There’s no doubt about the increasing craze for new-generation all-electric pickups in the US. The new all-electric carmakers like Rivian and Tesla created the hype with the R1T and Cybertruck. And this hype only got hotter with the arrival of offerings like the F150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and GMC Hummer EV pickup from legacy carmakers like Ford and General Motors. Naturally, these new-generation electric pickups are spawning new electric SUVs for families, with the Rivian R1S and GMC Hummer EV SUV.

Comparing Rivian R1S and GMC Hummer EV SUV is pretty natural, as both have arrived in the market as cool-looking, tech-rich SUVs primarily aimed at families who want to adopt the future of electric mobility. While the R1S is a product with its legacy built up from scratch, the GMC Hummer EV SUV rides high on the emotions of the comeback of the iconic Hummer brand from the yesteryears. Here, we compare these full-blown all-electric SUVs step-by-step to find out how the Rivian R1S strikes the cool quotient better than the Hummer SUV EV.

Related: Why The Boxy Rivian R1S Makes More Sense Than The 300-Mile BMW iX

The Rivian R1S Has Subtler Road Presence

2022 Rivian R1S Electric SUV In Studio
VIa: Rivian

When it comes to the way they look from the outside, the Rivian R1S and GMC Hummer SUV EV have drastically different approaches. The GMC Hummer SUV EV has retained that ‘in-your-face’ attitude of the gas-guzzling Hummers from the past, with its muscular-looking front grille, squared-off wheel arches and fenders, and high-running shoulder line. The full-size spare tire mounted on the back gives that rugged, go-anywhere look to the Hummer SUV EV.

On the other hand, the RIvian R1S sports a cleaner look, evident in its minimalist front fascia and stretched, sleek-looking LED lights at both front and rear. While its side profile also gets squared wheel arches, it has lesser visual drama than the Hummer SUV EV, with cleaner lines and flush-type door handles. The Hummer SUV EV stands out for its butch and loud design, but clearly, the Rivian R1S makes for a better choice if you want to stand out from the crowd while being subtle at the same time.

The Cabin Of The Rivian R1S Feels More Practical And Smoother

Rivian R1S interior
Via: Rivian

Step inside the Rivian R1S, and you will instantly feel that the sleekness of the exterior of this SUV has been retained in its cabin too. Both SUVs get massive touchscreen infotainment systems and instrument consoles behind their steering wheel. However, the rest of the dashboard of the Rivian R1S looks cleaner with seamlessly-integrated air conditioner vents. On the other hand, the Hummer SUV EV retains that ‘in-your-face’ attitude of the exterior design in the cabin as well, with its boxy lines, massive rectangles, and protruding elements on the dashboard.

Despite being shorter than the GMC Hummer SUV EV by around 6 inches, the Rivian R1S gets an additional row of seats behind the second row, which makes it a seven-seater family. The third row of seats, which are also foldable, make it a comparatively more suitable vehicle for larger families.

The Rivian R1S Goes Further And Faster Than GMC Hummer SUV EV

Rivian R1S driving Off-Road
Via Rivian

Despite all the abundance of sportiness in the visual appeal of the GMC Hummer SUV EV, it is the Rivian R1S that is more capable with a higher range and better performance, though the differences are marginal. In their top-spec forms, the Rivian R1S claims 316 miles of range, believed to be higher than the ‘more than 300+’ miles of range claimed by the Hummer SUV EV. Even in their base-spec versions, the 260+miles of range claimed by the R1S is more than the Hummer SUV EV’s 250+ miles of range.

While comparing sheer performance, the Rivian R1S pulls off a surprise by being faster and more powerful than the brute-looking GMC Hummer SUV EV. In its top-spec form, the Rivian R1S gets a quad-motor setup, with one motor affixed on each wheel. The combined power output of these electric motors is 835 hp, while their peak torque output of 908 lb-ft.

Related: The DIfferences And Similarities Between The GMC Hummer EV SUV And The GMC Hummer EV

On the other hand, the GMC Hummer SUV EV claims a maximum power output of 830 hp with its ‘Ultium Drive’ tri-motor setup. GMC claims a staggering torque output of 11,500 lb-ft for the Hummer SUV EV, which is most likely calculated using the torque output produced on the wheels and multiplying the figure with the final drive ratios. In the real-world scenario, the torque output is likely to range between 800-900 lb-ft. Both the SUVs claim to cover the 0-60 mph sprint in three seconds, though the higher power and torque outputs claimed by the Rivian R1S should give it an edge in the longer run.