Electric Vehicle

GMC Hummer SUV EV vs. Rivian R1S Comparison

By 07/30/2021 2:00pm

While much of the focus on the coming wave of electric trucks involves pickups, SUVs will also be part of the mix. These launches will trail the debut of their cargo-carrying siblings by as much as a year or two. Still, if you want the rugged off-road capability of these new electric trucks but in a more people-friendly package, look no further than the GMC Hummer SUV and Rivian R1S.

General Motors is dusting off the Hummer nameplate with the former and will sell it as part of the GMC lineup. Like the pickup version, the Hummer EV SUV reinterprets the original boxy H2 with a more contemporary flair. True to Hummer heritage, GMC  touts unique off-road capabilities, some of which come from the vehicle’s electric powertrain.

Also looking to blend off-road prowess with the utility of an SUV is Rivian. Its entry, the R1S fraternal twin to the R1T truck, boasts unique looks and a 4-motor drivetrain in a vehicle that will be sold factory direct and not through a traditional dealer network. Here’s how these two new electric SUVs stack up.

Design

2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV

The GMC Hummer EV SUV reprises the rugged, off-road look Hummer brought from the military to civilian use. The silhouette is still boxy, with its pillbox-like greenhouse, but more contours in the body panels give it a fresher look. In front is the traditional slotted grille flanked by LED lighting.

The Hummer SUV retains the removable roof panels seen on the pickup for open-air motoring. Overall, the Hummer EV SUV is a tidier package, riding on a 126.7-inch wheelbase just under 9 inches shorter than the pickup. That translates into a length 10 inches shorter at 196.8 inches overall. The smaller package gives it a 35.4-foot turn circle, about a foot-and-a-half tighter than the pickup.

The Rivian R1S has a traditional SUV profile with a long hood and upright greenhouse. While its proportions are what you’d expect from a full-size SUV, the detailing is fresh thanks to touches like the oval lighting elements. Integrated skid plates, tow hooks, and body cladding attest to the off-road ambitions of the R1S. And like the Hummer, the R1S is more compact than the pickup version. The R1S rides on a 121-inch wheelbase and measures 202 inches in overall length. The R1T boasts a 135.9-inch wheelbase and stretches to 217.1 inches overall.

Construction

The Hummer EV SUV employs conventional steel unit-body construction. Underbody armor protects the EV battery pack and other componentry off-road. This cladding and the stiff structure provided by the battery pack allow the use of a lightweight composite removable roof that features transparent “Sky Roof” panels. It also results in a lower center of gravity, which aids both on- and off-road handling.

The Rivian relies on high-strength steel for the chassis and a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber for body panels and other structural elements. This blend of materials results in a lighter weight to compensate for the mass of the battery pack. The Rivian uses a “skateboard” chassis that mounts the battery pack and the front and rear axle electric motors between the frame rails. This configuration allows for additional cabin room and storage space in the body that rides atop this structure. This setup also gives the R1S a lower center of gravity, which helps both on- and off-road.

Cabin Features

2022 GMC Hummer EV

The Hummer SUV EV features seating for five on two rows. Ahead of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.4-inch center infotainment touchscreen in the middle of the dash. GMC offers a new satellite-rendered trail mapping feature that provides off-road trail navigation. At the same time, this system monitors the vehicle’s energy consumption in real-time. Like the pickup version, the Hummer SUV EV comes with removable roof panels for open-air driving. Upper trims boast GM’s SuperCruise hands-free driving system and a surround-view camera.

The Rivian has a cabin that reflects its premium nature and avoids the starkness favored by Tesla. There are two prominent touchscreens on the dash, one containing instrumentation for the driver, the other displaying infotainment. The 3-row layout provides room for up to seven passengers (two in front, three on the 60/40-split middle bench, and two in the back row). All models come with a panoramic glass roof. There are two trim levels, the base Explore and upgrade Adventure. Rivian also will offer its Driver+ hands-free driving mode similar to GM’s SuperCruise that operates on select roadways.

Performance

The Hummer EV SUV debuts in early 2023 as a 2024 model, almost a year after the Hummer EV pickup. The rollout for the SUV will mimic the truck with a limited run of Edition 1 followed by EV3X models, the top regular production trim. Both versions will have a range greater than 300 miles and employ three motors making 830 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque.

