GMC Design Head Shares Original Design Idea for Hummer EV

Of the many design features that make the 2022 GMC Hummer pickup stand out from the competition, one thing that could’ve been an instant hit was a midgate.

First introduced as part of the now-discontinued Chevrolet Avalanche, the midgate made it possible for owners to extend the carrying capacity of the truck bed by separating it from the cabin. This can be done by folding down the panel behind the rear seats.

But when the Avalanche left the market, the midgate feature also vanished. That was until the designers of the reborn GMC Hummer pickup thought of adding it to the model. Unfortunately, the midgate didn’t make it to the final production version. Here’s why:

“There was [a midgate] early on [but GM] opted for the functionality of the drop glass in the back,” GMC Hummer Exterior Design Manager John Mack told online publication Muscle Cars & Trucks. “With the package layout and things like that it was not advantageous to pursue [a midgate]. And the 5-foot bed was kind of the industry standard in regards to [the] price of entry in that segment.”

The powered drop glass is among the most attractive features in the new Hummer. Capable of retracting at the push of a button, it complements the removable “infinity roof” panels for more off-roading freedom for drivers.

Without the midgate, the Hummer EV’s truck bed measures 5 feet long, similar to that of the upcoming Rivian R1T and Nikola Badger, which goes to show that it’s not out of the ordinary. While the Tesla Cybertruck and Bollinger B2 come with larger cargo beds, GMC does not appear to be concerned with that at the slightest.

Should the cargo space be an issue for interested buyers of the returning Hummer, GMC makes the “frunk” (front trunk) as the solution.