The EV truck seems to be the key to cracking the EV treasure chest. Automakers are scrambling to dominate this new frontier. The Rivian R1T, Tesla Cyber Truck, and more recently, the GMC Hummer EV are all proof of the cash cow this segment could be. Each of these vehicles created such a massive buzz and, more importantly, piles of pre-orders. The 2022 GMC Hummer EV, in particular, has garnered a lot of attention from how many things it claims it will do. Now with an extensive accessory list, we are forced to ask, “Is the Hummer trying to step to the Jeep Wrangler?”

Will the 2022 GMC Hummer EV be a capable truck?

As long as GMC delivers on its many, many promises with the new Hummer, it is sure as hell seems like it will be a monster of capability, power, and purpose. As Motor1 puts it, “Few vehicles wear automotive bling like the OG Hummer.” And, I couldn’t agree more.

The Hummer has always been about excess. The H1 was excessively wide, tough, and action movie-y. The following Hummers weren’t quite as tough, but they still overflowed with excess. The new Hummer EV seems to be no exception. GM just announced along with its many over-the-top launch features; it will also have nearly 200 accessories available. 

Is the Hummer trying to step into Jeep Wrangler territory?

It sure feels that way. The Jeep community has always been about customizing Jeeps in an endless attempt to make a more practical or more unique truck. Jeep recently announced that it was planning to cut itself into the aftermarket accessories game by building a new in-house custom shop. The plan is to offer custom Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators in a wide variety of off-road builds that customers can order straight from the source. Sound familiar?

With that in mind, the Hummer EV feels to be gunning for the same in-house builds for its customers. What is interesting about the Hummer EV is that it appears to be an amalgamation of the current automotive zeitgeist. Think about it; it’s huge, it’s an SUV and a pickup truck, it’s an EV, it has a bazillion hp, it’s an off-road monster, and now it is highly customizable. The thing is, I’m sure I’m forgetting stuff, too. 

What can you give someone who has it all? 

GM reckons, 200 pieces of optional bling. While GM told us the number of Hummer add-ons, it has been pretty hush-hush about what exactly those add-ons may be. Now, before we rush to conclusions about the wild configurations that may be possible with all these accessories, Keep in mind that the GMC marketing department has been a bit flashy regarding the Hummer. 

The bizarre crab-walk feature was one of the earlier details we learned about the Hummer. Not to mention the technically true, although not exactly standard measurement of 11,500 lb-ft of torque, the Hummer claims. This, of course, was to the wheels, not the shaft, as is typical. I only say these things to say, 200 pieces of accessories might not be as endless as it seems based on previous marketing language and tactics. 

The Hummer might prove to be too much

The buzz of the Hummer EV is strong. It sold out its first run in a flash. I can see why, but I wonder if the buzz can last. The cheapest version is going to $80,000, but that one won’t come out until 2024. How many people are willing to spend $110,000 (the first verison price) on what seems to be more of a party trick than a useable vehicle? 

It’s hard to say how it will do. It feels more like a proof of concept than an actual heavy mover. I guess that has always been the Hummer, though.