It’s unlikely that anyone is purchasing the 1,000-horsepower GMC Hummer EV for the purpose of towing construction equipment, at least not to my knowledge. Nonetheless, towing remains a vital function for any pickup truck. This emphasizes the intrigue surrounding the Hummer’s Ultium battery-powered model, which boasts a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, especially when compared to other vehicles in its emerging category as well as traditional pickups.
Last week, GMC’s Global Vice President Duncan Aldred revealed this figure along with the truck’s impressive driving range of 329 miles. In the realm of electric pickups, however, this rating falls short of the Rivian R1T, which can handle 11,000 pounds, and it also trails behind the Ford F-150 Lightning, rated at 10,000 pounds according to Ford. While these electric vehicles may not surpass their gasoline-powered half-ton counterparts in towing capacity, they are still quite capable of towing reasonably-sized tandem-axle travel trailers—the Hummer just approaches its limit more quickly than the others.
When examining the performance truck segment, the Hummer still lags behind competitors like the Ford F-150 Raptor and the Ram TRX, which are its most fitting rivals despite being powered by fossil fuels. The Raptor, equipped with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, can tow up to 8,200 pounds, while the Ram TRX follows closely with an 8,100-pound capacity.
The Hummer EV’s maximum payload capacity stands at 1,300 pounds, which is about the same as that of the Ram TRX, but slightly less than the Raptor’s 1,400-pound figure. Since the Hummer has a reported curb weight of 9,046 pounds, its structure must support a considerable load, even without any cargo.
In terms of towing capacity, the Hummer EV aligns more closely with midsize trucks. It exceeds the Nissan Frontier and matches the Ford Ranger, yet it falls short of the Jeep Gladiator and the Chevy Colorado. The Jeep Gladiator, in its most capable configuration, can tow 7,650 pounds, offering an advantage of 150 pounds over the Hummer. Meanwhile, the Colorado has a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which, while only marginally higher, is officially recognized.
One towing technology that sets the Hummer apart from its competitors is its hands-free Super Cruise feature designed for trailers. A GM representative previously confirmed to The Drive that this makes the Hummer one of only three models offering this technology, alongside the 2022 Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra. This feature also helps power your camper trailer on the road, allowing you to pre-cool your air conditioner before arriving at your campsite.
Ultimately, it’s clear that the Hummer focuses more on speed and aesthetics rather than maximum towing capacity. And that’s perfectly fine—just ensure you understand your priorities when making your purchase decision.
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