Chevrolet has just released the details of its upcoming Blazer EV. And according to our initial impressions, this forthcoming electric SUV from the American automaker shows excellent potential. For instance, one of the most exciting things to note about the electrified Blazer is that it is not a mere derivative of its gas-powered counterpart. Instead, it is an all-new vehicle based on Chevrolet's Ultium platform.
The Blazer EV offers a stunning exterior design and comes across as a decent package when we factor in the number of features, its drivetrain capability, and the safety equipment it offers. With a wide array of trim lines on offer, Chevrolet is trying to position the Blazer EV across multiple segments.
The Blazer EV won't go on sale until the summer of 2023. However, with several electric SUVs currently available in the market, is this Chevrolet worth the wait? In our opinion, it indeed is!
Here are a few crucial reasons why we believe the Chevrolet Blazer EV should be on the top of your buying list and why it is worth the wait.
Blazer EV's Ultium Platform Is Truly Ultimate
The Ultium platform in the Blazer EV is nothing short of an engineering masterpiece. A combination of battery and motor, it has been designed in such a way as to provide various combinations depending upon what end result we seek in terms of drive type and range. This has allowed GM to offer different drivetrain and range options on the Blazer EV, allowing customers to choose exactly what they want in terms of driving experience.
What's interesting to note here is that the inspiration for the versatility of this platform came from GM's very own Camaro. The heartthrob American sports car, comes in various configurations: From a convertible with a 4-cylinder turbo to a full-blown supercharged V8. Based on this concept, the Blazer EV will also be offered across multiple drivetrain configurations.
The base 1LT trim will get a front-wheel drive configuration as standard and will offer 247 miles of range on a single charge. Siting above it will be the 2LT trim, which will also get a front-wheel drive configuration as standard with a driving range of 293 miles. However, this trim can also be configured with AWD.
Moving up the ladder, we get the RS trim of the Blazer EV. Now, as standard, this too comes with a front-wheel drive configuration. But thanks to the flexibility of the Ultium platform, Chevrolet is offering this trim with either rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration. The RS trim provides the maximum range across Blazer EV's line-up, which stands at 320 miles.
Blazer EV's SS Grade Packs In A Big Punch
In addition to the grades mentioned above, the Blazer EV also gets an SS trim. This one has been positioned as the performance-oriented model of this electric SUV. It will only be available with an all-wheel drive configuration and have an estimated driving range of 293 miles. Though GM hasn't released the performance specs of the other grades of the Blazer EV, it says that the SS trim will churn out close to 557 horsepower.
It will also feature a Wide Open Watts mode in which this SUV can do 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds. In addition, it comes with several visual updates to differentiate the SS grade from the rest of the Blaze EV range. For instance, it has a contrasting black roof, larger rims, and an aggressive front fascia. Furthermore, exclusive SS features can be seen inside the cabin as this grade comes with red leather upholstered seats and SS badging.
Blazer EV's Cabin Is Spacious And Loaded With Tech
In addition to its drivetrain capabilities, the advantages of the Ultium platform can be seen inside the cabin of the Blazer EV as well. The designers benefited from this vehicle's leaner and wider proportions, allowing them to utilize the space more ergonomically.
With the second row of seats folded down, this electric SUV offers 59.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Other practical features of this vehicle include split folding rear seats and a power lift tailgate. The Blazer EV will offer different interior upholstery color schemes based on your chosen trim levels. While the RS and SS will be available with a choice of bright red, the base LT trims will be offered a more understated all-black interior.
The highlight of this electric SUV's cabin has to be its two diagonal displays. One is an 11-inch driver information display, while the other is a 17.7-inch infotainment system. The latter is angled slightly towards the driver to offer better usability. In addition, the Blazer EV's cabin highlights include a flat bottom steering wheel, turbine-style circular air vents, and a panoramic sunroof.
All the grades of this electric SUV come as standard with Chevrolet's standard safety suite. This includes driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and enhanced automatic parking assist, among others. In addition, select trims will also be offered with Chevrolet's Super Cruise autonomous driving tech.
Blazer EV Goes On Sale Starting Summer 2023
The 2LT and RS grades of the Chevrolet Blazer EV will go on sale in the summer of 2023. The performance spec SS will follow in the fall of 2023. While the base 1LT will only be made available by winter 2023. The prices of the 1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS grades as estimated around $44,995, $47,595, $51,995, and $65,995 respectively.