of the driving expertise is not very sporty. It nonetheless feels each little bit of 9,000 kilos, although the air suspension helps to drastically scale back physique roll within the corners and enhance experience consolation. We should commend GMC on the Hummer’s rear wheel steering. It drastically reduces the turning radius and makes this behemoth simpler to park than a normal full-size truck.
The Charging Dilemma
Many patrons measure an EV by how far it could actually go on a single cost. By that metric, the Hummer EV Pickup shines with a 329-mile vary (GM-estimated). This is sufficient to kind of remove vary nervousness whereas on the go. The difficulty emerges whenever you learn the way GMC was in a position to obtain that vary. Most EVs use a battery that’s 100 kWh or much less, however the Hummer’s battery is a 212 kWh double-stacked unit. It weighs 2,923 kilos by itself, which is greater than a whole Honda Civic. As a result of the truck is so heavy, it managed a wasteful 1.6 miles/kWh in our testing. For comparability, a Hyundai Ioniq 5 will get round 3.6 mi/kWh. The Hummer is clearly a wattage waster.
Fortuitously, the Hummer delivers one of many quickest charging speeds available on the market (as much as 350 kW) due to its 800-volt structure. Theoretically, it could actually replenish as much as 100 miles in 10 minutes, however in actuality, you’ll doubtless be sitting on the charger for over 40 minutes.
On a daily Stage 2 family outlet, you’ll solely add round 16 miles per hour (should you’re fortunate). Our native L2 plugs may solely add round 9 miles per hour. Even at GMC’s alleged peak pace, it will take round 20 hours to totally cost the Hummer at house. With out a second automobile to depend on, we won’t think about this working for most individuals.
Cool Toy Options
GMC sells the Hummer as a know-how showcase, and it does have many cool and distinctive options. The Android-powered infotainment system lives on a large 13.4-inch touchscreen with an intuitive format and excellent voice command from Google. Nevertheless, we observed appreciable lag from the display when altering drive modes or accessing new menus. GMC assured us this automotive was an early construct, and we have had higher luck with the identical infotainment system within the Sierra 1500.
House owners who want to take the Hummer off-road will benefit from the unbelievable air suspension with Extract Mode and Ultravision digicam system with an underbody view to keep away from rocks and different obstacles. There’s additionally GM Tremendous Cruise, which permits hands-free driving on choose roads.
Very similar to the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator, the Hummer’s roof is detachable for a full open prime expertise. Storing the roof panels is pretty easy, as they match into the entrance trunk with included luggage for defense. Their plexiglass design makes them mild and simple to take away, with a pleasant tint to guard you from the solar whereas they’re put in.
Not A Six-Determine Inside
Together with the charging state of affairs, we think about the Hummer’s inside might be a deciding issue for a lot of patrons. This isn’t GMC’s greatest inside effort, as each the Sierra 1500 AT4X and Denali Final supply a extra premium cabin. The Hummer reminds us of the aforementioned Bronco and Wrangler, constructed to resist off-road abuse with robust, sturdy supplies. Nothing within the inside feels costly, and a few surfaces really feel outright low cost. We do not thoughts sensible inclusions just like the rubber flooring, that are simple to dampen, however the heart console feels prefer it belongs in a $30,000 work truck, not a six-figure toy.
Maybe the very best comparability we will draw right here is the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. The Hellcat is predicated on an inexpensive muscle automotive you may pick at a rental counter, so the inside isn’t going to really feel like an $80,000 automobile. Certain, it is acquired nicer seats with heating/ventilated and a few suede to cowl up a budget components, however there’s nonetheless a great deal of plastics that no quantity of leather-based could make up for. Consider the Hummer like a muscle automotive; you pay for the drivetrain, not the inside high quality.
Is The Hummer For You?
We usually wish to envision the best buyer for each automobile we evaluation, however the Hummer EV Pickup purchaser appeared particularly troublesome to think about. However this is our greatest guess:
Somebody who buys a Hummer EV Pickup has a Ford F-150 Raptor or Ram TRX of their storage, however finds themselves driving the Tesla Mannequin S/X Plaid extra to keep away from filling the tank on their thirsty truck. This individual is very-tech ahead and loves having the newest and best automobile to point out to pals, household, and coworkers. The Hummer will allow them to consolidate down to 1 automobile whereas retaining each optimistic attribute of the Raptor/TRX and the Tesla.
If that description matches you, the Hummer EV Pickup could be good for you. If not, we predict the Ford F-150 Lightning is a way more sensible electrical truck and the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado 1500 EV and GMC Sierra 1500 EV will supply related options with out the Hummer’s baggage.