The EV2X follows and boasts two electric motors, 300 miles of range with 625 horsepower and 7,400 lb-ft of torque. The base model EV2 won’t see production until 2024. It will have the same horsepower and torque ratings as the EV2X, but only a 250-mile range. Edition 1 and 3X models will feature Watts to Freedom, a launch system that promises 0-60 mph acceleration of about 3.5 seconds. It has 13 inches of ground clearance and can drive through 32 inches of water.

The first R1S models shipped by Rivian promise a range of 300+ miles thanks to a 135 kWh battery pack. A 400-mile-plus version with a 180 kWh battery pack will also join the lineup at some point. Later on, Rivian will add a 250+ mile range model, which probably will be a lower-priced base model.

All-wheel drive is standard, and the R1S delivers 800 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque. On the performance front, Rivian expects the R1S to accelerate to 60 mph in as little as 3 seconds. It also boasts 14 inches of ground clearance and should be able to ford through 3 feet of water.

Capability

GMC has yet to release towing and payload figures for the Hummer SUV EV. We expect that in top trim with the 11,500 lb-ft torque figure, the Hummer’s towing capability will be more than 10,000 pounds. Inside, there are 81.8 cubic feet of load space with the rear bench folded down. GMC says there is additional storage under the floor and in the side trim, along with a front trunk that accommodates the removable roof panels. The Hummer SUV EV will also offer the Power Station generator to Level 2 charge other EVs and power a range of 120-volt equipment and accessories.

Rivian says the R1S will be capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds. With its larger third-row seating area, the Rivian offers up to 108 cubic feet of load space when the rear seats are folded flat. Access to the cargo area is through a power rear liftgate. There’s also additional 11 cubic feet of space in the front truck and 5.0 cubic feet of room in a below-floor storage bin.

Pricing

GMC Hummer SUV EV

  • EV2 AWD 2-motor: $79,995 (Available 2024)
  • EV2X AWD 2-motor: $$89,995 (Available 2023)
  • EV3X AWD 3-motor: $99,995 (Available 2023)
  • Edition 1 AWD 3-motor: $105,595 (Sold out)
  • Not eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit

Rivian R1S

  • Launch Edition: $75,500 (Sold out)
  • Adventure Package: $75,500 (Available 2022)
  • Explore Package: $70,000 (Available 2022)
  • Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit

GMC Hummer EV Advantages

The GMC Hummer SUV EV has big shoes to fill, given the initial success of its gas-powered ancestor. But if any SUV will provide the off-road capability of an electric, this is the one. With its advanced technology that includes 4-wheel steer and features like its Crab Walk mode that get it in and out of tight spaces, it’s sure to pique the interest of hard-core off-roaders everywhere. Add in the functional items like the Power Generator and Trail Mapping tech, and the Hummer SUV EV will certainly be in its element in the backwoods.

It is a much more expensive vehicle, with the top models priced at the $100k mark. There is also some limited utility because of its 2-row 5-passenger cabin. Still, it makes a statement, and that’s something you could always count on from the Hummer brand.

Rivian R1S Advantages

With its unique 4-motor configuration that powers each wheel, Rivian should be equally at home off-road as the GMC Hummer SUV. While it’s a new brand with all-new technology, there is some comfort in the more traditional SUV approach to its design and greater utility in the 3-row setup for seven. The Rivian R1S could also be the affordable option in this segment with high-priced models like the Tesla Model X and Hummer SUV EV.

With its 4-motor all-wheel-drive configuration and 14 inches of ground clearance, the Rivian R1T promises to offer the kind of off-road capability that will certainly give GMC a run for its money. Speaking of money, in addition to Rivian’s lower price, the R1S also qualifies for the full $7,500 Federal Tax Credit.

The Bottom Line

The  GMC Hummer SUV EV will be a tech marvel when it bows and promises exceptional off-road chops to go along with its open-air capability. As a result, the Hummer is likely to find a following not dissimilar to those who made the original Hummer H2 an icon.

The Rivian R1S will also be targeting the same subset of electric truck buyers who are serious about taking their vehicles off-road. The specs are promising, and Rivian’s business model of using direct sales and regional centers and mobile home service could very well be the wave of the future.

Related: