The electric pickup market is preparing to make some noise with some of the new entries entering the marketplace. Two of these entries are from General Motors with the GMC Hummer Edition 1 and the Chevrolet Silverado RST aiming for a significant slice of truck sales. But which one is the right fit if you're a GM buyer looking to make a big statement in your garage?
GMC Hummer Puts All Of Its Chips In Technology
The GMC Hummer Edition 1 can be considered the current poster child of the broader Ultium revolution. While its 9,000 plus lb curb weight may seem like a glaring contradiction to its green-focused mission, this behemoth aims to make up for it by giving buyers immense levels of technology and efficiency.
However, it's important to note the Hummer's tough suit of clothes with GMC designers being inspired by past Hummer models and the future that will help bring GM into the green vehicle market. The exterior styling makes maximum use of its size and, for now, will only be available in white, with the Edition 1 model being the lone representative of the breed until more models arrive in the next few years. That model has a black contrast roof, meaty off-road tires, and LED lighting front and rear.
The interior of Edition 1 models is trimmed in high-quality materials with splashes of gold trim contrasting the black and white hues that otherwise dominate the cabin. Removable roof panels allow occupants to have an enviable view of the sky, while a massive 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch gauge cluster provide the proverbial technological exclamation point.
Last but not least, the Edition 1 packs the performance to match its bold personality and its over $112k price tag. As we mentioned with the exterior colors, more performance configurations are coming. Still, for now, the only setup available is a triple electric motor setup that produces over 1,000 hp and allows the Hummer to make the sprint to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds while also achieving 350 miles of range. Keep in mind all of this is in a vehicle that weighs over 9,000 lbs. As a bonus, the Hummer even comes with a novel Crab Walk mode to help it with trickier off-road driving situations via the four-wheel steering system.
Silverado RST Shoots For The Mainstream Consumer
With the Hummer going all out trying to wow audiences with its shock factor, the Silverado RST First Edition prefers to take a slightly (and we use that phrase lightly) tamer approach towards appealing to its slice of the EV pickup market while still retaining some of the core attributes that made the Hummer great. The exterior styling here is a radical departure from its ICE-powered cousins, but the front and rear fascias go for a sleeker look that's more fluid and lacks some of the Hummer's hard edges.
The side profile is reminiscent of a Chevrolet Avalanche, but GM reps made it clear that this model will march to its own drum and not be a reboot of the axed Avalanche. The RST is getting all of the attention from the global press, but it will be the second Silverado model to launch in 2023, with the first wave of production being focused on the fleet-focused WT model.
However, after the wait is over and you have a chance to slip inside, you'll see an interior that focuses more on sport versus raw features. The interior design is a tasteful update of past Chevrolet efforts, with the black motif being contrasted by splashes of red trim and metal accents.
The Silverado's 17-inch infotainment screen is bigger than the Hummer's, but the 11-inch instrument display is slightly smaller than the GMC's, and the roof panels don't come off. That's ok, though, since occupants will be focused on the lack of a formal stop/start button (that's been replaced with a phone app sourced function) and the return of the mid-gate system. A feature once exclusive to the Avalanche, the mid-gate allows the Silverado EV to have an impressive degree of functionality with owners not only having the ability to fold both of the panels down to extend the bed but to also leave one up in the event that they need a rear seat to haul a passenger alongside longer pieces of cargo.
The performance here is not as spicy as that seen in the Hummer. However, The Silverado RST First Edition still makes 664 hp and 780 lb-ft of torque from its 24 module Ultium battery pack and triple electric motor setup. This setup is enough to make the dash to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. That's slower than the Hummer, but the lighter weight does help the Chevy get 50 more miles of range with RST First Edition models capable of achieving 400 miles of range. This performance hardware also allows the Chevrolet to tow up to 10,000 lbs but only if it's equipped with an optional package that will be available after the original launch cycle is completed.
Which One Is A Better Buy?
While we'll have to wait a bit to drive both of them to see how they are in everyday commuting, this preliminary look at the duo does reveal some interesting things to consumers. The Hummer wins when it comes to achieving maximum bragging rights with its brash looks and futuristic brawn.
However, the Silverado has enough everyday swagger to appeal to a broader range of customers especially as the lineup fleshes out with more trims and performance configurations for them to choose from. In the grand scheme of things, consumer preference will ultimately be the deciding factor, but if we had our say, we would go for a Silverado EV but in any trim.
Photo Credit: General Motors
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. In addition to his specialization with Ford, he grew up in a General Motors household and is extensively familiar with their products too. Contact Carl on Twitter at @CarlMalek3, on Instagram and Facebook for automotive news to send news tips.