What Is It?
The Hummer name has been part of General Motors since the late 1990s when it was used on the civilian version of the military Humvee off-road transport vehicle. That vehicle became notorious for being politically incorrect with excessive fuel consumption and an overall negative impact on the environment. Now GM brings back the Hummer name, and while it is appropriately worn on a large off-road truck, this one is all electric — the 2022 GMC Hummer EV.
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Test Vehicle
GMC provided us with a 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup Edition 1 painted in Interstellar White. As the first available version of the new Hummer EV, the Edition 1 comes fully loaded, so the test vehicle arrived without factory options. The total MSRP for the vehicle we drove is $110,295. Somewhat unique in the market, the closest competitors to the Hummer EV Pickup would be the Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1 or — in terms of capability — the Jeep Wrangler 4xe.
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More Coming
The Edition 1 is the only variant of the Hummer EV pickup GMC has produced thus far although three additional trims are planned. Other trims will be a Hummer EV2, EV2X and EV3X. Prices will start around $80,000 and each will have differing levels of power, performance and driving range.
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Ultium Platform
This Hummer is the first model built on the new General Motors Ultium Drive battery architecture. The foundation is a unique large-format pouch-style battery cell that can be stacked vertically or horizontally in the pack, depending on the vehicle’s application. The batteries are built low into the chassis for maximum flexibility and better driving dynamics. GM has announced several new EVs coming in the next few years, all of which will use this new Ultium platform.
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EV Design
“This is the first truck that we have ever designed around an EV propulsion system,” said Adam Kwiatkowski, GM executive chief engineer of global electric propulsion. “Designing the truck and the propulsion system together enhances HUMMER EV’s unique performance capabilities, while also making this the stiffest truck GM has ever built,” Kwiatkowski noted.
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Styling
The 2022 GMC Hummer EV is easy to spot on the road thanks to its wide stance, big tow hooks, exposed skidplates and a light bar that spans the grille with HUMMER spelled out. Running lights above the windshield and headlights integrated into the bumper add to the Hummer’s standout styling.
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Unique Silhouette
Unlike most pickup trucks, the 2022 GMC Hummer EV has short overhangs front and back and a high beltline with shorter windows, giving the Hummer a sporty look. The windshield is short enough to use three wipers for better surface coverage. Massive 35-inch off-road tires on 18-inch wheels framed by squared-off fender flares add to the bold look and indicate the truck’s capability.
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Rear View
Vertical taillights and a high tailgate give the Hummer a tall stance, further enhanced with HUMMER spelled out in large letters on the tailgate. The only thing missing are large exhaust outlets — since it’s an EV, the Hummer EV needs no exhaust pipes.
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Inner Space
The 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 comes fully loaded with premium materials throughout the cabin. Front seats are heated, cooled and trimmed in soft leather. It has a white and black two-tone treatment throughout the cabin, accented by Tech Bronze on the shifter, vents, doors and display screen. Glass roof panels give the cabin a more spacious feeling — even more so when removed. The panels can be stowed in a provided bag within the frunk (more on this later).
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Decent Storage
Front-seat passengers will find plenty of space for storing large and small items in the 2022 GMC Hummer EV. The covered center console offers plenty of real estate, and ahead of the cupholders sits a wireless charging pad. Below the center console, a large cubby can easily handle a large bag or purse.
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Primary Display
At the center of the dashboard resides a new 13.4-inch infotainment display. Climate controls are at the bottom of the screen in a dedicated section of the display, while shortcuts for vehicle settings, trailer towing functions, navigation and audio remain static on the left. The only physical knob on the display is volume control. The display itself is not well integrated into the dash, as if the screen was added after the dash was already designed.
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Driver Display
The sizeable 12.3-inch driver display of the 2022 GMC Hummer EV is completely configurable and easy to read. It’s so bright it does not require a hood, which is commonly used to block sunlight from obscuring the gauges.
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Rear Seats
Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of legroom and headroom in the 2022 GMC Hummer EV. The flat floor ensures even middle-seat passengers will not be cramped, although the cushions are a bit stiff. Like the Sierra pickup, the Hummer EV features additional storage cubbies in the seatbacks. Passengers in the back are able to control the climate (outboard seats are heated). Dual USB ports between front seatbacks keep devices charged.
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Cargo Area
The 2022 GMC Hummer EV comes with a 5-foot truck bed that can be a bit limiting for transporting longer items. The bed has multiple tie-downs on the sides and bottom, as well as a standard 120-volt power outlet. A power-operated tonneau cover keeps cargo secure and dry. Also standard on the Hummer EV is GMC’s innovative MultiPro Tailgate, which features six functions that can aid in securing longer loads or provide a step for easy access to the bed. Due to the weight of one of the largest battery packs on the market, the Hummer EV has only a 1,300-pound cargo capacity — including the occupants.
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Frunk
For additional secure storage, the Hummer EV comes with a front trunk (frunk) that provides up to 11.3 cubic feet of storage where the internal combustion engine normally resides. Integrated straps help keep cargo secure.
