Opens a toy box full of surplus items
I come to a stop in the 2026 GMC Hummer EV 3X pickup truck on a sleepy country road with no traffic in sight. I tap the stability control switch twice to activate Watts to Freedom mode. The center screen displays a graphic of the pickup truck on a nighttime runway, the whir of a spaceship gives a sense of ceremony, and the digital instrument cluster displays a graphic asking if I want to continue.
I click “yes” with the switch on the steering wheel and then have to wait a few seconds while the air suspension lowers the truck 3.5 inches. The instrument cluster displays a graphic that says “Brake stronger.” I dutifully follow and the graphic changes to “Floor it.” I release the brake, a torque indicator graphic on the top of the IP indicates I’m using maximum torque, and the Hummer launches as hard as you’d expect from a supercar, weighing about 9,000 pounds. The sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour flies by in about three seconds. I’m in awe and try to scream, “Murica, f–yes!”
“Watts to Freedom” is one of the many extras the Hummer EV pickup has to offer. The Hummer was General Motors’ first new generation electric vehicle, and the company used all sorts of technology. This technology gives it good range, huge power, real off-road capability and a few party tricks to show your friends.
Power is provided by a trio of electric motors, which together produce a whopping 1,160 horsepower. In “Watts to Freedom,” the power is sudden and strong, and considering how much weight it requires to propel it, this is unexpected. The rest of the time, however, the power can be easily modulated so that you can plod along in traffic.
My tester has the optional 24-module 205 kWh battery, which increases the range from 312 to 363 miles. It’s a hefty $9,995 option. It just exacerbates the Hummer’s weight problem, and you’ll have to decide whether the extra range is worth that price. I do not think so.
Despite the reasonable range, the Hummer EV is not efficient for an electric vehicle. Its EPA rating is 1.49 miles per kWh, making it one of the least efficient electric vehicles on the market. Still, its MPGe ratings of 58 city, 46 highway, and 52 combined suggest it’s about as energy efficient overall as a Toyota Prius. It can handle DC fast charging up to 350kW, which can take just 45 minutes for a full charge, and comes with a 19.2kWh onboard charger for faster home charging.
Weight also affects ride and handling, but not as negatively as you would expect. Unlike the typical pickup ride with a rear end that can bounce back and forth due to its light weight, the Hummer’s weight is more evenly distributed front to back and it sits low. This helps the Hummer EV smooth the road. Its tires absorb shock well, providing a smooth ride that isn’t nearly as busy as other trucks.
Handling suffers from the weight, but isn’t much different than other full-size pickups. The Hummer EV pickup features advanced air suspension with adaptive dampers. With a standard ground clearance of 10.1 inches, the Hummer leans significantly into corners, but the steering is stable and direct, and this big truck is quite comfortable to drive.
It also has fantastic off-road capabilities for its size. The air springs provide a standard ground clearance of 10.6 inches. This can drop 3.5 inches in Watts to Freedom and entry/exit height. It can also be raised to 16.5 inches for an extraction mode designed to help the vehicle clear rocks or rise out of mud.
It’s all much easier with the available chunky 305/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires in the Extreme Off-Road package, but I prefer the ride and handling of my tester’s more road-friendly 305/55R22 Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT tires. The Hummer has a tendency to roll over on the off-road tires, which leads to very sloppy handling. It’s quieter with the 22s.
The Extreme Off-Road package also includes front and rear locking differentials, skid plates, rear recovery hooks, anti-tippers, and front and rear underbody cameras. This all helps the Hummer get through difficult terrain, but even without the off-road package, the Hummer has some extras that improve its maneuverability both on and off-road. They’re also neat party tricks to delight your friends with.
The most notable of these is Crab Walk. With the help of rear axle steering, the rear wheels are turned up to 10 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels. I tried it a few times because of the novelty. To use it, I stop with the steering wheel straight and then press and hold the 4-wheel steering button on the drive mode control wheel on the center console. I have to hold the button for a few seconds to trigger the crabwalk animation on the middle screen. From there, all you have to do is steer right or left to send the Hummer traveling diagonally at up to 20 miles per hour. Mostly it’s just a curiosity, but it could come in handy during a tight off-road maneuver.
However, King Crab’s off-road rear wheel steering mode would be even more useful. It turns the rear wheels twice as fast as the front wheels to swing the rear, which could be very useful on off-road switchbacks. Activation is the same as Crab Walk, except I have to press the king crab button, which looks like a crown with crab claws, opposite the 4 wheel steering button. It is ideal for shortening the turning radius, which is already short given the rear-axle steering.
The Hummer’s interior doesn’t feature the plush materials of a typical six-figure vehicle, but its faux leather and other surface materials feel suitably marine-worthy. The large screens, an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen also give it a high-tech feel. Space for five people is generous, and the 5-foot-long bed is useful, but not as practical as the 6.5- and 8.0-foot beds of the gas-aspirated alternatives.
The 2026 Hummer EV starts at $101,090, including a hefty $1,995 destination charge, for a rear-wheel-drive, dual-motor 2X model. The 3X model I drive starts at $107,295 to add the front motor, more power and watts for Freedom Mode.
If you choose a Hummer EV pickup, the extra money for the 3X model is worth it. Not only does it bring more power, it also brings more toys, and the toys are the main reason to choose this outsized tour de force of electric vehicle technology.
Images: GMC
