2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV Damaged My 300ZX And Drained My Home Charger. But I Love It

When I pulled up to my driveway in the 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, kids were playing hockey in the street. They all paused as they stared in awe at the massive contraption heading their way. Wanting to entertain them further, I activated CrabWalk, allowing the gargantuan Hummer to creep towards them in a lunar-like diagonal fashion. The kids went nuts.

When you activate CrabWalk in a Hummer EV, the back-up camera defaults to a secondary display that focuses on your wheels. This helps you know where they’re pointing as you attempt to steer the beast. But even once the system is turned off while reversing, that camera stays on the screen. You need to manually reactivate the back-up camera. So when I began backing up into my driveway, I couldn’t see my ultra-low 1990 Nissan 300ZX parked behind me. So busy and overwhelmed by my daily parental duties, I completely forgot that my Japanese classic was casually sitting deep inside my driveway.

A light t hump was felt from the rear of the truck. “What was that” – I remember thinking. Oh, god! It was the ZX. I nervously assessed the damage. The front bumper was scratched pretty badly. Luckily, nothing was broken. A quick sand job and a respray would suffice. The Hummer, of course, was fine.

It wasn’t the Hummer’s fault. It was mine. The Hummer EV is a big clumsy brute. It leads to big clumsy problems. It’s also the size of a bus, and weighs about the same too. It also consumed energy at the same rate as Tony Stark’s arc reactor. Yet, I can’t hate it. The Hummer EV is uselessly adorable.

2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV First Impressions

This thing looks nuts. Actually, the Hummer EV looks arguably better in SUV form due to its boxy shape, uninterrupted by the absence of a bed. I also appreciate how GM stayed true to the original design concepts, particularly the love-it-or-hate-it H2 from the early 2000s. This is unmistakably a Hummer.

There’s honestly nothing about the way this thing looks that I dislike. Even the large LED bar up front looks cool with the HUMMER font on it. That says a lot coming from someone who normally despises these things. The cut-outs in the front bumper help give the truck a menacing look. They also reveal the knobby all-terrain tires. The Hummer EV looks purposeful.

It also all looks like something straight out of the Halo universe, as if it’s ready to drive us around on a lunar surface. Love or hate the Hummer EV, you’ve got to give credit to General Motors (GM) for pulling this off.

Exterior Dimensions

2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV: Differences Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

The Hummer SUV’s lineup is all rather straight forward, with only two available trim levels based on the number of electric motors you select (two or three). Loyal to itself, GM offers this thing with an identical trim ladder on both sides of the border. The main distinction between both markets are the available packages and paint colors. For instance, the truck you’re seeing here has the Omega Edition package, which is exclusive to the Canadian market.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown

Driving Impressions And Performance

The Hummer EV is equipped to take on serious terrain thanks to up to 16 inches of ground clearance (when its air suspension is raised) and 13 inches of suspension travel. It also comes with a variety of drive modes to enhance its go-anywhere capability, not forgetting the 35-inch tires from the available Extreme Off-Road package.

But I did precisely 0% offroading while I had the Hummer EV in my possession, mostly due to lack of time, but also because I live in an area where public off-road land is increasingly difficult to find.

Instead, I enjoyed the Hummer EV as the cartoonish electric vehicle (EV) that it is, also appreciating it as a convertible while amusingly blasting myself out of the hole using the Watts To Freedom (WTF) launch control sequence. That’s a ton of fun, and worryingly unfathomable considering that this behemoth will hit 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds, or about the same time as most sports cars.

Such performance comes courtesy of three permanent magnet AC motors (two on the rear axle) churning out a combined 830 horsepower and a tarmac-crunching 1,200 lb-ft of torque. Supplying energy to those motors is a frame-mounted – because, yes, this is a body-on-frame setup – 170-kWh lithium-ion battery based on GM’s Ultium EV architecture. In SUV form, the Hummer EV will tow up to 7,500 pounds.

Punch the accelerator at any speed, and the Hummer EV squats rearward and lurches ahead with the same kind of intensity as a V10-powered Lamborghini. Except, there’s no engine sound. Only the tire roll from the huge tires makes its way into the otherwise vault-like cabin.

Under hard acceleration, the Hummer EV remains stable and relatively easy to control. But it’s also always soft and wobbly. Similar to a competition trophy truck, the Hummer bobs and weaves, constantly adjusting its Air Ride suspension to compensate for the excessive body roll. But the end result remains highly satisfying and easy to grasp. Brakes bite hard, and the chassis never feels overwhelmed by the surplus of weight and power. It’s fun to drive and never intimidating.

