10 Unique Features That Elevate the Hummer EV

The average vehicle might have two or three features that set it apart from the competition, but the GMC Hummer EV is no average vehicle. Originally designed as a civilian version of the US military’s M998 Humvee, the Hummer has long been a bit of a maverick. This SUV’s military-grade design allows it to perform some off-road feats that few models can match, but the Hummer has also evolved over the years by steadily integrating the latest and greatest in automotive tech. 

The most recent and notable advancement would be the Hummer’s all-electric powertrain, which allows it to deliver about 315 miles of range while still pumping out the kind of power that it has long been known for. Those seeking a GMC Hummer EV for sale have two intriguing options to choose from: a pickup truck and a more agile SUV. Both are remarkable examples of modern engineering, and both include more than a few unique features that deserve a much closer look. 

We’ve managed to narrow down the list to ten standout features, though there are plenty more surprises in store when you visit LaFontaine Chevrolet Buick GMC of St. Clair. Let’s review some highlights and see how the Hummer EV is upping the bar in terms of cutting-edge design. 

Extract Mode

When your off-road mission goes off the rails and you need a quick extraction, the Hummer EV is here to help. While many of today’s trucks and SUVs feature custom drive modes, the Hummer EV goes above and beyond with a few unique features that the competition sorely lacks. 

The first is Extract Mode, which can come in clutch when it’s time to free the Hummer from a sticky situation. By raising the vehicle’s ride height by as much as six inches using the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension system, Extract Mode allows the EV to easily clear rocks, logs, mud, and other common off-road obstacles. 

Available whenever the Hummer is traveling at 12 mph or slower, this feature can also come in handy when cresting a particularly sharp peak, improving the Hummer’s breakover angle to prevent it from bottoming out. Extract Mode presents a practical use for the Air Ride system, but it’s just one of the drive modes that makes the Hummer such an off-road all-star.  

4-Wheel Steer & CrabWalk

No one knows how to deal with the unique demands of the outdoor world quite as well as Mother Nature herself. The humble crab has developed a unique gait that allows it to skitter over loose surfaces, and the Hummer EV has clearly taken inspiration from the crustacean with its CrabWalk Mode. 

When traveling at low speeds, CrabWalk Mode gives the Hummer EV’s front and rear wheels the ability to turn in the same direction. This feature is sure to prove useful when trying to avoid an immovable off-road obstruction, allowing the Hummer to drastically improve its maneuverability by traveling diagonally. 

The same technology that powers the Hummer EV’s CrabWalk feature also paves the way for another novel feature that GMC has dubbed 4-Wheel Steer. This feature sees the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions to minimize the full-size model’s turning radius, but it can also allow all four wheels to provide improved stability at higher speeds.   

UltraVision

GMC had a clear vision when designing the Hummer EV: leverage the latest technology to provide a comfortable, luxurious on-road experience while also prioritizing off-road performance. The Hummer EV’s UltraVision goes a long way toward accomplishing the second goal, bestowing it with a complex array of up to 18 cameras that grant drivers the ability to keep tabs on their surroundings at all times. 

Offered as part of the Hummer EV’s Extreme Off-Road Package, the UltraVision camera includes two self-washing underbody cameras that can be used to monitor tire placement and wheelspin in real time. While it’s no substitute for a dedicated spotter in more extreme scenarios, the UltraVision camera ups the convenience factor while instilling owners with a little more confidence every time they hit the trail. The system can also prove useful in on-road environs, allowing drivers to slip into even the tightest parking spot with ease. 

Infinity Roof

The ability to enjoy a long day of off-roading while experiencing that wind-in-your-hair feeling has long been one of this enthusiast hobby’s most coveted treats, and the Hummer EV doesn’t disappoint with a patented Infinity Roof. Want to enjoy a little sunshine or improve visibility? Simply remove the EV’s four Sky Panels, and you’ll be able to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. 

The Sky Panels are light and can be easily removed by one person, which dramatically ups the Hummer EV’s appeal for those who tend to ride solo. The panels can be configured in whatever way you see fit (two on, two off, three on, one off, etc.) and are easy to store in the Hummer EV’s generous frunk. An integrated I-bar helps to provide a little structure, but it can also be removed if you’re in the mood for a wholly open-air experience.        

Off-Road App

There’s no such thing as too much data when you’re putting a Hummer EV through its off-road paces. This model’s Off-Road app gives drivers all the information they need to make good choices out on the trail, delivering pertinent details like pitch and roll angles, steering angle, g-forces, motor torque output, current elevation, and suspension stats right on the infotainment display or digital gauge cluster. 

The system also scratches that itch for continual improvement by automatically recording your highest values in each category, which should make for some good post-ride fodder when you’re competing for bragging rights. With enough experience, drivers will learn how to spot a tricky situation before it rises to the level of an off-road emergency, but the Off-Road app helps to flatten the learning curve and make venturing off the road less traveled a little less intimidating for those who are new to the world of recovery straps and winches.  

