Will the GMC Hummer EV give the Tesla Cybertruck a run for its money?
by Ciprian Florea, onDiscontinued in 2010 after 18 years of the market, the Hummer nameplate returned in 2020. But this time around, it’s not a standalone brand, but a model sold under a GMC badge. The even bigger news is that it’s fully electric. Set to go into production in 2021, the truck version will go against the spectacular Tesla Cybertruck. But does it have what it takes to compete with Elon Musk’s oddly-shaped hauler? Is it powerful enough, does it have enough range, and is it actually a proper successor to the original Hummer design-wise? Let’s find out in the comparison below.
Design
Needless to say, the GMC Hummer EV reminds me of previous Hummer models, especially the H1 and H2.
It's almost as boxy as its predecessors, and it features a no-nonsense lower section that provides good approach angles for off-roading.
It looks modern, yet it carries plenty of DNA from the original Hummer H1. On the other hand, it looks rather dull when compared to the Tesla Cybertruck.
Elon Musk’s company took a completely different approach with its electric truck.
Instead of going with a traditional three-box design, Tesla penned the Cybertruck with a polygonal exterior.
But this is actually a necessity rather than an eccentric move. The Cybertruck features unibody construction and cold-rolled stainless steel body panels. These cannot be stamped like conventional automobile parts and can only be bent along straight lines. This resulted in a distinctive faceted design devoid of a traditional flat roof.
The front window is taller than usual, but it’s also heavily angled toward the back. Its top section is the truck’s highest point, as the roof descends over the B- and C-pillars and toward the tailgate. All doors and body panels are relatively simple in design, while the headlamps and taillights are just LED bars stretching across the upper sections of the fascias.
Which design is better? Well, it’s a matter of taste here. If you like traditional trucks, the GMC Hummer is the more appealing choice. If you want a more outlandish look, the Cybertruck will help you stand out no matter where you drive.
Power and Performance
Both the GMC Hummer EV and the Tesla Cybertruck are available with a variety of drivetrains. But while the Cybertruck will be sold with single-, dual-, and tri-motor layouts, the Hummer will feature two and three motors only.
The base Cybertruck will draw juice from a single electric motor rated at more than 400 horsepower and unknown torque.
That’s notably less than the entry-level Hummer. However, Tesla will also offer a dual-motor version with 690 horses and 824 pound-feet of twist. This model will compete with the entry-level Hummer EV2, fitted with a couple of motors rated at 625 horsepower. But GMC claims that this truck will deliver a massive 7,400 pound-feet of twist.
Tesla’s range-topping model, the Cybertruck Tri-motor AWD, will arrive with 800 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque. GMC’s Hummer EV3x offers identical output, but the three electric motors crank out a combined 9,500 pound-feet of twist. But GMC will offer an even more impressive truck. Called Edition 1, this limited edition version will kickstart sales with a massive 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of twist on tap.
The thing to keep in mind here is that GMC's torque ratings are actually for axle torque, which is significantly higher than the SAE-certified spec. This means that the 11,500-pound figure will be down to around 900 pound-feet, more in line with Tesla's SAE ratings.
| Tesla Cybertruck Single-motor RWD | Tesla Cybertruck Dual-motor AWD | Tesla Cybertruck Tri-motor AWD | GMC Hummer EV2 | GMC Hummer EV3x | GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower: | >400 HP | 690 HP | 800 HP | 625 HP | 800 HP | 1,000 HP |
| Torque: | TBA | 824 LB-FT | 1,000 LB-FT | 7,400 LB-FT | 9,500 LB-FT | 11,500 LB-FT |
The Hummer EV clearly wins the horsepower battle, but is it notably quicker than the Cybertruck? Well, that isn’t easy to answer because these trucks aren’t yet available. For instance, Tesla estimates that the single-motor version will hit 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the dual-motor variant will reach the benchmark in 4.5 clicks. The tri-motor model will be the quickest, with a 0-to-60 mph sprint of 2.9 seconds. There are no estimates for the Hummer EV except for a rumored three-second sprint to 60 mph, but the range-topping model should be quicker given the extra power and torque.
When it comes to top speed, Tesla estimates that the tri-motor model will hit 130 mph. GMC has yet to release a figure, but it will likely be similar.
Range
Just like all other Tesla models available, the Cybertruck will arrive with a range of at least 250 miles per charge. This rating is for the single-motor version, while the dual-motor promises to return more than 300 miles per charge. Finally, the range-topping tri-motor model will be able to run for at least 500 miles on a single charge.
Range performance for the GMC Hummer also starts off with 250+ miles for the EV2 trim. Then there's the EV2x model with more than 300 miles, a rating that's identical to the EV3x.
The Edition 1 will be capable of at least 350 miles per charge, but it ends there. This means that the Cybertruck will offer the best range if ordered in range-topping tri-motor trim.
Payload and Towing
All Tesla Cybertruck models feature a 3,500-pound payload capacity. Towing depends on the drivetrain and starts off with 7,500 pounds for the base model. The rating increases to 10,000 pounds for the dual-motor version and to 14,000 pounds for the range-topping, tri-motor model. GMC has yet to release capacity ratings for the Hummer EV, but it’s safe to say that it will be competitive, with the top model good for more than 10,000 pounds.
Pricing
This is where things are radically different. While Tesla promises an affordable Cybertruck that starts from $39,900, GMC opted to put the Hummer EV into premium territory with a $79,995 sticker.
The base Cybertruck is basically half the price of a base Hummer EV, while the dual-motor variant starts from $49,900. The range-topping tri-motor option will take the sticker up to $69,900, but that’s still some $10,000 more affordable than the entry-level Hummer. Priced from $79,995 in base trim, the Hummer EV will come in at $99,995 with the tri-motor layout. The Edition 1 model will cost a whopping $112,595 before options.
Both models will benefit from government subsidies, so all the stickers above will drop if you are eligible.