Performance Specifications

2024 GMC Hummer EV Energy Consumption And Range

Sure, the Hummer EV doesn’t consume gasoline, nor does it emit any harmful tailpipe emissions. But it still consumes energy like a hog. According to the EPA, the best it can do is 53 MPGe combined. I pulled a slightly lower 52 MPGe. The range, however, remains relatively decent at a claimed 314 miles. Then again, considering its battery has almost three times the output of a Chevy Bolt EV, that number is only fine.

Luckily, fast-charging that battery happens at the industry-leading rate of 350 kW. That’s if you can find a charger that can handle it. I highly suggest you prioritize ultra high-output chargers, or else it could take you a long time to replenish your Hummer. For reference, when I connected it to a 180-kW charger at 5% charge, yes, it steadily pulled at that rate, but after about 30 minutes it had barely gotten past the 50% mark.

Home charging was equally long on my 7.1-kW Flo G5 unit. It took me a full 20 hours from 10 to 100%. Luckily, the Hummer EV is equipped with a 19.2-kW onboard charger. That’s huge by EV standards. In other words, if you’re going to commit to the larger than life Hummer EV, I suggest you also commit to larger than life charging equipment to make your life easier.

EPA And As Tested Energy Consumption

Interior Design And Comfort

The Hummer EV’s interior looks just as futuristic and utilitarian as its exterior design, but the Spartan look is somewhat of a disappointment considering how much this thing costs. Sure, the adventure-ready theme would look a little weird if the Hummer’s interior leaned more towards posh and high-end European alternatives. That, I can forgive.

But it’s the amount of cost-cutting you’ll find inside a Hummer EV that is borderline unacceptable, notably from cheap plastics and, worse, underwhelming build quality. When a passenger sitting in the rear of my press unit tried to buckle their seatbelt, the belt’s plastic trim ripped right out of the Hummer’s C pillar. My truck’s charge port door was also on the verge of ripping off from how unhinged it had already gotten.

Otherwise, it’s a rather cool place to sit inside. Everything is big, blocky and easy to grasp. Physical toggle switches allow you to electronically lock axles. The massive, Tonka-like shift knob reminded me of one of my son’s toys. And the trio of windshield wipers resting at the base of a stubby, 90-degree windshield constantly reminded me I was driving something out of the ordinary. The Hummer EV made me feel like I was six years old again.

It’s also spacious in there. Like spacious. That’s where the Hummer’s size comes to an advantage. Whether you’re sitting up front or in the rear, leg, hip and headroom are never an issue. Three adults can sit comfortably in the rear seats without feeling squeezed.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

What’s interesting about the Hummer EV is that although it’s an electric vehicle from GM, it doesn’t utilize the same infotainment system as The General’s latest models like the Equinox, Blazer and Silverado EV. Instead of a full-on tablet, it’s comprised of two separate screens. It’s kind of a transitional system that blends GM’s old features with its new tech. If you want my honest opinion, it’s the best of both worlds if you want my honest opinion.

What I mean by this is that it doesn’t force you to subscribe, log in and download your apps inside the car. It’s still Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatible, but also encompasses a slew of neat features for charge monitoring, towing or adventure seeking. The interface also wears a slick skin that further emphasizes the we ‘re heading to Mars theme. This is all extended to the digital display, which can also be customized to your liking.

Cargo And Storage Space

Due to its large size, the Hummer SUV offers a generous amount of cargo space, but the high floor does take away from the available real estate. The trunk itself holds a tad less cargo than a Chevrolet Suburban. Fold those rear seats flat, and the Hummer SUV gets outclassed by a Honda Pilot. 87 cu-ft. Thankfully, there’s a large frunk (front trunk). It adds an extra 11.3 cu-ft to the equation.

Nobody Needed It. But We Will Remember It

It was obvious from the get-go that nobody needed the return of the Hummer nameplate. There’s a reason GM pulled the plug on the entire brand in 2010. It was a ridiculous idea then, and it’s a ridiculous idea now. And while it may be kinder to the environment, the Hummer EV represents the same level of excess we despised its ancestors for.

Yet, it’s impossible not to fall in love with it. The Hummer EV may look like its about to wreak havoc as it’s launching towards you at McLaren F1-rivaling speeds. But it’s in reality an easy thing to live with. It’s a tender teddy bear of a brute that’s always looking to have a bit of fun. Even when it’s damaging your property.