--- title: "Hear Me Out: GMC’s Crab Walk Mode Is Actually Good" date: "2024-11-19" modified: "2024-11-19" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/hear-me-out-gmcs-crab-walk-mode-is-actually-good" categories: - "GMC News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "GMC" - "Sierra" --- # Hear Me Out: GMC’s Crab Walk Mode Is Actually Good ![]() *GMC* If you're like me and commit most of your Sundays to the NFL, you've probably seen GMC's "[Push the Button]()" commercial more than you'd like. I feel like I can hear that robot voice telling me to push the button in my sleep and I can't handle it anymore. Annoying earworms aside, the 30-second TV spot also shows off GMC's Crab Walk mode for both the [Hummer EV]() and Sierra EV. Judging the new feature from TV ads alone, I initially felt like it was the most unnecessary, utterly useless function. But then I tested it and realized it wasn't useless at all. It's actually really cool. I pulled up to the Crab Walk course during the [GMC Sierra EV Denali]() press launch without any prior instruction on what it can do, what its limits are, or how to even use it. GMC just told us how to engage Crab Walk in the infotainment (which is followed by an obnoxious graphic and dramatic noise every. single. time.) and told us to go crab walkin'. The course was a series of staggered cone gates that we had to navigate, and we were docked time for every cone we hit. We were also told that it disengages at 25 mph, so we had to keep it slow and use the surround view camera to judge where the back of the bed is. After that, I was on my way. The first gate was only a few feet in front of the starting line, and off to the left, so I had to begin my first slide pretty quickly, without any idea of how much it would slide as I turned the wheel. With the windows down, I instinctively said, "Oh, I don't like this!" I'm positive the GMC people heard me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD91dUdrNyI Talking truthfully, I didn't like it at first because feeling a car slide sideways, like you're strafing in a video game, is an incredibly unnatural feeling. It feels wrong. However, after nailing the first two gates, I started to get the hang of it and actually enjoyed it. Since we were on loose dirt, the truck would even drift a little, adding to the challenge. It's an entirely unique experience in a typically homogenous car market and that makes it fascinating. During my second run, I felt more comfortable with it, almost flicking it through gates with one hand, using the cameras to make sure I didn't clip a cone with the tailgate. It's surprising how quickly your brain can adjust to such a foreign sensation. But afterward, I wanted more: a longer course, higher speeds, and trickier gates. Even still I couldn't think of a real-world use case for it. Maybe parallel parking, if there's enough space? In the aforementioned commercial, the Hummer EV Crab Walks in between a dumpster and a truck, even though a normal turn would have sufficed. I wasn't convinced customers would ever use it, so I asked a GMC spokesperson. I was given a couple of scenarios that sound like logical problems Crab Walk can solve. For instance, if you accidentally veer off into a ditch on the side of a trail and need to get out, when you turn the wheels and accelerate you're relying almost entirely on two tire sidewalls for grip. But with [Crab Walk](), you're doubling that level of grip while only moving sideways, instead of moving forward and trying to rotate sideways. Backing up to a trailer can also be made easier if there isn't enough room to turn the truck. It's going to be one of those features that isn't necessary all that often but when it does come in handy, customers are going to be glad they have it. It's also just fun. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()