The Hummer is back and this time it’s entirely different proposition. Scheduled for a fall 2021 release and sporting a hefty price tag, the Hummer has been resurrected as an electric super truck, now built for green off-roading.
Based on the US military’s “Jeep on steroids” Humvee, which was designed at the end of the 70s and came into use in the 80s, the civilian-repurposed Hummer first became available in 1992, thanks to lobbying from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The main appeal of the Hummer was in its off-road capabilities, which really were second to none. With independent front and rear suspension, 37-inch tires, and a massive 16-inch ground clearance, the Hummer could take on pretty much any land surface. Its rugged prowess came at a cost though: the Hummer could only achieve around 9mpg and 0-60mph in an eternal 18 seconds.
General Motors bought the Hummer from AM General in 1999. With base prices around the $90k mark, the Hummer quickly became a status symbol favored by the rich and famous. The H2, designed as a slightly smaller version of the Hummer, was a hit, but increasingly Hummers’ insatiable gas guzzling (10/13mpg city/highway) came in for criticism for its impact on the environment.
In the 2000s, GM went on to release the H2 SUT (12mpg) and the H3 (14/18mpg city/highway), but many drivers were shunning the Hummer on account of its negative image. The global economic crisis that hit in 2008 would spell the end for the Hummer, as GM looked to prune its line-up, meaning the HX concept imagined in 2007 would never be manufactured.
Dramatic developments in battery technology over the last decade, however, have changed the game, and GM’s interest in electric vehicles is being realized in the form of the Hummer making a comeback in the fall of 2021.
One of our top 10 most anticipated vehicles of 2021, the 2022 GMC Hummer EV is something to get excited about—but then it really should be with a sticker price of over $110k.
Introducing the Reimagined Hummer: An Electric Super Truck
Many details are yet to be announced, and those that have been released are GM estimates. The 2022 GMC Hummer EV is set to be released as a sole ‘Edition 1’ model in the fall of 2021, with further trims available in the following three years.
An estimated driving range of over 350 miles, or 100 miles for 10 minutes’ charging, certainly puts the original Hummer’s 9 mpg in perspective. That 18-second 0-60mph is now down to just 3 seconds too.
However, it’s the off-roading technology that’s really exciting, as you’d expect from the Hummer. It offers underbody armor, independent front and rear suspension as standard, 4-wheel steering, and UltraVision with up to 18 cameras.
CrabWalk mode allows you to turn the rear wheels up to 10 degrees in either direction, meaning you can drive diagonally on tight trails. Extract mode, meanwhile, allows around 6” of further ground clearance for getting over boulders. Sun-deflecting Transparent Sky Panels complete the package for almost 360º exploring.
The interior styling takes inspiration from space exploration vehicles, only with heightened luxury, and technology placed front and center in the form of a 13.4” color touchscreen providing the interface for custom data, settings and controls. The Driver Information Center behind the steering wheel is another 12.3” color display.
Reimagined as an electric space-age exploration off-roader, the 2022 Hummer will soon find out whether it can shake its negative image for good.
2022 GMC Hummer EV: Key Facts
Release date: Fall 2021
MSRP: $112,595
Battery power:
The Ultium battery will provide up to 350kw and offer 800V DC fast charging
Available charging up to 100 miles in 10 minutes
100 miles in 10 minutes†
Performance:
3 motors
Estimated driving range of 350+ miles
DRIVING RANGE OF 350+ MILES†
1,000 hp / 11,500 lb-ft of torque
0-60mph: 3 seconds (approx.)
Ground clearance: 11.9” Terrain Mode/ 15.9” Extract Mode
Features:
- Luxury interior featuring HD touchscreen and all-weather flooring
- Standard electronic all-wheel drive
- ‘Crabwalk’ and ‘Extract’ modes for ultimate off-roading
- 35-inch all-terrain tires
- Infinity removable roof and power rear drop window
- MultiPro tailgate with six settings
- UltraVision with underbody cameras
- Super Cruise driving assistance
Upcoming: More Trims
With reservations now full for the ‘Edition 1’, the three further trim options set to be released in the following three years could be the best shot at owning one of these for most:
Fall 2022: Hummer EV 3X
MSRP: $99,995
Estimated driving range: 300+ miles
Power: 800 hp / 9,500 lb-ft of torque
Spring 2023: Hummer EV 2X
MSRP: $89,995
Estimated driving range: 300+ miles
Power: 625 hp / 7,400 lb-ft of torque
Spring 2024: Hummer EV 2
MSRP: $79,995
Estimated driving range: 200+ miles
Power: 625 hp / 7,400 lb-ft of torque
Protection for Your 2022 Vehicle
However much of a military- or space-grade beast your vehicle is, you don’t want to get caught out with no coverage and end up paying thousands on repairs.
We’re here to help drivers make better decisions by giving you the lowdown on new vehicles, their reliability, likely repairs and everything to do with extended warranties.
We’ve reviewed the major extended warranty providers based on our own experiences—read them all here. You can learn more about the different ways you can protect your vehicle here.
You can also go straight to our buyer guide, which takes through the main considerations when taking out coverage for your vehicle.
Sources
GMC: https://www.gmc.com/electric-truck/hummer-ev
Popular Mechanics: https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/hybrid-electric/a34441259/hummer-history/
Time Magazine: http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1838777,00.html
Car and Driver: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34412909/2022-gmc-hummer-ev-revealed/
