MOTORINGPURSUITS  08.24

2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV

The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV is one helluva eye-catching vehicle. It still looks like a military vehicle – something that people either love or hate – but with the introduction of the Hummer EV SUV cousin, the gas-guzzling reputation has been ditched.

If you are looking to save money, this is not your car – and that’s exactly the appeal for enthusiasts who are enamored by the Hummer EV SUV’s larger-than-life appearance and its throw-conservatism-out-of-the-window presence. This vehicle exudes attitude, confidence and a heck-of-an-interesting ride – and there’s a market for it amongst equally interesting people. Remember that GMC has extensive connections to NASA astronauts and the electrically powered Apollo 15 lunar rover that the company helped engineer. So, you’ll see touches of moonlike features in the Hummer EV SUV.

The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV’s tri-motor model accelerates incredibly fast considering its hefty weight, and its air springs provide a smooth, comfortable ride. Its rear-wheel steering, too, makes it ultra-agile. The EV SUV is the brother of the Hummer pickup with virtually everything identical. An 8.9-inch wheelbase reduction shrinks cargo space relative to the pickup but keeps the spacious rear-seat space. The SUV’s 126.7-inch wheelbase is still large by any standards.

This impressively powerful and quick vehicle features three electric motors with a combined 830 horsepower and 1200 pound-feet of torque, which launches the four-plus-ton leviathan to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

The vehicle’s off-road capabilities are very impressive. The Hummer SUV boasts an approach angle of 49.6 degrees, a breakover angle of 34.4 degrees, and a departure angle of 45.6 degrees. (Removing the spare tire bumps departure angle up to 49.0 degrees.) It also has up to 16 inches of ground clearance and 13 inches of wheel travel, can climb an 18-inch vertical wall, and can ford up to 32 inches of water.

According to Car and Driver who test-drove the vehicle, all of the Hummer’s drive modes affect throttle maps, torque distribution, steering, ride height, shock damping, braking, and interior sound enhancements. Off-Road mode is the go-to setting for general driving off the beaten path; it gives a good mix of increased damping, a sensitive but manageable accelerator, increased rear steering (0.6:1 of front angle), and a more aggressive rear virtual-locking differential. Terrain, the Hummer’s most capable off-road drive mode, takes everything up a notch by dampening throttle inputs for smoother torque application in hill- and rock-climbing situations. It features softer shock damping for better articulation than in Off-Road mode, and it has the most aggressive traction control and rear locker settings. Most impressive, Terrain mode also increases the rear steering angle to 1.2 times the front angle, which allows the rear axle to oversteer the front.

The vehicle has plenty of rear-seat space for loading in long-legged teenagers. The cargo area is big enough for five adult occupants’ luggage, although the high floor does create a bit of a squeeze.

GMC has introduced the limited-edition 2024 Hummer EV 3x Omega Edition with an exclusive new Neptune Blue Matte exterior color. The special edition includes an extreme off-road package, black exterior badges, transparent sky panels, exclusive high-lux carpet flooring, black beadlock mounted spare wheel, and a host of other attractive features.

In summary, the Hummer EV SUV is an exceptionally exciting ride. It accelerates like a sports car, handles like it’s thousands of pounds lighter, and it possesses a unique charm like no other vehicle. If you and your family are looking for a vehicle that is going to take you through a range of emotions – this is your ticket to loads of entertaining driving.

Acknowledgments: Car and Driver