The GMC Hummer EV SUV 2X Is Cheaper and Slower, but It’s Still a Blast

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With the GMC Hummer EV designed around excess, can less ever be more? We wanted to answer the question during our 2026 SUV of the Year competition with the 2026 GMC Hummer EV 2X. This new dual-motor variant of the reborn electric Hummer attempts to offer all the tri-motor Hummer performance we appreciate in a slightly more affordable and efficient package. Indeed, it can in some ways, even if this new offering lets us down in many of the same ways as the 3X.

Like the tri-motor Hummer SUV, a finalist in last year’s competition, the dual-motor sports a massive 170-kWh battery pack, high-riding air suspension, four-wheel steering, and optional off-road hardware designed to ensure the 8,500-pound behemoth can get you out of the same trouble it gets you into. Key changes that earned the Hummer an invite for 2026 are found at its axles, where a new King Crab mode for the four-wheel steering promises to make it even more maneuverable off-road by speeding up the steering rate for the rear wheels and increasing the turning angle. Meanwhile, the dual-motor setup drops horsepower from 830 to 570, although the $9,995 Extreme Off-Road package on our test vehicle raises output to 635 hp.

There’s not much of a performance price to pay, even if 0–60-mph acceleration slows from 3.4 seconds to 4.5, which is still plenty quick. “It’s kinda stupid fast, not plain stupid fast like the three-motor or crazy stupid fast like the Launch Edition tri-motor,” features editor Scott Evans said. (He eventually distilled his “stupid fast” metric to, “This is all the power this truck needs.”)

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Efficiency, however, is a complicated picture. The Hummer is heavy enough that it doesn't get an official EPA mpg-e rating, but the range figures reveal how the Hummer spends its electrons. Standard 2X variants are advertised with 319 miles of range, a trivial 10-mile bump over the 3X. Opting for the Extreme Off-Road package, however, drops that number to 298 miles and the harsh aerodynamic reality of our 70-mph range test pushed that down to 253 miles using 95 percent of a full charge.

Off-road performance doesn’t suffer, though. Some judges took an extracurricular run into a muddy Mojave Desert to find the Glen Edwards Memorial. The narrow trails twist and turn around sage brush, rocks, and a distressing amount of trash. The Hummer’s tremendous grip, supple ride, and King Crab mode worked together to help ensure we had and caused no trouble, easily navigating through and around tight spots that would've left pinstripes and trail damage in less maneuverable vehicles of the Hummer’s size.

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This is kind of where the high points begin to taper off. Despite the $8,100 discount versus the 3X for the 2X, judges still felt the SUV’s materials quality isn’t good enough for $99,095, and our ringing ears would appreciate some more sound deadening. Multiple judges also noted issues with the Hummer’s Super Cruise system wandering the 2X out of its lane or missing other vehicles in its rather large blind spots.

Ultimately, less isn’t exactly more in the Hummer EV 2X, but by no means does it diminish this brute’s charm. Cars are supposed to be fun, and we love a good reminder of that.

This review was conducted as part of our 2026 SUV of the Year (SUVOTY) testing, where each vehicle is evaluated on our six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or significantly revised.