The GMC Hummer EV features some impressive technology that makes it one of the most interesting vehicles recently released. That technology mostly revolves around power and off-road features. This is a huge truck that can practically demolish a supercar in a straight line while also being able to drive down a rough road. It is by no means a true off-roader or sports car, but it manages to perform great in both segments. However, not all is perfect. Aside from the positives, some key drawbacks make the EV Hummer a questionable buy. Let’s have a look at five pros and five cons of the GMC Hummer EV.
Love It: The Hummer EV Offers Outstanding Performance
Let’s start with the positives. The EV Hummer offers outstanding performance and that is purely down to the power delivery properties of electric motors. As you may be aware by now, electric motors pump out all their torque instantly. Meaning that when you push the accelerator there is no need to wait for it to reach a certain RPM at which peak torque is produced. To make the instant torque factor even more apparent, this truck produces an excessive but fun 11.500 pound-feet of it. Yes, that is enough to demolish a large skyscraper. Accompanying the massive amounts of torque is a Bugatti Veyron-esque horsepower figure of 1,000 horses. With such numbers, you can understand why the EV Hummer will have no issues demolishing most supercars on the road – even while weighing upwards of 9,000 pounds.
Leave It: The EV Hummer Has Excessive Tire And Wind Noise
The Hummer EV suffers from a lot of road noise. Since there is no engine to mask other noises, when cruising down the motorway, you can hear the big 35-inch off-road tires rumble away. Also, wind noise is noticeable due to the size and sharp edges of the Hummer EV. Both above criticisms would have been far less important in an internal combustion vehicle. However, the silence of EVs reveals plenty of sounds that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Love It: It Is A Good Off-Roader
The media tends to exaggerate the off-road abilities of the EV Hummer; however, there is no denying the fact that a truck this big and heavy can go down a trail decently. Its abilities are due to the large off-road tires, the air suspension, and traction control system that when combined give this behemoth the clearance and grip it needs to go up a trail. Since this is an EV, the Traction control is even more effective than on normal vehicles. This is because electric motors are easier to control. Furthermore, buttons inside can tell the front and rear motors to simulate a front and rear diff lock which further increases grip. Its weight, size, and independent suspension mean it’s never going to be a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco rival. However, it can be considered a capable off-roader.
Leave It: The Battery Doesn’t Last Long Enough Off Road
Another issue with the EV Hummer is related to the previous one and that is the off-road range. While off-roading we cover short distances over long periods. Furthermore, in some instances, we require a lot of power to drive over obstacles. On a normal vehicle, this increases fuel consumption, but it isn’t a dealbreaker. With EVs, however, this problem is more profound. The EV range can decrease by as much as 50-percent. Since the best trails are located in remote areas charging up again can be very difficult. This is a huge drawback not just for the Hummer but all electric trucks. Currently, the electric technology available isn’t adequate for such large vehicles. They can’t be environmentally friendly or convenient to use due to range. That being said, there is no denying that the Hummer EV is an impressive and capable machine.
Love It: For Its Size, It Can Stay Composed Through Turns
A vehicle this large and heavy that is fitted with tall off-road tires will never be brilliant around corners. That being said, the EV Hummer manages to stay composed thanks to clever suspension, a wide track, and the same traction aids that work great off-road. As is always the case with air suspension, the EV Hummer can lower itself which reduces the center of gravity. This means that it manages to feel slightly lighter than it actually is. Sure, you can certainly feel the tall off-road tires folding while begging for grip, but the vehicle always feels planted and controlled.
Leave It: The EV Hummer Cannot Tow For Long
While the Hummer EV has the power and technology to tow well, it is let down by the electric system. The EV range is heavily dependent on efficiency and aerodynamics which means that as soon as you hook up a trailer, the range available can drop by as much as 50-percent. Therefore, a truck that could originally do 300 miles can now only manage 150. This is the exact issue the Hummer EV has. Just the time spent charging up deems this vehicle useless at towing unless it is for a very short distance.
Love It: It Blends Electric Looks With Old-School Truck Design Elements Brilliantly
It must be said that the designers at GMC have done a great job when it comes to the way this vehicle looks. Being electric, its design incorporates some futuristic elements which can be difficult to blend into a squared-off truck design. In this case, the old-school front grill paired with the squared arches, rounded nose, and angular bed seem to work great together. There is no denying that the truck looks like the old Hummer’s future relative which is exactly what it is. It must also be mentioned that the great design elements carry on to the interior with a great dashboard layout and futuristic and useful screens.
Leave It: The EV Hummer Is Not Built That Well
So far, it seems that the Hummer EV isn’t built all that well. For starters, owners have had issues with interior buttons malfunctioning while the infotainment system can be glitchy at times. It must be said, however, that the graphics available are some of the best we’ve ever seen on a vehicle. Interior materials seem good but could be better for the price while there are some potential issues with the protection system that covers the batteries. These are problems that should have been fixed before launch, but have found their way into the production versions.
Love It: There Is Plenty Of Space Inside
The Hummer EV is a huge vehicle. To be precise, it is 217 inches long and 87 inches wide. As you would expect, the massive exterior translates to a massive interior. This means that if you want to use your EV Hummer as a family vehicle you will have absolutely no issues doing so. We are sure that the little ones will have plenty of space and gadgets to keep them occupied inside. Just the screens and sheer size of the thing are enough to captivate the brain of any child. So, no more “Are we there yet?” questions.
Leave It: The Hummer EV Isn’t Environmentally Friendly
Stating that an electric vehicle isn’t environmentally friendly is a controversial subject; however, in this instance it makes sense. The EV Hummer is as heavy as roughly three city cars combined. Therefore, the rate at which it will chew through tires, brakes, and other consumables will be far greater than a normal car. This is damaging to the environment. Now, the most damaging part of all is the production process. Just imagine how much energy is used to source and ship the huge batteries and all the steel necessary to build such a large vehicle. In our opinion, the emission-free outcome doesn’t justify the extensive production process.