5 Thoughts About the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV
Author:
Jason Fogelson.
After a balky launch from the starting line, General Motors has put its accelerator pedal to the floor on electric vehicles (EVs). GM told us several years ago about its Ultium platform, which promised new battery chemistry and configuration, then went ahead and gave us the Bolt and Bolt EUV – neither of which used the new setup. Now, EVs are popping out of the GM factories in a hurry. The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV is the latest example. The Blazer EV is hitting dealer lots right now. I drove two versions of the new EV in the San Diego area last week and returned to chilly Michigan with five thoughts.
1. The Blazer EV is beautiful inside and out.
The internal-combustion-engined (ICE) Blazer is the best-looking of the Chevrolet gas-powered crossover SUVs. The Blazer EV kicks it up a notch on the exterior. Since EVs don’t require front grilles to cool a radiator, Chevy’s designers could rework the front proportions a little, making the EV look low and mean. It still looks like a Blazer, only better. Inside, designers paid close attention to texture and material choices. Subtle differences between surfaces create drama and interest. The round HVAC vents look like exhaust ports and lend a hot rod flavor. The digital instrument panel and landscape-oriented infotainment touchscreen share an ample housing and cant slightly toward the driver for a cockpit feel. The interior is elegant, modern, and sporty and feels upscale and high-quality.
2. Rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and front-wheel drive?
Chevy’s got a novel strategy for the Blazer EV. Eventually, you’ll be able to configure a new Blazer EV in rear-wheel drive (RWD), all-wheel drive (AWD), or front-wheel drive (FWD). The engineers thank the Ultium platform for this flexibility, which no current EV offers. We’re getting closer and closer to the fantasy of the plug-and-play configurable car. The Ultium battery setup looks like the skateboard chassis we’ve been promised for decades, making radical drivetrain choices possible without significant retooling or production issues. I’m not sure who would choose FWD when RWD or AWD is available, and Chevy hasn’t provided driving samples of FWD Blazer EV SUVs yet – so this option may remain theoretical.
3. It’s a little bigger than the gas Blazer on the outside; it feels larger on the inside.
Designers pushed the wheels out to the corners with minimal overhang front and rear. Though the EV is only 0.4 inches longer than the gas Blazer, the EV’s wheelbase is over nine inches longer (121.8 inches vs. 112.7 inches). This stretch shows up as an advantage in front legroom (44.2 inches front in the EV vs. 41.0 in the ICE) but a slight disadvantage in cargo space (59.1 cubic feet behind the first row/25.5 cubic feet behind the second row in the EV vs. 64.2/30.5 in the ICE). The EV’s cabin feels open and airy, and some concealed storage beneath the load floor adds to the utility.
4. You can trade a little range for AWD.
Chevy has spec’d two propulsion battery array sizes for the Blazer: an 85-kilowatt-hour set and a 102-kWh one. The big battery gets fitted in RWD models to deliver 324 miles of range; the less-powerful array goes to the AWD models with a 279-mile range rating in EPA test circuits. The trade-off assures that the two model prices are nearly equal — no word yet on which battery configuration will match with the FWD models.
5. It’s pricey, even after rebates.
According to Chevy, the Blazer EV will come in 1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS trim levels, with a Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) version based on the SS to follow. The 2LT AWD and RS AWD models are on sale now, starting at $53,195 and $57,595, respectively). Add $1,000 for RS RWD. The SS, 1LT, and PPV models should arrive by spring 2024. The 2024 Blazer EV RS AWD I drove carried an as-tested price of $60,215, including a base price of $56,200, an RS Convenience and Driver Confidence Package ($2,620), and a $1,395 destination charge. Chevy builds the Blazer EV in Mexico, and it qualifies for federal rebates for battery electric vehicles with North American content. Still, once you add options, taxes, and fees, the Blazer EV inches toward luxury pricing – this is certainly not an entry-level EV.
The Wrap
I liked the Blazer EV. The driving experience was superb, as the Ultium platform’s low center of gravity contributes to great cornering feel, and the AWD setup delivered grip that added confidence. The high quality of interior finishes and the thoughtful layout inside are a step above the ICE Blazer and several steps above the Bolt EV. Overall, the build quality, fit, and finish of the Blazer EV answer the question, “What can you learn about building cars in over a century of manufacturing?” The Blazer EV takes direct aim at the Tesla Model Y, and shoppers would be wise to pay attention before making a purchase. Related:
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV: Choosing the Right Trim.
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