Hummer EV SUV

Make
GMC
Segment
SUV

Making its official debut a few months after its pickup truck sibling, the 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV arrived sporting up to three electric motors producing up to 830 horsepower and a staggering 11,500 lb-ft of torque. This insane power output allows the Hummer EV SUV to complete the sprint to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds using the available Watts To Freedom launch control feature. These performance specifications are highly impressive, but they are notably lower than the EV3X and Edition 1 versions of the Hummer EV Pickup.

In its most potent form, the pickup truck produces 1,000 hp, 170 more than the SUV. It's a bit quicker, too, hitting 60 mph in three seconds flat compared to 3.5 seconds. During a call to discuss the new Hummer EV SUV, GMC explained why this model has less power than its truck counterpart. The main reason relates to the SUV's shorter wheelbase.

"We have approximately a nine-inch shorter wheelbase on XUT [the internal name for the pickup] versus SUV," explained chief engineer Al Oppenheiser. The shorter wheelbase leaves less room for battery modules. "We could have played around with module packaging, but that compromises cargo space and a flat load floor. We didn't want to do that."

While the shorter wheelbase limits the SUV's total output, it delivers some benefits as well. Compared to the truck, the SUV has a superior turning radius, departure angle, and breakover angle, making it the slightly more competent off-roader.

Lead engineer Andy Oury added: "Flexibility and scale have always been part of the plan with the Hummer EV platform. Scaling the battery with the wheelbase is the right thing to do. Continuous structural elements from the front bumper to the rear bumper, above, below, and around the battery are the things that enable features like the removable sky panels. That's such a big win for the vehicle and the customer. It doesn't make sense to compromise that amazing structure to have a fixed mindset for the modules."

GMC didn't seem apologetic about the Hummer EV SUV's performance.

"Frankly, we are not sorry that it's 'only' 830 horsepower. There aren't many internal combustion engines that can say that," Oppenheiser joked. The man in charge of reviving the Hummer even hinted at a more powerful version. "Will we be able to grow horsepower in the future?" he said. "We are going to push that capability, and as the technology gets to the point where our batteries are smaller and more efficient, we will improve performance with any chance we get."