Watts to Freedom

The Hummer EV’s all-electric powertrains are a paragon of efficiency, but they also open the door to some unique feats of strength. EVs have become known for their launch control system, which provides a temporary power boost that’ll have you firmly planted in the back of your seat; the Hummer EV is no exception, with its Watts to Freedom mode enabling this beastly vehicle to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds.

In addition to upping the output, Watts to Freedom also activates the Hummer EV’s cooling system and uses the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension to lower the ride height in the name of aerodynamics. GMC clearly had a little fun when designing the feature, which also includes a custom audio cue and haptic feedback in the driver’s seat. That said, Watts to Freedom is not intended to be used when you’re running late on your daily commute; the automaker recommends reserving the feature for closed courses, as the pure speed that it offers can land you in some hot water when traversing public roads.  

An Unreal Infotainment Display 

It’s not this display’s size that makes it worthy of a mention (though it’s certainly a selling point at 13.4 inches); rather, it’s the software that powers it. GMC tapped the video game wizards at Epic Games to outfit the Hummer EV’s infotainment display with its Unreal Engine software. Responsible for powering some of today’s hottest titles (like Fortnite and Gears of War), the Unreal Engine allows this infotainment display to deliver crisp graphics and even a few cinematic moments. 

When you go to adjust the Hummer EV’s drive modes, you’ll be greeted with a high-resolution cutscene that helps to gamify the daily driving experience. Sure, the display also includes all the media and connectivity features drivers have come to expect from a modern vehicle, but it’s these unusual little touches that really help to broaden the Hummer EV’s appeal.    

Extreme Off-Road Package

The Hummer EV is already geared toward off-road success, but if you really want to level up your game, the Extreme Off-Road Package is a must-have. This package adds a full suite of advanced off-road tech and heavy-duty components, including 18-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a front electronic-locking differential that improves traction in even the slipperiest scenarios, and a wealth of protective elements that’ll keep your Hummer EV looking its best no matter how gnarly the road might get. 

Five skid plates shield vital underbody components from damage, while rock sliders with built-in steps protect the sides of the vehicle and improve access to the cabin. Recovery hooks will come in the clutch when you start to get a little bogged down, and this package also includes the innovative UltraVision underbody cameras.  

Power Station

The Hummer EV isn’t just one of the industry’s most enticing off-road models; it can also double as a fully functional generator. Its electric motors and battery packs provide endless hours of driving enjoyment, but they’ll also come in handy in the case of an unexpected power outage, camping trip, or when you just need to give a member of your off-roading troop a little extra juice mid-ride. 

The Power Station is a bidirectional charger that can pump out power by converting the battery pack’s DC energy back into AC. Whether you’re braving an outage caused by a winter storm or just trying to help out a passing stranger, the Power Station drastically ups the Hummer EV’s utility. This feature does require drivers to invest in a little extra equipment, but it’s well worth the price if you want to keep the power flowing when you need it most. 

And All the Rest

While they don’t rise to the level of some of the more practical features like CrabWalk, the Infinity Roof, Watts to Freedom, or the Off-Road app, GMC has graced the Hummer EV with a few fun easter eggs that help to make it one of the quirkiest models on the market. From smartphones and laptops to today’s EVs, charging-related anxiety is one of the downsides of our modern world, but you’ll always know when the Hummer EV is plugged in thanks to battery status bars built right into the headlights. 

When parked and connected to a power source, the headlights give a clear indication of the battery level with flashing bars that indicate the current status. The headlights and taillights are also built with an interesting “H” design that reflects the Hummer’s historically important name. Meanwhile, the door-mounted speakers are designed with an interesting lunar motif inspired by the Sea of Tranquility; this might seem a bit random, but rumor has it that it’s supposed to be an allusion to GMC’s own “moon shot” that saw the Hummer EV move from concept to full production model in an accelerated two-year development cycle.    

Discover Even More With Us      

While we’ve focused on some of the Hummer EV’s standout features, there’s a whole lot more to discover when you stop by LaFontaine Chevrolet Buick GMC of St. Clair. This beast’s performance is an obvious highlight, producing up to 1,000 hp and 12,000 lbs of towing capacity when choosing the pickup’s triple-motor 3X trim. That type of power can be tough on a battery, but GMC has outfitted the Hummer with massive packs that are some of the largest on today’s market. These batteries are also equipped with a DC Fast Charging capability that sees the Hummer EV add up to 100 miles of range in under 15 minutes. 

The Hummer EV’s powertrains are just part of its tech-forward packaging, which also includes GM’s coveted Super Cruise hands-free driving tool. This allows drivers to enjoy hands-free driving on over 750,000 miles of roads across the US and Canada, and it can even be used to perform more complex functions like automatic lane changes. If you want to experience Super Cruise for yourself, learn how easy it is to remove the Infinity Roof, or see how useful CrabWalk and 4-Wheel Steer are, come by LaFontaine Chevrolet Buick GMC of St. Clair today!

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