2026 GMC Hummer EV Expert Review
Reviewed by Billy Rehbock
When the Rivian R1T is too obvious, the F-150 Lightning is too conventional, and the Cybertruck is too off-putting, try the 2026 GMC Hummer EV.
Introduced for the 2022 model year, the hulking pickup returns with a smattering of updates including a high-performance Carbon Fiber Edition package with 1,160 hp.
What’s New
Basics
- Updated damper tuning for improved ride quality
- Standard King Crab off-road rear-steer drive mode
- Carbon Fiber Edition with model-specific software
- Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging
- Updated Super Cruise with Hands on Lane Change Assist and Lane Change for Route
Exterior
- Coastal Dune and Auburn Matte paint colors
Interior
- Granite Drift and Stealth Eclipse interior themes
- A higher-resolution 13.4-inch infotainment display with a split-view function
- New entertainment options for Google built-in software
What We Think
GMC has successfully carved out a niche for the Hummer EV Pickup. By going bigger than any of its rivals, the electric truck stands out from the segment with its enormous dimensions, ridiculous acceleration, and surprising off-road abilities.
As ostentatious and silly as the Hummer EV is, it’s more practical than you’d expect. Thanks to its standard air ride suspension and rear steering, the electric pickup is comfortable and maneuverable.
Driving GMC’s truck with enthusiasm is another story; the massive SUV sloshes and wallows as the adaptive suspension tries to cope with the Hummer’s weight. We hope the Hummer EV’s new damper tune sorts out this issue.
Though numb, the steering’s accuracy is the EV’s saving grace and allows you to place the GMC’s tires where you want them. Acceleration is devastatingly quick, especially for a vehicle weighing about four and a half tons. However, poor braking performance means you need to be especially mindful of your speed.
By all definitions, the GMC Hummer EV is a super-truck, but it has some shortcomings that we’d like to see fixed for it to be truly worth its price tag. Some of the materials inside the cabin are from the GM parts bin and some of the hard plastic surfacing feels cheap and unfinished. Road and wind noise are an issue.
Some of the 2026 GMC Hummer EV’s crudeness can be overlooked when you’re taking advantage of its impressive towing capabilities or conquering off-road terrain. Size isn’t everything, but this electric pickup’s superlative nature gives it a charm that’s hard to deny.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
The 2026 GMC Hummer EV Pickup offers two available powertrain configurations. The standard two-motor layout develops a combined 570 hp. Models equipped with the Extreme Off-Road package receive GMC’s Watts to Freedom (WTF) launch control feature, bumping up output to 635 hp. Acceleration from 0–60 mph using WTF should take around 3.5 seconds.
Stepping up to the 2026 GMC Hummer EV 3X adds a third motor to the mix and brings output up to 830 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque with the 20-module pack. Equipping the 24-module pack uncorks 1,000 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque.
Using the most powerful configuration, we’ve managed a 0–60 mph sprint of just 3.0 seconds in the Hummer EV Launch Edition and 3.1 seconds in a Hummer EV 3X.
Optioning the new Carbon Fiber Edition package reprograms the Hummer EV Pickup’s software and recalibrates the propulsion system for 1,160 hp and a claimed 0–60 mph time of just 2.8 seconds. We look forward to validating the automaker’s claim in our testing.
EV Range and Charging
The farthest-driving version of the 2026 GMC Hummer EV should continue to be the 2X powertrain layout on the standard tire, which is rated at 318 miles of range for 2025. 3X models take only a slight penalty despite the increase of power with a 312-mile rating. MT tires lessen the Hummer EV Pickup’s range considerably. The 2X model falls to 282 miles and the 3X variant is penalized to 289 miles.
The 2026 Hummer EV Pickup’s standard 20-module battery pack has 180-kWh of usable capacity while the larger 24-module battery pack is good for a usable 205 kWh.
GMC’s electric truck has one of the fastest charging rates out of all EVs currently in production, with a 350-kW peak. Using 800-volt architecture, the Hummer EV can add 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. Based our EV testing data, charging from five to 80 percent takes 52 minutes.
Towing and Hauling
Although the Hummer EV’s tri-motor powertrain has a higher horsepower rating, the dual-motor setup is better for towing. With two motors, the 2026 Hummer EV 2X can tow 12,000 pounds. In 3X specification, that figure falls to 8,500 pounds.
The dual-motor Hummer EV’s payload is also better than the tri-motor. The 2X is good for a 1,485-pound maximum while the 3X caps out at 1,300 pounds.
Safety Features
GMC supplies the 2026 Hummer EV with a wealth of active driver assistance features. For the new model year, the award-winning Super Cruise highway driving system gets even better with automated lane change functionality and Hands on Lane Change Assist for roads that aren’t pre-mapped.
- Front and rear automatic emergency braking
- Front pedestrian braking and rear cross traffic alert
- Automatic parking assist
- A following distance indicator
- A 360-degree camera
- Blind-spot monitoring with trailering functionality
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The 2026 GMC Hummer EV is a roomy pickup truck. Front-row legroom is especially generous, although rivals offer more space for second-row passengers. The frunk’s cargo volume falls between that of the F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado EV.
Technology
Infotainment
GMC equips every 2026 Hummer EV Pickup with a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. All models now receive a higher-resolution 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This central display has apps for off-road information, energy consumption, and towing.
All GMC Hummer EV models have OnStar connectivity as standard, enabling features such as navigation with EV-specific route planning, Chrome web browsing, gaming, and Prime Video.
Sound System
All 2026 GMC Hummer EV models are standard with a Bose 14-speaker surround system. As an Easter egg, there’s a nod to the lunar landing and moonwalk on the speaker grate.
Mystery Mode: Solved
GMC has finally found a purpose for the Hummer EV’s “Mystery Mode” button. In earlier model years, hitting this button merely caused message to appear on the digital instrument cluster with text saying “Your Mode. Your Mission. EpicIdeas@GMC.com.”
That button now has a reason for being thanks to the Hummer EV’s latest update. All 2026 models come standard with a new King Crab mode, which uses rear steering for improved off-road maneuverability and sharper turns at lower speeds.
What’s more, all 2022–2025 Hummer EV models are eligible to download this feature via an OTA update.
Value
Standard Features
As the top-flight model in GMC’s lineup, the 2026 Hummer EV comes with a bounty of standard features. GMC equips the 2026 Hummer EV with 22-inch wheels, removable roof panels, full LED exterior lighting, 12-way power front seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in services, and a 360-degree camera .
Additionally, all models utilize adaptive air ride suspension, a power-opening frunk, Super Cruise highway driving assistance, and four-wheel steering.
Recommended Trim
The 2026 GMC Hummer EV Pickup continues to come equipped in 2X and 3X trims. For 2025, pricing between the two models was separated by about $8,000. 2X models post better towing and hauling figures, so we recommend sticking with the truck offering better utility.
Carbon Fiber Edition: The Quickest Hummer EV Yet
There’s a new ultimate version of the GMC Hummer EV for 2026. Equipping the 2026 Hummer EV with the Carbon Fiber Edition package slathers the behemoth pickup in Magnus Gray Matte paint.
This special-edition Hummer EV rides on 22-inch carbon-fiber black wheels with all-terrain tires and wears carbon-fiber hood inserts, mirror caps, and skidplates. The approach shield and badging are finished in black.
A performance upgrade is exclusive to the Hummer EV Pickup since the SUV isn’t offered with the truck’s available 24-module battery. GMC’s software reprogramming and propulsion system recalibration yields an incredible 1,160 hp output for a 2.8-second 0–60 mph time.
