I Test Drove the 2025 Hummer EV SUV: Here’s the Real Verdict

From battlefield icon to electric reboot

The Hummer started life as the military’s unstoppable Humvee, famously tough enough for Arnold Schwarzenegger to demand a civilian version. General Motors eventually bought the brand, giving us the H1, the slightly less intimidating H2, and the almost-normal H3. But soaring gas prices and a changing world weren’t kind to the brand, and Hummer faded away in 2010. Fast forward a decade, and amidst the EV revolution, GM revived the nameplate: Hummer was back, reborn under the GMC umbrella as an all-electric sub-brand. The 2025 Hummer EV SUV is the latest chapter, aiming to be an electric “supertruck” that blends iconic, imposing style with cutting-edge EV tech and extreme capability.

GMC

Unmistakably Hummer, unapologetically bold

The Hummer EV SUV makes zero apologies for its existence. It’s enormous, blocky, and instantly recognizable. The design carries forward the classic Hummer DNA – the upright stance, the seven-slot grille motif (reimagined for the EV era), the high beltline, and those short overhangs that scream “approach angle.” Distinctive LED lighting, including that full-width front light bar with “HUMMER” spelled out and H-shaped taillights, ensures nobody mistakes it for anything else. It retains the rugged, almost military aesthetic, updated with details like flush surfaces where possible. It’s a design built for presence, not subtlety.

GMC

GMC

Rugged tech, questionable quality

Step inside (and it‘s a step up), and the Hummer EV SUV strikes a balance between rugged functionality and a high-tech vibe. The dashboard design is cool and upright, dominated by a large 13.4-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver display. Thankfully, GMC included physical buttons for key controls – a welcome touch in our screen-obsessed world. The seats are uniquely Hummer, with special nameplates and a chunky design. Keep an eye out for fun Easter eggs hidden around the cabin, too, such as the embossed Hummer EV name within the door panels.

GMC

GMC

The available Infinity Roof, with its four removable transparent panels, offers a unique open-air experience, Jeep-style. In terms of interior materials, it’s a mixed bag; you’ll find some nice stitched surfaces and accents, but there’s also a surprising amount of hard, utilitarian plastic, especially considering the six-figure price tag. It feels durable, yes, but not as premium as the cost might suggest.

GMC

The tech is impressive on paper, with features like UltraVision offering helpful off-road camera views (including underbody perspectives), but the infotainment system, burdened by those cool-but-heavy Hummer graphics and animations, can feel laggy. It could certainly benefit from more processing power and RAM.

Engineering extremes

The Hummer EV SUV rides on GM’s flexible Ultium platform, featuring a massive 20-module battery pack with approximately 170 kWh of usable capacity, which gives this beast its roughly 300-315 miles of EPA-estimated range. That battery alone weighs nearly 3,000 pounds, contributing significantly to the SUV’s staggering 8,660-pound curb weight.

Power comes in two flavors: the 2X trim features a dual-motor setup (570 hp), while the 3X boasts a potent tri-motor configuration (one front, two rear) that delivers 830 hp. GMC loves to quote wheel torque figures (up to 11,500 lb-ft for the 3X), which sound astronomical but are amplified by gearing; the actual motor torque is likely closer to 1,100-1,200 lb-ft – still immense. Engage “Watts To Freedom” (WTF) mode in the 3X, and this four-ton land missile rips from 0-60 mph in a physics-defying 3.5 seconds (or less).

Related: Tesla Launches Killer Model 3 Lease Offer

The chassis tech is equally extreme. Standard Adaptive Air Suspension offers adjustable ride height, including the “Extract Mode,” which raises the body up to a total of 16 inches for clearing obstacles. Four-wheel steering is standard, drastically reducing the turning circle to an almost comical 35.4 feet and enabling the infamous “CrabWalk” feature, which allows diagonal movement at low speeds.

For serious off-roading, the optional Extreme Off-Road Package adds 18-inch wheels with aggressive 35-inch MT tires, extensive underbody skid plates, and an e-locker for the front diff. Charging is handled via an 800-volt architecture (although the battery is nominally 400V), allowing DC fast charging of up to 350 kW. This adds about 100 miles of range in around 10-14 minutes.

GMC

As expected, efficiency is not its strong suit, with a combined MPGe of around 50-53. To put that in perspective, a capable competitor like the Rivian R1S Tri-Motor achieves closer to 75 MPGe. In comparison, a hyper-efficient sedan like the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD boasts figures well over 130 MPGe. The Hummer EV requires significantly more energy to cover the same distance, a trade-off inherent in its extreme design philosophy.

Surprisingly civil, undeniably heavy

Behind the wheel, the Hummer EV SUV is a study in contrasts. The acceleration, especially in WTF mode, is genuinely shocking – the sheer violence of something this heavy launching that quickly is hard to comprehend. The standard air suspension provides a surprisingly comfortable and composed ride on pavement, absorbing bumps easily as you might expect. At the same time, the four-wheel steering makes it far more maneuverable in tight spaces than its dimensions suggest.

However, there’s no escaping the physics. At over 8,600 pounds, you feel the mass. Braking distances are long, and while the steering is reasonably precise, handling is ponderous. Push it into a corner, and significant body lean reminds you this vehicle was built for off-road use.

GMC

The Super Cruise hands-free driving system works well on compatible highways, offering smooth operation. Off-road, the Hummer EV is undeniably impressive, with its hardware and modes capable of tackling incredibly challenging terrain. However, its width and weight can still be limiting factors on tighter trails. Towing is rated at 7,500 lbs, but expect range to plummet dramatically when pulling a heavy load.

An electric statement piece

Acquiring a 2025 Hummer EV SUV requires shelling out some serious cash; let’s not pretend otherwise. The 2X trim kicks things off around $96,550, while the more potent 3X starts closer to the $105,000-$107,000 mark (before destination and options). That puts it right in the thick of the emerging “Super EV SUV” segment, alongside competitors like the Rivian R1S Tri-Motor, which also starts around $105k. So, while undeniably expensive, the Hummer EV’s pricing isn’t entirely out of line for this level of extreme capability and tech. Of course, start adding essentials like the Extreme Off-Road Package ($9,995) and that final price climbs rapidly into even more rarefied air, pushing towards its even pricier Cadillac Escalade IQ cousin (starting $130k).

GMC

Final thoughts

The 2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV is less a vehicle and more an event. It’s an audacious blend of iconic design and staggering electric performance. It absolutely delivers on its promise of extreme capability and head-turning presence. Driving this thing makes you feel like a certified badass, no question. The acceleration is comical, the off-road tricks are genuinely slick (if maybe a bit niche), and the open-air Infinity Roof adds a unique dimension. But it’s a vehicle defined by its extremes, which means making compromises. Its colossal weight impacts efficiency, handling, and braking. Its sheer size makes it a handful in tight spots, and the interior, while functional, doesn’t quite scream “luxury” the way the price tag does.

The Hummer EV isn’t trying to be the most practical or efficient EV SUV; it’s aiming to be the most Hummer. It’s built for the buyer who desires attention, demands extreme off-road capability, and is willing to pay the hefty price of admission. It’s imperfect, maybe even a bit absurd, but undeniably Hummer.