The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV RS first drive: A worthy however expensive all-electric SUV

GM has launched a smattering of EVs up to now two years: the GMC Hummer SUV and its companion pickup truck, the Cadillac Lyriq and the Silverado EV pickup truck. However to date, none of them have had the success of the cheaper, smaller Chevy Bolt, the wedge-like all-electric hatchback that debuted almost eight years ago.

To say the strain is on for GM and the brand new Chevrolet Blazer EV — a automobile designed to satiate Individuals’ endless appetites for SUVs — is a little bit of an understatement. The burden of GM’s EV success doesn’t relaxation fully on the all-electric midsize SUV; the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV, GMC Sierra pickup and Cadillac Escalade IQ, all of that are anticipated in 2024, share that burden.

Nonetheless, the Chevrolet Blazer EV is a essential take a look at piece for GM and Chair and CEO Mary Barra’s Ultium platform, the brand new electrical structure and accompanying Ultifi software program first revealed in 2020 that’s the basis of the automaker’s EV plans.

TechCrunch lately drove out to San Diego to check the Chevrolet Blazer EV. The upshot? The Chevy Blazer EV hits loads of the proper notes from the outside design and inside touches to the consumer interface on its infotainment system and a well-planted drive. There are not any egregious missteps both, though some may put eliminating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into that camp. And fortunately, Chevy has designed and produced a fully regular SUV — a welcome aid from the string of novelty EVs which have come available on the market in recent times.

The large miss is the higher-than-expected price tag. Whereas Chevrolet has mentioned its most cost-effective model, the front-wheel drive LT trim, shall be priced beneath $50,000, the opposite variations begin at $56,715, $60,215 and $61,790 with the most costly SS mannequin not even introduced but.

That value vary leaves me with this punchline: despite all of its wins, the Blazer EV, which is meant to be a quantity vendor, is just too costly for what it provides.

Nuts and bolts

Picture Credit: GM

First, the specs. The Chevy Blazer EV shall be supplied in three trims: the LT, RS and efficiency SS. The Chevy Blazer EV RS trim in all-wheel drive is already in manufacturing at GM’s manufacturing facility in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The LT all-wheel and RS rear-wheel drive variations are anticipated to enter manufacturing within the “coming weeks” with others following later within the yr, in accordance with the corporate.

If this appears like loads of decisions, you’re proper. Chevrolet is providing a great deal of choices. A purchaser not solely has three trims to select from — luxurious (LT), rally sport (RS) and tremendous sport (SS) — there are additionally two totally different 400-volt battery pack sizes and a selection between entrance, rear and all-wheel drive choices.

The large unanswered query is whether or not this may thrill or overwhelm shoppers?

Chevrolet has couched the head-spinning variety of configurations as a aggressive benefit that buyers will reply to, in distinction to Tesla, which has taken the EV gross sales lead with a less-is-more enterprise mannequin. From the surface, it may very well be construed that Chevrolet is providing all of those choices as a result of it isn’t clear on what shoppers truly need. If that’s the case, I’d anticipate these decisions to turn into extra restricted sooner or later as Chevrolet houses in on what shoppers are shopping for.

The press drive held in San Diego put reporters behind the wheel of the rear-wheel and all-wheel drive variations of the Chevy Blazer EV RS trim.

The RWD RS outfitted with a 102 kWh battery pack has an EPA licensed vary of 324 miles and a powertrain that gives 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. That RWD model, which has a bit extra pep in its step and longer vary, begins at $61,790. The RS AWD begins at $60,215.

A fast phrase in regards to the all-wheel drive powertrain, which is notably branded eAWD. On this powertrain, there’s a 241-horsepower permanent-magnet synchronous motor that powers the entrance wheels and a 90-horsepower induction motor on the rear axle. That rear motor isn’t working on a regular basis. As an alternative, clients ought to consider this as an assistant motor that steps in if the roads are slippery or as they hit the accelerator.

