The next thrust in GM’s multipronged electric vehicle offensive was revealed on Thursday, with the hotly anticipated battery-powered Chevrolet Blazer EV debuting in all its glory. A perfect foil to the popular Ford Mustang Mach-E, this Ultium platform-based SUV can be had with front-, rear- or all-wheel drive, offers up to 320 miles of range on a charge and should start around $45,000 when it goes on sale next year.
Speeds and feeds
Five versions of Blazer EV will be offered: 1LT is the base trim, 2LT and RS are the midrange offerings and SS is the high-performance variant. Serving law enforcement agencies and other fleet customers is the Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) trim. The entry-level model comes with front-wheel drive and delivers up to 247 miles between charges. The 2LT model is available with front- or all-wheel drive and ups the range to a more impressive 293 miles. Maximizing choice, the RS variant is available front-, rear- or all-wheel drive and delvers up to 320 miles of range. Finally, the SS version can go an estimated 290 miles between charges.
As for performance, Chevy only shared output figures for the SS version and they are seriously impressive. This variant packs a wallop thanks to its 557-horsepower and 648 pound-feet of torque. With that many kibbles and bits, all-wheel drive is required and, thankfully, comes standard. Bury the accelerator pedal and this battery-powered Blazer should be able to hit 60 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds when the Wide Open Watts (yep, that’s WOW for short) mode is enabled.
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When it comes to replenishing the battery, Chevy’s Blazer EV supports Level 2 charging at 11.5 kilowatts. Roll up to a DC fast charger and this SUV should be able to take in energy at an impressive rate of 190 kW, which is appreciably more than a lot of competing EVs can do, even if it falls short of Tesla and Hyundai’s E-GMP cars like the Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60. Engineers estimate that performance allows this SUV to absorb around 78 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
Style for miles
With a relatively long hood, arcing fenders and plenty of body side sculpting, the Blazer EV looks great in photos. The vehicle is aggressive without being gaudy, tasteful but not boring. Full LED exterior lighting should be standard. These lamps also help convey the battery’s state of charge, changing intensity and speed as the Blazer EV’s energy reserves increase.
Visually, the LT model features a monochromatic appearance and rolls on 19-inch wheels. The RS trim offers a bit more sport with its black grille and other blacked-out elements. As for rollers, 21s should be standard. Finally, the SS model is the most aggressive of the bunch, with its unique grille, two-tone color schemes and black roof and A-pillars. Further hinting at their performance, SS models feature 22-inch wheels.
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Inside, passengers are treated to a whopping 17.7-inch touch screen infotainment display. There’s also an 11-inch digital instrument cluster. For a sporty look, RS and SS models come with a flat-bottom steering wheel, though all grades should feature a flat floor for greater passenger comfort. Heated and ventilated front seats should be standard in RS and SS trims. Heated outboard rear positions are optional on the former grade and standard on the latter. GM’s stellar Super Cruise hands-free driving aid is available, too.
Safety features like forward and reverse automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams and more are either standard or available in this vehicle. The Blazer EV also comes with a power-opening charge door and special route planning in the navigation system, so you never have to worry about running out of juice. When it’s time to replenish the battery, drivers can also access Ultium Charge 360, which is designed to simplify the charging experience. This amenity includes access to more than 100,000 public charging stations in the US and Canada
Pricing and availability
The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV should start arriving at dealerships in the summer of 2023, so about a year from now… assuming there aren’t any supply chain snarls to deal with. The fleet-focused PPV version goes on sale in 2024.
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As for pricing, the 1LT model is expected to start around $45,000, with the 2LT variant stickering for about three grand more. The RS grade should kick off at roughly 52 big ones, while the SS model ought to go for about $66,000. This all-electric utility vehicle will be built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico alongside the combustion-powered Blazer SUV.
It looks like 2023 will be a banner year for Chevy electric vehicles. Along with the stylish, new Blazer EV, battery-powered versions of the Silverado pickup truck and Equinox SUV are set to launch as well.
