Cars and Drivers
I Always Dreamed of Having a Hummer, but These 7 Huge Cars Are Way Better
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There was a time when the Hummer was one of the biggest names in the SUV world, mainly thanks to Hollywood celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, who famously drove one around Los Angeles. Today, the GMC Hummer EV is far from the original Hummer nameplate, but it is no less exciting.
The Hummer is one of the most iconic vehicles of all time.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is mainly responsible for making Hummer available to consumers.
There are far better vehicles you can choose from today other than the Hummer.
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Today’s GMC Hummer EV is a combination of an electric vehicle with plenty of range while offering off-road capability so you can go anywhere and do anything. Unfortunately, the old and new Hummer vehicles are more exciting on paper than in reality. Thankfully, there are plenty of great alternatives you can purchase right now.
The Hummer was first launched in 1992, courtesy of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who asked AM General to manufacture the “Humvee” for general consumers after seeing the military version. As soon as it launched, the Hummer was praised for its ability to go off-road in a way few other vehicles could even hope to achieve. There was little you couldn’t do with the Hummer.
The reality with the Hummer was that it was difficult to drive and park since it was so wide and had terrible fuel economy. Still, owning a Hummer was something many who could afford one opted to do simply because it felt like a sign of success. This is the story playing out right now with the Tesla Cybertruck, another vehicle that stands out wherever it goes for its looks and impractical design.
After being purchased by General Motors in 1999, the Hummer was a staple of the roadway until the 2008 economic downturn. By 2010, the Hummer was gone, a symbol of wealth that was no longer there. However, the rise of the electric vehicle has given the Hummer new life with the “GMC Hummer EV,” which offers as much as 315 miles of range with a starting price tag of $96,550.
The GMC Hummer EV, with its giant starting price, is hard to take seriously, considering the deep competition in the space. Still, there is a good reason why this might have been your dream SUV many years ago, and today, you get a bit of the old Hummer look with up-to-date technology. The challenge is that for price, it’s hard to argue against the idea that you don’t get far more value and technology with other large vehicles.
While it isn’t a luxury vehicle, you’d be hard-pressed to find many trails and off-road spots the Toyota Sequoia can’t handle, which the GMC Hummer EV could. You get a hybrid engine that gives you a little extra gas, and you also have room for eight people, TRD off-road equipment, a giant touchscreen, and a Wi-Fi hotspot for when you are out of range for a wireless signal.
An excellent combination of luxury and capability, the Land Rover Defender is hard to overlook for anyone who wants a vehicle that can do anything on or off the road. While you can push the price tag far above that of the GMC Hummer EV, you get locking differentials, a terrain response mode, a 360-degree camera system, different body style choices, and a host of excellent technology options.
If you’re looking for a vehicle that can help you feel good on the weekend after a rough week at work, the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is the model for you. Right away, you get the reliability and durability of the Toyota name and up to 11,175 pounds of towing. Outside of its off-road strengths, the giant 14-inch touchscreen makes the Tundra feel updated while also being a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.
If you’re looking for the right combination of power and capability, the Chevrolet Silverado EV is everything Chevy lovers enjoy about the Silverado, but better. Between getting 100 miles of range in 10 minutes, up to 12,500 pounds of towing, or making every bit of use of the 17.7-inch touchscreen, this vehicle is well-equipped and ready to do battle with any road elements you can help it find.
While the Ford F-150 Lightning might have Ford’s BlueCruise technology for hands-free driving or a 15-inch infotainment display, the best part of this vehicle isn’t even its performance on the road. The best reason to pick up the Ford F-150 Lightning is one you hope you never use, as it can power your home when parked for up to 3 days.
Labeling itself as anything but standard, it’s hard to ignore the Rivian R1T, a fantastic choice for anyone who wants a vehicle that looks as good on the road as it does off. Perhaps the best feature about the Rivian RT1 is that it comes with several drive modes, including snow, rain, all-terrain, soft sand, rally, and more, to help you drive without sacrificing too much range.
When it comes to a rival to the Hummer that offers similarly polarizing looks but equally strong performance in its own right, the Tesla Cybertruck is an easy comparison. Capable of hitting 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, the Cybertruck is a monster in its own right. With a giant infotainment screen, a ridiculous amount of storage, and a design you can’t ignore, former Hummer owners will feel right at home.
In reality, every car on this list that is not named “Hummer” offers plenty of advantages over the current GMC model. Whether it’s a lower starting price point, more range, faster charging time, or an overall more attractive design, the Hummer today is a good, but not great, option. However, for the price, you can find competitors better suited to everyday driving, often leaving you with leftover money to take a very long vacation.
Okay, if you really want a concrete answer as to which vehicle to buy, it’s complicated but not impossible. For anyone who wants a pickup truck that can tow just about everything, the Ford F-150 Lightning is the best option available today. However, suppose you want something as capable as the original Hummer with a dozen drive modes. In that case, the Rivian R1T is the best choice, with its incredible technology, safety, and more bells and whistles than you could ever want.
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