General Motors' (GM) vehicle-electrification strategy is accelerating, and its brands are announcing new models rapidly. Chevrolet has already announced the Silverado EV pickup and the Equinox EV, and it has now revealed the new Blazer EV, which has an expected on-sale date of Spring 2023.
Like the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV, the new Blazer EV will use GM's Ultium platform, but Chevy hasn't detailed sizes and range numbers for the all-electric compact crossover SUV. We'll see single- and dual-motor configurations—the latter providing all-wheel drive (AWD)—with a high-end SS performance variant at the top and lower-priced single-motor versions at the entry level.
Four trims are available on the new Blazer EV: 1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS. Chevy will also offer a dedicated fleet model for use by police and others. The Blazer EV's Ultium platform enables flexible software functionality and may help Chevy improve the SUV over time. It's also a dedicated electric platform, so there are none of the headaches that come along with retrofitting a traditional gas vehicle's underpinnings to work with batteries and electric motors.
The Blazer EV's styling is sharper and more futuristic than its gas-powered counterpart, but the new look doesn't drastically stray off the track laid out by its predecessor. Exterior styling for the base 1LT trim includes a monochromatic color scheme and 19-inch wheels. The RS adds black trim and larger 21-inch wheels. The SS is the most aggressive Blazer EV model and comes with two-tone paint and 22-inch wheels.
The SS also gets dual-element LED exterior lighting and animated light sequences when the driver nears the vehicle. A full-LED light bar and illuminated Chevy bowtie badge are standard. Those lights also provide a quick state-of-charge gauge, as Chevy says they change depending on the battery percentage.
Chevy says the Blazer's interior takes cues from the company's sports cars, such as the Camaro and Corvette. The RS and SS trims get a flat-bottom steering wheel and unique air vent shapes. The SUV features two rows of seats and space for up to five people. The top RS and SS trims come standard with LED ambient interior lighting, contrast stitching, and suede microfiber seats for the SS. Chevrolet says it sourced sustainable materials for the SUV's interior.
Chevrolet offers a variety of powertrain options in the new Blazer EV. The 1LT and 2LT trims come standard with FWD. According to the automaker, the 1LT provides 247 miles of range, and the 2LT can reach up to 293 miles in specific configurations. The RS trim has a range of up to 320 miles, and it can take advantage of DC fast charging speeds of up to 190 kW. Chevy says the sporty SS delivers 290 miles of range.
The Blazer is Chevy's first EV to get an SS badge, and here it means 557 horsepower and 648 pound-feet of torque. Like the Silverado EV, the Blazer EV comes with "Wide Open Watts" mode, or WOW, essentially a jacked-up launch-control system. According to Chevy, when active, WOW enables the SS to make the sprint from zero-to-60 mph in less than four seconds.
GM's Ultium Platform is flexible and allowed Chevy to give the Blazer EV a low, wide stance for better handling and ride quality. All variants come with an 11.5-kW onboard charger, and GM's Ultium Charge 360 program includes more than 100,000 public charging stations in the United States and Canada.
The Blazer EV is available with many advanced driving assistance systems, though Chevrolet didn't disclose which are standard or optional. Features include:
A head-up display is also standard, and Chevrolet offers hands-free Super Cruise in the Blazer EV. The system works on select roads in the U.S. and Canada.
The Blazer EV comes standard with a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital gauge cluster. In addition to entertainment features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Blazer's infotainment system offers navigation with charging station location. Chevrolet says the Ultium platform enables more and better technology upgrades over time, so it's likely that the Blazer EV will pick up new or available features in the future.
Interestingly, the Blazer EV lacks a start/stop button. When entering the vehicle, the driver only needs to press the brake pedal, and it's ready to go. A hands-free liftgate is available, and it comes with a unique proximity-based sensor that can open the door automatically when it detects the key fob nearby.
The Blazer EV faces off directly against the Tesla Model Y in terms of price and size. The Y is one of Tesla's best-selling models, and some variants are sold out with months-long waiting lists. The Blazer EV's success may come down to availability, as it's difficult for Tesla to keep pace with demand.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is another close competitor. The Mach-E GT offers brutal performance and retains its SUV-like useful proportions, and Ford also priced it similar to the Blazer EV. Buyers may also consider the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, or Volkswagen ID.4.
Chevrolet is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of July 18, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
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