The Chevrolet Avalanche may have ended production some seven years ago now, but the truck remains a fan favorite for one of its most innovative features: the "midgate". Simply put, the midgate allowed owners to instantly extend the carrying capacity of the truck bed by folding down the panel behind the rear seats, which separated the bed from the cabin.

Like the Avalance, the new 2022 GMC Hummer pickup has a cabin and pickup bed that form one continuous piece, prompting many to speculate that the Hummer would make use of the same clever design. Ultimately, that didn't happen, but it very nearly did, according to GMC Hummer Exterior Design Manager John Mack.

Speaking to Muscle Cars & Trucks recently, Mack said that "there was [a midgate] early on," but that in the end, GM "opted for the functionality of the drop glass in the back. With the package layout and things like that it was not advantageous to pursue [a midgate]. And the 5 foot bed was kind of the industry standard in regards to price of entry in that segment."

The rear drop glass on the new Hummer is powered, making it able to retract at the push of a button - a feature with limited utilitarian value, but one that complements the removable "infinity roof" panels and allows for even more open-air freedom off-road.

As a truck aimed squarely at off-roading enthusiasts and hip early adopters, the GMC Hummer EV's bed capacity is less of a crucial attribute than on a more utilitarian pickup truck, anyway, and at 5-feet long, it matches the bed of the forthcoming Rivian R1T and Nikola Badger. The Tesla Cybertruck and Bollinger B2 pack substantially larger cargo beds, and the Bollinger will even feature a full-length passthrough for carrying items up to 16 feet in length, but it's a safe bet that buyers will seldom need that much carrying space.

And if they do, then hey, there's always the covered "frunk" area at the front of the truck.