Introducing several changes to the notorious SUV and truck nameplate for the new model year, the 2025Â GMC Hummer EV rolls out updates to the available packages and officially drops the 2 trim level that never achieved production in any case.
The burly looking electric vehicle also offers a range of drive modes, which we’re putting the spotlight on here, and which are the same for both the 2025 Hummer EV Pickup and the 2025 Hummer EV SUV.
The 2025 GMC Hummer includes Driver Mode Control or DMC enabling the vehicle’s owner to switch between modes and change driving characteristics depending on circumstances. Most of these modes are accessed by turning the mode knob located rearward of the shift lever on the center console, though Watts To Freedom is activated and deactivated using the “Traction Control Off” button instead.
Out of all the modes, Normal Mode and My Mode are the only two to persist through on/off cycles. Shutting the 2025 Hummer EV down and restarting it will cause most modes to revert to the default Normal Mode. Only the customizable My Mode will not switch back to Normal Mode on future restarts.
Normal Mode
This is the default mode and has no display screen indicator showing that it’s active. It offers good though not outstanding handling along with a smooth, comfortable ride.
Off-Road Mode
If you decide to literally hit the trail and leave the pavement behind for cross-country adventure, Off-Road Mode tunes the Hummer’s accelerator response, steering, suspension, and a whole range of traction and braking control tech for optimal off-road use at moderate speeds. It can be used on snow-covered roads, too, though only at medium speed. This mode is identified on the display by the icon of a two-peak mountain with a squiggly trail heading toward it.
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul Mode is useful when the 2025 GMC Hummer EV is being used to pull a heavy trailer or similar item. The mode enhances stability and safety by modifying steering, suspension, active rear steer, traction control and pedal response. It will reactivate on restart provided the Hummer hasn’t been shut down for more than 4 hours, but will otherwise revert to Normal Mode. It is indicated by an icon of a wheeled trailer.
Terrain Mode
Terrain Mode is intended for low-speed driving on rough roads, heavily rutted trails, and other challenging surfaces. It can also be used for precise, high-torque tasks. Torque is emphasized at the expense of speed, with 50 mph as the hard upper limit for speed in this mode. ABS, TCS, suspension and accelerator pedal response are all changed to provide the most torque possible. Terrain Mode also halts the vehicle in place on an upward grade when the accelerator isn’t being pressed. The icon is a silhouetted Hummer traversing boulders.
My Mode
The 2025 GMC Hummer offers My Mode as well, a customizable mode that enables the owner to program their own personal combination of driving traits. The adjustable traits include Acceleration Feel, Steering, Suspension and Motor Sound. My Mode is indicated on the dash by an icon representing the silhouette of a human head and shoulders. The following table shows all the available settings:
| Acceleration Feel | Steering | Suspension | Motor Sound | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxed | X | - | - | X |
| Normal | X | X | X | X |
| Adrenaline | X | - | - | X |
| Tow/Haul | - | X | - | - |
| Off Road | - | - | X | - |
| Terrain | - | X | X | - |
| Off | - | - | - | - |
Watts To Freedom (WTF)
The humorously named WTF Mode, or Watts To Freedom, can be activated by pushing the Traction Control Off button on the dash twice in quick succession. The GMC Hummer EV must be at a complete standstill for this mode to be available and activated. The pickup or SUV is lowered once the mode is activated.
The Hummer then optimizes its battery, a process that can take various amounts of time based on the environmental temperature (longer for colder outdoor temps). At this point, the screen shows a “Floor It” message indicating both the accelerator and brake pedals should be depressed to the maximum. When WTF Mode is ready a “Release Brake to Launch” message appears, enabling a super-fast acceleration with higher than normal torque. This “acceleration event” can be repeated until the driver exits WTF Mode.
CrabWalk Mode
CrabWalk Mode is part of the four-wheel steering feature that steers with all four wheels rather than just two, increasing maneuverability and cutting down turning diameter. The mode is indicated by a stylized crab icon on the display. CrabWalk Mode causes the front wheels and rear wheels to turn in the same direction when steering, enabling extremely tight turns, “sidling” into parking spaces, and so on. It can only be entered with the steering wheel motionless, speed at 1.2 miles per hour or less, and Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assist (if equipped on the particular Hummer) inactive.
King Crab Mode (Future Update)
Back in 2023, we noted the presence of a mysterious icon on the GMC Hummer mode knob. This is likely King Crab Mode, set to be revealed on May 15th, 2025. Details are unknown, but it is almost certain to be an off-road performance mode. While it is being revealed for the 2026 GMC Hummer EV, we expect it to be made available to previous model years via an OTA (over the air) update. The video below seems to tease at least one function of the mode:
As a reminder, the 2025 GMC Hummer EV 2X trim is motivated by a pair of GM drive motors, while the 3X trim utilizes a trio. Standard on both configurations is a 20-module GM battery pack. An optional 24-module battery making the vehicle capable of cranking out 1,000 horsepower is offered on the pickup’s 3X trim level.
The 2025 GMC Hummer EV rides on the GM BT1 platform under the body panels, with production taking place at the GM Factory Zero plant in Michigan.
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