Automotive
It’s not often that you hear a vehicle tipping the scales at over 9,000 pounds being compared to a Porsche 911 GT3 in terms of straight-line performance. Yet, here we are in 2025, and one of General Motors’ quickest vehicles isn’t a sleek Corvette or a lightweight sports car—it’s the hulking, all-electric 2026 GMC Hummer EV 3X Pickup. Yes, the same supertruck that looks like it could roll over a mountain now dashes to 60 mph in a claimed 2.8 seconds. That stat alone is enough to make muscle car purists pause.
Let’s unpack how such a beast pulls off this seemingly physics-defying feat. For 2026, GMC gave the Hummer EV a serious jolt—adding 160 horsepower to the 3X Pickup trim, bringing the total to a staggering 1,160 horsepower. This power bump is achieved via an available 24-module Ultium battery pack, combined with what GMC describes as “optimization of software and propulsion calibration.” While the exact tuning magic isn’t fully revealed, it’s clear that a mix of raw battery output and software intelligence is doing the heavy lifting—literally.
This isn’t just a theoretical number on paper. A 0–60 time of 2.8 seconds puts the Hummer EV in rare air, with acceleration figures that line up with supercars like the Z06 Corvette and even flirt with territory dominated by all-wheel-drive EVs like the Tesla Model S Plaid. The fact that this comes from a vehicle that can also crawl rocks, ford streams, and steer diagonally with its CrabWalk tech speaks volumes about how far EV engineering has come.
The updates for 2026 don’t stop at power. GMC is also rolling out a new Carbon Fiber Edition trim for both the Pickup and SUV variants. This limited-run package includes stealthy black wheels with all-terrain tires, carbon fiber details on the mirrors and skid plate, blacked-out badges, and for the SUV, a matching black spare tire. Available exclusively in Magnus Gray Matte, this trim turns the Hummer EV into an even more menacing road (or trail) presence.
One of the more innovative improvements is the new King Crab mode, an evolution of the original CrabWalk feature. It sharpens rear-wheel steering response dramatically, boosting low-speed maneuverability in tight off-road spots. Even better, GMC is making this functionality available to 2022–2025 Hummer EV owners via an over-the-air update—a smart move that extends the lifecycle of the truck’s tech.
There are practical enhancements too. The updated suspension tuning aims to improve on-road ride comfort, addressing one of the few critiques from earlier models. Bidirectional charging capability is also now baked in, letting the Hummer EV power other EVs or even serve as a backup home generator, assuming you’ve got the necessary hardware.
Inside, the tech-focused layout carries over with the 13.4-inch center touchscreen and Google Built-In for seamless navigation and voice assistant functions. According to GMC Hummer EV Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser, the brand’s vision from day one was to keep the vehicle’s capabilities evolving via software. “All 2026 Hummer EV owners will have access to our latest software going forward,” he noted, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to future-proofing.
Final pricing for the 2026 Hummer EV lineup will be announced closer to its dealership debut later this year. But one thing’s clear—the Hummer EV is no gimmick. It’s an unapologetically bold blend of brute strength and brainy engineering, and somehow, one of GM’s fastest vehicles is also one of its heaviest. Welcome to the new age of performance, where EVs continue to flip the script.
FOLLOW US TODAY: