First Drive: 2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV

The Hummer nameplate is back, but not as you remember it. Gone is the gas-guzzling brute of the early 2000s. The 2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV is a bold, electric reimagining that blends military-inspired design with supertruck tech. Now available in the UAE in limited numbers, it’s marketed as the go-anywhere, do-anything EV for those who want to stand out—on-road and off.

GMC Hummer EV Power & Performance

The Hummer EV SUV uses GM’s Ultium platform, with a 3-motor AWD setup that produces up to 830 horsepower and an estimated 15,600 Nm of torque at the wheels (not a typo—thanks to gear multiplication). It’ll do 0-100 kph in around 3.5 seconds using the hilariously named Watts to Freedom (WTF) mode. The speakers also add to the WTF mode drama by playing a dramatic humming sound which gets louder as you accelerate.

A massive 170 kWh battery offers an official range of up to 480 km on a full charge, depending on wheel size and driving conditions. It supports 300 kW DC fast charging, though such high-capacity chargers are still rare in the region. In peak summer, we managed about 416 km in our test drive.

On-Road Driving

Despite its size and weight—well over 4 tonnes—the Hummer EV SUV feels surprisingly composed. It rides on an adaptive air suspension setup that can adjust ground clearance by over 100 mm. The four-wheel steering system, complete with the CrabWalk function, makes U-turns and tight parking surprisingly manageable. Not to forget it is one heck of a party trick to show-off!

The ride is firm but not uncomfortable, and noise isolation is excellent. The regenerative braking is adjustable, and one-pedal driving is smooth. But make no mistake, as much as four-wheel steering helps, this is a wide, tall vehicle, and you’ll be constantly aware of that on tight city streets.

Off-Road Capability

With its shorter wheelbase compared to the Hummer EV pickup, the SUV version actually improves on breakover angles, making it a better option for serious off-roading. Standard features include:

• Adaptive Air Suspension with Extract Mode
• 4-wheel steering with CrabWalk
• Underbody armor and cameras
• Terrain drive modes
• Full-time AWD with torque vectoring

It’s built to tackle rocky wadis and desert dunes, but physics still applies. At over 4,000 kg, momentum becomes a liability in soft sand or narrow trails for the less-experienced off-roader. That said, there are very few EVs that offer this level of off-road credibility.

Interior & Features

The cabin retains the rugged luxury vibe—equal parts sci-fi and Hummer nostalgia. The dash is dominated by a 13.4-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital cluster, both running Google-based software with over-the-air updates.

Features include:

• Infinity roof with removable glass panels
• Bose 14-speaker audio
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Dual-zone climate control
• Numerous HD off-road cameras including underbody views

Material quality is decent, leaning more premium than utilitarian. Space is generous, with a flat floor and fold-flat second-row seats. A third-row is not available, but cargo space is ample with up to 2,300+ litres behind the front seats when fully folded.

Practicality

The SUV’s boxy shape helps with cabin room, but it’s still wide and long. Don’t expect it to be easy to park in tight mall spaces. The tailgate-mounted spare wheel adds character, but also bulk.

Charging infrastructure remains the biggest concern—especially for long-distance desert trips. But for urban owners with home charging setups, it’s manageable.

GMC Hummer EV Verdict

The 2025 GMC Hummer EV SUV is as much about making a statement as it is about capability. It’s loud in design, silent in operation, and built like a tank. It’s not efficient, it’s not cheap, and it’s not for everyone. But if you want an electric SUV that’s brash, futuristic, and actually capable off-road—this is it.

For now, it’s a niche vehicle for those who want the future, with a pinch of drama and whole lot of fun.