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The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV is an engineering marvel that defies logic, achieving a staggering quarter-mile time of 11.98 seconds at 112 mph in our independent testing. This colossal electric vehicle combines outrageous styling with hypercar-like acceleration, making it one of the quickest production SUVs ever built.
The Hummer EV's incredible performance stems from its advanced tri-motor electric drivetrain. In the top 3X trim, this setup produces a claimed 830 horsepower and an immense amount of torque, channeled to all four wheels. The key to its explosive off-the-line capability is a specialized feature called "Watts to Freedom" or WTF mode.
Activating WTF mode is a specific process: come to a complete stop, press the stability control button twice, and follow the prompts on the digital gauge cluster. This specialized launch mode preconditions the massive Ultium battery pack (which we estimate to be over 200 kilowatt-hours in capacity) for a massive current draw, lowers the air suspension for optimal weight transfer, and maximizes power output. The vehicle emits a low rumbling sound, preparing for a launch that feels more like a spaceship engaging warp drive than a car accelerating.
To obtain accurate and repeatable results, we conducted our testing at a professional drag strip, Great Lakes Dragaway, under controlled conditions. We used a Racelogic VBox Touch data logger, a high-precision device that records acceleration times. Our testing methodology accounts for both 0-60 mph times without a rollout (the brief period before the timing starts at a drag strip) and quarter-mile times that include the rollout, which is the industry standard for comparing performance figures.
Our test vehicle was a 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV 3X with all-terrain tires, with an as-tested price of $107,610. To ensure fairness, we performed multiple runs to find the vehicle's best possible performance.
The numbers posted by the Hummer EV SUV are nothing short of phenomenal for a vehicle of its size and weight. Our best recorded runs yielded the following results:
It's important to note that the vehicle demonstrated remarkable consistency, with trap speeds hovering around 112 mph and quarter-mile times varying by only a few tenths of a second across multiple runs. We observed that the all-terrain tires, chosen for off-road capability, limited ultimate grip off the line, with some wheelspin evident even on a prepped surface. This suggests that with stickier street tires, the Hummer EV could potentially approach or even beat GMC's claimed 3.5-second 0-60 mph time.
Based on our assessment experience, the Hummer EV's talents extend beyond the drag strip. We also took the SUV on a temporary autocross course. In its normal driving mode, its size and weight are apparent. However, engaging WTF mode transforms its character. The combination of lowered suspension, sharpened throttle response, and the agility provided by its four-wheel steering system—which allows for a tight 35.4-foot turning circle—makes it surprisingly capable and immensely fun in a tight, technical environment. It's not a sports car, but its breadth of ability is staggering.
The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV is an undeniable statement piece that delivers on its outrageous promises. It is an irrational, expensive, and unforgettable vehicle that proves electric powertrains can deliver breathtaking performance in any package. For those seeking the ultimate combination of off-road presence, luxury-lite interior technology, and supercar-rivaling acceleration, the Hummer EV SUV is in a league of its own. Its consistent 11-second quarter-mile capability cements its status as a true performance anomaly.