Chevy Blazer EV: Like, love and detest

Picture Credit: Kirsten Korosec

Chevrolet, or extra like its dad or mum GM, made a strategic determination with this midsize SUV when it determined to provide it the Blazer badge. In spite of everything, the gas-powered Blazer lineup nonetheless very a lot exists and can share the identical vendor ground house. The title, nevertheless, is the place the similarities finish, with maybe the exception of getting virtually similar lengths.

All of it diverges from there. The Blazer EV has an extended 121.8-inch wheelbase — almost 10 inches longer than the ICE model — and it’s a skosh wider too. These specs mixed with a decrease roofline and athletic stance give the Chevy Blazer EV a sleeker look than its gas-powered cousin.

There’s a lot to love, and even love, in regards to the Chevy Blazer EV. Detest? Possibly one or two objects made my record.

Opinions on the outside will probably fluctuate; Right here at TechCrunch it’s protected to say some people hated it. However it’s important to give GM credit score for giving the Chevy Blazer EV a persona with some standout exterior options that maintain it from wanting like yet one more homogeneous Vitamin E pill-shaped nugget. The automobile is on the market in eight colours with the “radiant red metallic” and “galaxy grey metallic” because the choices that finest spotlight the curves and edges of the Blazer EV.

Notably, the automaker does this with out making the Blazer EV seem like a novelty automotive. That edgy-without-being-silly vibe continues into the cabin — a spot the place the automobile actually shines with a couple of exceptions.

Chevrolet makes the many of the Blazer EV’s large stance, a call that leaves the driving force and its passengers with loads of room; together with 59.8 cubic ft of rear cargo house. That roomy, spacious really feel even extends to the seats themselves. Whereas the seats weren’t essentially the most comfy I’ve ever skilled, they’re clearly designed to suit a variety of dimensions and shapes.

Picture Credit: GM

As soon as contained in the Blazer EV, clients received’t be capable of miss the big 17.7-inch central touchscreen and the 11-inch instrument cluster positioned immediately behind the steering wheel. A automobile with a big touchscreen doesn’t imply that there’s functioning software program or that’s it’s straightforward to make use of. Fortunately, the Blazer EV, the primary Chevy automobile with the Ultifi software program platform, will get many of the job achieved.

Let’s begin with the UX, or consumer expertise. The Chevrolet Blazer EV has a mix of bodily knobs and buttons together with that huge ol’ touchscreen. Chevy nails the stability between these choices and there’s loads of overlap for many who solely wish to use the touchscreen to function the HVAC and different options.

My favourite options: a big bodily knob is connected to the touchscreen (considerably harking back to the knob on the Ford Mustang Mach-E) and an icons on the far left of the display screen that act like shortcuts to one-pedal driving. There are literally a few these shortcut icons clustered collectively, however the one-pedal driving icon is by far essentially the most helpful.

Many, most lately Ford CEO Jim Farley, have knocked GM for abandoning Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which initiatives a consumer’s cellphone to the middle display screen. My expertise behind the wheel and within the passenger seat left me much less cautious than earlier than.

The Chevy Blazer EV is supplied with Google Built-in, which is powered by its Android Automotive working system and integrates Google providers together with Google Maps and Google Assistant immediately into the automobile. The Google Play Retailer, YouTube and third-party apps resembling Spotify are additionally obtainable. This translate to pretty clean operations for the consumer and a much better expertise than what many different wonky infotainment techniques provide. Though it needs to be famous that to start with of my drive I needed to change out automobiles on account of a software program bug that didn’t permit entry to any of these options. This needs to be mounted with a software program replace and hopefully received’t be a lingering challenge.

As for these misses: the operation of the inventory to shift into impartial, drive and reverse is awkward and the “sport” mode is, properly not precisely sporty. Despite the littlest of additional oomphs off the road, there didn’t look like any distinction from the traditional drive possibility referred to as “tour.” The Chevy Blazer EV RS doesn’t have managed or energetic suspension, which suggests switching between modes doesn’t change the trip really feel. The steering suggestions was additionally lower than inspiring within the RS. 

Which may appear moderately choosy contemplating the entire automobile’s wins. However for any automobile priced above $60,000 expectations needs to be excessive.