Thirty years ago, AM General began selling a civilian version of their M998 Humvee. The original Hummer was equal parts capable, commanding, and entirely unique—they were legendary. The 1992 model came equipped with independent front and rear suspension, torsion differentials, and 37-inch tires. Now three decades into the future, Hummer has released another wagon, arguably more capable, more comfortable, and equally commanding as its forefather. And not coincidentally, the Hummer EV SUV is also engineered with IFS/IRS, and the ability to fit 37-inch tires.
The first thing I noticed about the 2024 Hummer EV was the proportions, a handsome combination of bold fenders, and large-diameter tires. The 39-degree approach and departure angle also added to the balanced presence, all communicating a vehicle fit for adventure. Easter Eggs also abound, with tasteful American flags on the pillars, LED lighting shape, and even the taillight H. The SUV is unmistakably Hummer, yet it still has enough daily driver subtlety that it will age well.
The SUV is similar to the truck in many ways, sharing the chassis architecture, the front clip, the interior, and most of the motor drive systems. The differences are reflected in total horsepower (830 horsepower in the SUV/1,000 horsepower in the truck), range (300 in the SUV/350 in the truck), and total battery capacity. The SUV has several advantages on the trail, including a 7-degree improvement in the departure angle and a two-degree improvement in breakover. In normal ride height, the SUV has an approach/departure of 39 degrees, which is better than most 4WDs on the market. But it just gets better once the higher ride heights are selected, with approach and departure achieving an impressive 44.3 and 41.8, respectively. The off-road goodies just keep coming, with 35-inch tires, full-length smooth skid plates, four-wheel steering, rock sliders, and over 12 inches of ground clearance.
Due to weather conditions, our trail time was limited, but I would like to compliment GMC on making the decision to cancel the trail ride route, as the drive would have created significant ruts and damage to the trail system (TreadLightly). Instead, we were able to experience the 4WD performance on a private off-road track. To say the Hummer is impressive would be an understatement, as the vehicle effortlessly overcame one obstacle after another, made all the more difficult by chassis-deep mud. This is where the IFS and IRS shine, as the driver can select a higher ride height and elevate the chassis above most rut depths. And if the mud is deep enough to hit the underbody, it is one continuous smooth skid plate, and nothing else hangs down. This means the Hummer can nearly glide across deeper sections of quagmire.
During our drive back south to San Francisco, I was able to find a few more sections of off-highway tracks to evaluate the Hummer. Most noticeable was the improved throttle and brake modulation calibration over the 2022 Hummer pickup we tested. The throttle is less sensitive and, thankfully, less aggressive on the initial tip-in. This results in better control on the road and on the trail, giving the driver improved vehicle confidence. The brake controls are also improved, better balanced with the regenerative braking to prove less grabby and more refined. The Hummer maintains traction through a combination of the rear virtual locker (both rear motors turning at the same speed) and the front driver-selectable mechanical locker. This results in the best performance in the segment on larger rocks and ledges.
The shorter wheelbase and improved departure angle of the SUV are also noticeable, feeling impossibly nimble when combined with the rear wheel steering. I also find EVs to be a joy to operate on the trail, as they are nearly silent, reducing the chance of spooking wildlife and improving the likelihood that you feel a part of the outdoor experience. There are numerous other excellent features and systems for 4WD travel, but the tires and wheels deserve the final note. GMC focused on retaining an 18-inch wheel for the off-road package and pairing it with a 35-inch diameter Goodyear Wrangler tire. This nearly hits the 2:1 magic ratio of the tire being twice the diameter of the wheel. And 2:1 will easily be achievable with a 37-inch tire, which fits without modification, and the dealer can calibrate the new tire size. The Hummer is really good on the trail and has one of the most comfortable trail rides of any 4WD we have ever tested (and a turning radius of less than a 2-door Wrangler).
On the road, the SUV is roomy and supremely comfortable, the long-travel independent airbag suspension soaking up larger events, while the 35-inch tires attenuate nearly all road noise and small impacts. There is some noise from the removable top panels and a bit of tire rumble, but it seems appropriate for the use case. The seats are also all-day comfortable, and when combined with the Super Cruise hand-free driver-assistance technology, the miles just melt away.
All of the road comfort and space also make for a good overland vehicle, with more than enough room to sleep inside and carry all of your gear. The rear barn door opens automatically via a motor drive, revealing a large load space. Anything that does not fit in the back can go in the dust-sealed frunk. I tend to use the frunk for tools, spares, emergency supplies, and recovery equipment. It moves the weight forward and makes it easy to access while on the trail.
Overall, the SUV is a joy to drive on the road and on the trail, with an ideal balance of comfort, capability, and capacity. My criticisms are few, with only the 50-mile range reduction when compared to the truck being notable. The vehicle is also wide (it is as wide as a Raptor R), which is more of a personal choice, but any buyer should know that going in. The SUV improves on the Hummer truck in many ways, making it an even better choice for overland travel for some buyers. We know the Hummer works on significant overland adventures, as we drove the truck over 150 miles of dirt across the length of El Camino Del Diablo, the longest overland track in the Lower 48. The 2024 Hummer EV SUV is all of the great things about the original Hummer, while also reaching 60 mph five times faster (big grin).
$105,000 | gmc.com
Rear shot of 2024 GMC HUMMER EV SUV with open swing-gate in grassy off-road location. With the rear seats folded down, the HUMMER EV SUV features 81.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
