The Hummer’s history is relatively short, but it’s full of reinventions—the most recent being the 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV. This nameplate can trace its roots back to the 1980s with the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), a transport vehicle built for the Pentagon by AM General Corporation and used during the Persian Gulf War, quickly earning the nickname “Humvee.” When the company decided to make a civilian version in 1992, they called it the “Hummer,” and it made a splash with its large size, heavy weight, and imposing exterior. On the flip side, it also raised eyebrows with its extremely poor fuel economy.
The Hummer lasted long enough to go through three generations, shrinking considerably each time: around 8,000 lbs for the H1, 6,000 lbs for the H2, and 4,800 lbs for the H3. But incremental shrinking wasn’t enough to save the model as gas prices continued to rise and GM—which had acquired the Hummer brand back in 1999—filed for bankruptcy during the Great Recession. The Hummer was discontinued in 2010, but ten years later, GM announced that it would make a comeback.
While the 2022 GMC Hummer Pickup was even bigger than the H1 and weighed over 9,500 lbs, it could no longer be accused of guzzling gas thanks to its all-electric powertrain. This wasn’t the Hummer’s first run as a truck (as SUT variants have been around since the H2), but the original Hummer is certainly best remembered for its SUV version, which left some wondering whether the new EV Hummer would ever be available without an open bed.
With the reveal of the 2024 Hummer EV SUV, that time has come. Weighing in at 8,660 lbs, the latest version of the Hummer has all of the off-road capability, bold attitude, and interior space that fans of the original loved without any of the environmental baggage. What does the new electric powertrain bring to the table, and what else does the Hummer EV SUV have to offer? Let’s dive in and learn everything you need to know before you buy.
Gas Guzzler No More: The All-Electric Powertrain
The gas-powered Hummer never had great (or even average) fuel economy. When Car and Driver test-drove an H1 back in 1995, they observed that even its EPA rating of 10 MPG was a little too generous: they only observed 9 MPG. The more lightweight 2010 Hummer H3 was better but it still couldn’t crack 20 MPG, even on the highway, netting a combined city/highway rating of 16 MPG.
Since the Hummer EV SUV doesn’t use any gasoline, it doesn’t technically get any “miles per gallon;” so, to make things easy, the EPA uses a figure called MPGe (or “miles per gallon equivalent”) to make EVs comparable to their gas-powered counterparts. The 2024 Hummer EV SUV gets 53 MPGe overall, which breaks down to 48 MPG on the highway and 59 MPG in the city! On a full charge, its battery delivers a range of 314 miles, which is impressive for a vehicle of its size and weight, and it’s definitely practical for most drivers. Adding mud terrain tires to get more grip in extreme off-road environments brings those figures down a bit to 50 MPGe combined and 298 miles of range.
The original run of the Hummer had different powertrains that offered different levels of power, from a V8 in the H1 that delivered 190 hp to a V8 in the H2 that made 325 hp to an I-5 in the H3 that produced 239 hp. But whichever gas- or diesel-powered Hummer you look at, it’s easily overpowered by the Hummer EV SUV. Trims powered by the base two-motor setup deliver 625 hp, while those with three motors can produce 830 hp. To put that into perspective, the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R (a supercharged version of the already supercharged F-150 Raptor) boasts just 720 hp.
In addition to power and efficiency, the electric powertrain also has a few tricks up its sleeve. The Watts to Freedom feature lowers the Hummer’s body closer to the ground and gets the battery ready for a super-fast launch, allowing this EV SUV to accelerate from zero to sixty in just 3.5 seconds, according to GMC. There’s also an available Power Station generator that lets you use the Hummer’s battery as a power source for charging appliances or jump-charging another EV.
New Tech Features
With more than a decade separating the newest Hummer from its predecessors, it’s no surprise that more than just the powertrain got an upgrade. The 2024 Hummer EV SUV has plenty of other new features, both inside and out. Since the Hummer is known for its “more is more” attitude, it’s fitting that it sports a pair of enormous displays—a 13.4-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge display behind the wheel—and the features you can access through the touchscreen include futuristic gimmicks like 3D graphics.
The Hummer EV SUV also has the usual array of driver assistance features, like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind zone monitoring. It also sports some more unique and advanced offerings, like the Safety Alert Seat, which uses directional vibrations to warn you about danger, and GM’s Super Cruise, which lets you drive hands-free on hundreds of thousands of compatible highway miles.
Off-Road Capability
Since the Hummer is derived from the military Humvee, it’s always been known for its off-road chops; the electric version is just as capable, with a mix of old and new features designed to help drivers leave the pavement behind. Its battery pack and other underbody elements are fully protected by armor, with skid plates and rock sliders available in the Extreme Off-Road Package. The body itself was designed to deliver great approach, departure, and breakover angles so that this behemoth can tackle inclines and obstacles out on the trail.
Drivers who want to feel closer to nature and embrace fresh air will appreciate that the Hummer EV SUV comes standard with removable roof panels (or an “Infinity Roof,” as GMC calls it); these are designed to be simple to remove, and they cleverly fit in the Hummer’s front trunk so you can keep them handy while they’re not attached. The other exciting new feature is available 4-Wheel Steer. Driving a large, bulky vehicle can be tricky on tight off-road trails, so this feature can come in handy. In Auto mode, the front and rear wheels work together to help you make tighter turns. In CrabWalk mode, you can point all four wheels in the same direction to drive diagonally.
Intrepid Trim Levels
When looking at trims, one simple thing to keep in mind is that trims with “2” in the name have two motors, and those with “3” in the name have three. We’ve already explained the differences in power and range between the dual- and tri-motor setups, but of course, there are other differences between the trims…
The base 2X trim comes with standard features like adaptive air suspension for a smooth ride, 4-Wheel Steer, and removable roof panels. Justifying its high price tag (an MSRP of $98,845), the 2X also has a luxury interior that comes standard with features like tri-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, wireless phone charging, and a Bose 14-speaker sound system. The massive screens and advanced tech features (including Super Cruise) come standard, too.
Upgrading to the 3X trim gets you an extra motor, unlocking the Watts to Freedom feature for a more thrilling launch, as well as premium wheels with a shiny aluminum finish. The 3X Omega Edition adds exclusive gloss-black wheels and an exclusive blue matte paint color. The Edition 1 trim has transparent removable roof panels, an exclusive badge on the instrument panel, an exclusive green matte exterior paint color, and an exclusive “Lunar Shadow” interior.
The Latest Hummer Boldly Blends Old & New
The original Hummer was infamously divisive: a status symbol in some social circles and a punchline in others. Now, the Hummer EV SUV has thrown out the bathwater of its thirsty V8s while hanging onto the baby of off-road capability, interior space, and bold personality. While the new Hummer is well-rounded and has an extensive lineup of standard features on the 2X trim, there are some things worth keeping in mind if you plan to get one of these for yourself…
Remember that the highest power figures apply to models with three motors, the highest range figures apply to those with two motors, and some rugged features (like skid plates, locking differentials, rocker protectors, and underbody cameras) require the addition of the Extreme Off-Road Package, which can be added to any trim. Whether you’re looking to cruise around town in style or hit some treacherous trails, you’re sure to enjoy the trip in any 2024 Hummer EV SUV.
