GM just released some preliminary specifications for the new Hummer, an all-electric vehicle which is set for production not long after the Wagoneer. While Jeep hasn’t released full Wagoneer specifications yet, they have shown us what the new Grand Cherokee L can do—perhaps it’s worth a quick comparison.
| Hummer (Terrain Mode) | Grand Cherokee L | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 135.6 | 121.7 |
| Vehicle length | 216.8 | 204.9 |
| Width w/ mirrors | 93.7 | 77.9 |
| Max ground clearance | 10.1 | 14.0 |
| Max approach angle | 41.5 | 30.1 |
| Max departure angle | 31.6 | 23.6 |
| Breakover angle | 22.3 | 22.6 |
| Water fording depth | 26 | |
| Turning circle – 2-wheel steering (ft.) | 44.3 | 38.3 |
| Turning circle – 4-wheel steering (ft.) | 37.1 | 38.3 |
| Suspension travel | 13 | |
| Notes | Terrain mode | Air suspension |
The Hummer is clearly no slouch; both GM and Ford have figured out how to make long-travel independent suspensions, giving the Hummer a healthy 13 inches of suspension travel. Owners can travel through two feet of water, as well, if they are very careful (Jeep has not yet released the corresponding figure for the Grand Cherokee).
Most readers will have immediately figured out that this is not an especially fair comparison, since the Grand Cherokee has a much lower starting price and is much smaller and lighter. Out on the trail, the Hummer may have a hard time finding enough space to operate, with its 94-inch width (folding in the mirrors helps, but of course you can do that in the Jeep, too). That may be why the breakover angle is not quite as good as that of the Grand Cherokee L with the air suspension in position 2—though the Hummer still has another mode in reserve.
Overall, if you can find a wide enough trail, the Hummer appears to be a pretty serious off-road vehicle—from the specs. GMC took it out to Moab and it apparently managed the landscape pretty well, but only time will tell—and Jeep still hasn’t shown us the Wagoneer. All told, though, many Jeep fans are hoping for a traditional Mopar leapfrog in 2024.