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EV Power
Three electric motors power the Hummer EV Edition 1, producing a combined 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. A single motor powers the front wheels, featuring an electronic locking differential that can send up to 100 percent of the torque to the left or right for ultimate traction. Two rear motors independently power the rear wheels, with the ability to vary torque to each wheel; the motors can also be synced to simulate a locking differential.
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Batteries
The Ultium batteries are produced using GM’s nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum chemistry. This design uses much less cobalt than previous GM units. Since cobalt is a rare and expensive material, this application conserves resources and ultimately lowers the cost of production. The battery cells for the Hummer are produced as part of a joint venture with LG Chem at a new facility in Lordstown, Ohio.
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Efficiency
The U.S. EPA has not yet rated the Hummer EV’s fuel economy or range. GM claims the driving range to be around 350 miles. At a 95 percent charge, the trip computer displayed just over 300 miles. During our drive, we averaged 1.3 miles per kw/h, which equates to about 44 mpg. And although the 2022 GMC Hummer EV is one of the least efficient electric vehicles we’ve ever driven, 44 mpg is not bad for a 10,000-pound 1,000-horsepower off-road pickup truck.
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Four-Wheel Steering
The Hummer EV features a unique 4-wheel steering system that allows the rear wheels to steer in the opposite direction of the fronts for better maneuverability at slower speeds, or in the same direction as the front wheels for better high-speed performance. At one point during our test drive, we had to turn around on a narrow dirt track in the woods (a tree had come down, blocking our path). Even with 4-wheel steering, turning around in the tight space proved difficult.
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CrabWalk
One of the 2022 GMC Hummer EV’s most remarkable features is the CrabWalk. At slow speeds (up to 1.2 mph), the rear wheels can match the steering angle of the front wheels up to 10 degrees to “crab walk” — moving the vehicle diagonally. The CrabWalk feature is designed so the EV can maneuver in tight off-road situations, but it seems to be useful for a few very specific situations. Still, it’s a very cool party trick.
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Extract Mode
As part of its adaptive air suspension, the 2022 GMC Hummer EV features Extract Mode, which raises the suspension by almost 6 inches to a maximum of 15.9 inches, making it possible to traverse large obstacles or ford up to 32 inches of water. The system also allows for almost 13 inches of suspension travel.
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WTF
While possessing impressive off-road capability, this new Hummer earns its super truck designation with incredible on-road acceleration. The “Watts to Freedom” (WTF) mode takes full advantage of the 1,000 horses to launch the EV from a standstill to 60 mph in a swift 3.0 seconds. Although we didn’t try this system, the Hummer EV is still extremely quick in standard driving mode.
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On the Road
For such a large truck, the Hummer EV is surprisingly smooth and comfortable on the road even with its large off-road tires. Cruising around town or at high speed on the highway, the Hummer is easy to drive with plenty of power on tap, and the 4-wheel steering aids handling. During our drives we noticed considerable road and wind noise at highway speeds — perhaps even more so in the absence of any engine noise. The noise was loud enough to require turning up the audio system, and as a result it wasn’t easy to hear and be heard on a Bluetooth phone call.
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Strong Acceleration
Even though the vehicle weighs almost 10,000 pounds, the Hummer EV’s 1,000 horsepower means this machine delivers extreme acceleration. The all-wheel-drive system provides excellent grip, so full throttle results in virtually no wheelspin on pavement. But with speeds rising so quickly, drivers will have to be on the alert since this vehicle is no sports car. The all-wheel-drive system and torque vectoring are helpful, but ultimately this EV’s significant mass doesn’t want to change direction quickly, especially at higher speeds. Physics always wins.
Super Cruise
The 2022 GMC Hummer EV is the first production model equipped with the latest version of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system. Employing a driver attention system and LiDAR map data, the system is available on more than 200,000 miles of compatible roads in North America. This latest version also has a new automatic lane change feature. At one point we had the Super Cruise set to 70 mph, driving with hands off the steering wheel and feet off the pedals. Approaching a slower vehicle, the Hummer signaled left and automatically changed lanes, resuming its programmed speed. Initially, this can be a little unsettling, but the system works smoothly and effectively.
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Off-Road
One afternoon we took the Hummer EV down a favorite off-road path into the woods near Carnation, Washington, and discovered the big truck maintains its comfortable ride even on surfaces pitted with deep holes and rocks. Acceleration on loose dirt is impressive. The big truck takes off rapidly in a straight line — completely controlled and predictable with just a bit of wheelslip.
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In the Mud
The Hummer EV is equally impressive in deep mud, with plenty of ground clearance and good traction. The 4-wheel steering is also quite useful for maneuvering around tight spots. However, when trying to climb over a berm of wet mud during one of our drives, the Hummer had some trouble — the massive weight pushed the vehicle into the mud rather than driving over it.
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Rating: 8.0
The Hummer EV is unlike any other pickup truck on the market, which is both good and bad. With its standout styling and roomy, luxurious interior, it can hold a certain attraction for customers looking to make a bold statement. Adding in the Hummer’s extreme power, off-road prowess and high-tech features, this electric truck does have considerable appeal. However, its limited cargo capacity and high price make the Hummer more of a showpiece than a functional pickup truck, but for some owners that won’t matter.
