GM has offered Just a few electrical autos previously couple of years: the GMC Hummer SUV and its accompanying pickup truck, the Cadillac Lyriq and the Silverado EV pickup truck. However thus far, none have had the success of the smaller, cheaper Chevy Bolt, a wedge-shaped all-electric hatchback that debuted practically eight years in the past.
To say that the strain is on for GM and the brand new Chevrolet Blazer EV — a car designed to satiate People’ unending urge for food for SUVs — is a little bit of an understatement. The load of GM’s all-electric success does not relaxation on all-electric midsize SUVs; Sharing this burden are the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV, GMC Sierra pickup, and Cadillac Escalade iQ, all of that are anticipated to debut in 2024.
Nevertheless, the Chevrolet Blazer EV is an important check of GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra’s Ultium platform, the brand new electrical structure and accompanying Ultifi software program first unveiled in 2020 that’s the basis of the automaker’s electrical car plans.
TechCrunch just lately headed to San Diego to check the Chevrolet Blazer EV. The outcome? The Chevy Blazer EV hits loads of the best notes from its exterior design and inside touches to its infotainment system’s person interface and well-planted drivetrain. There aren’t any main faults both, though some would possibly put the elimination of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on this camp. Happily, Chevy has designed and produced a totally regular SUV, which is a welcome reduction from the slew of latest electrical autos which have hit the market in recent times.
The massive mistake is the upper than anticipated worth. Whereas Chevrolet stated its least expensive model, the front-wheel-drive LT, can be priced below $50,000, with different variations beginning at $56,715, $60,215 and $61,790, the costliest SS mannequin has not but been introduced.
That worth vary leaves me with this assertion: For all its triumphs, the Blazer EV, which goals to be a mass vendor, is just too costly for what it gives.
Nuts and bolts
![Chevy Blazer EV Spec Sheet](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-13-at-9.56.59-AM.jpg)
Picture credit: GM
First, the specs. The Chevy Blazer EV can be supplied in three fashions: LT, RS, and Efficiency SS. The all-wheel drive Chevy Blazer EV RS is already in manufacturing at GM’s plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The rear-wheel drive LT and RS all-wheel drive variations are anticipated to enter manufacturing within the “coming weeks” with different variations to observe later within the 12 months, in accordance with the corporate.
If this feels like loads of choices, you are proper. Chevrolet gives loads of choices. Not solely do consumers have three fashions to select from – Luxurious (LT), Rally Sport (RS) and Tremendous Sport (SS) – there are additionally two totally different 400-volt battery sizes and a alternative between entrance, rear and all-wheel drive. Driving choices.
The massive unanswered query is whether or not it will excite or confuse customers?
Chevrolet has framed the astonishing variety of configurations as a aggressive benefit that customers will reply to, not like Tesla, which has taken the lead in electrical car gross sales with a “much less is extra” enterprise mannequin. From the surface, it may be defined that Chevrolet gives all these choices as a result of it isn’t clear what customers really need. In that case, I count on these decisions to grow to be extra restricted sooner or later as Chevrolet navigates what customers are shopping for.
The press blitz in San Diego put reporters behind the wheel of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variations of the Chevy Blazer EV RS.
The RWD RS outfitted with the 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack has an EPA-certified vary of 324 miles and the powertrain delivers 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The RWD model, which has extra pep in its step and longer vary, begins at $61,790. Pricing for the RS AWD begins at $60,215.
A fast phrase concerning the all-wheel drive powertrain, which is particularly labeled eAWD. On this powertrain there’s a 241 hp everlasting magnet synchronous motor that powers the entrance wheels and a 90 hp induction motor on the rear axle. This rear motor does not work on a regular basis. As an alternative, prospects ought to consider this as an auxiliary motor that steps in if the roads are slippery or when the accelerator is depressed.
Chevy Blazer EV: Like love and hate![Chevy Blazer EV RS - side view](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/chevy-blazer-EV-RS-side-view.jpg)
Picture credit: Kirsten Korosek
Chevrolet, or like its guardian Basic Motors, made a strategic determination about this midsize SUV when it determined to badge it the Blazer. In any case, the gas-powered Blazer lineup remains to be very a lot there and can share the identical seller ground house. Nevertheless, the identify is the place the similarities finish, besides maybe for having nearly an identical lengths.
Every thing diverges from there. The Blazer EV has an extended wheelbase at 121.8 inches — practically 10 inches longer than the ICE model — and it is wider, too. These specs mixed with a low roofline and sporty stance give the Chevy Blazer EV a sleeker look than its gas-powered cousin.
There’s quite a bit to love, even love, concerning the Chevy Blazer EV. I hate? Perhaps one or two objects made my checklist.
Opinions on the surface are prone to differ. Right here at TechCrunch, it is secure to say that some folks hate it. However it’s important to give GM credit score for giving the Chevy Blazer EV persona with some standout exterior options that preserve it from wanting like one other monolithic nugget formed like a vitamin E tablet. The automobile is offered in eight colours with “Radiant Pink Metallic” and “Grey Grey Metallic” Galaxy” as choices that higher spotlight the curves and edges of the Blazer EV.
Notably, the automaker does this with out making the Blazer EV appear like a brand new automobile. This daring and foolish vibe continues within the cabin – which is the place the automobile actually shines with a number of exceptions.
Chevrolet makes the a lot of the Blazer EV’s huge stance, a call that leaves the driving force and passengers loads of room; Together with 59.8 cubic ft of rear cargo house. This sense of spaciousness and spaciousness extends to the seats themselves. Though the seats weren’t essentially the most snug ever, they had been clearly designed to suit a variety of styles and sizes.
![Chevy Blazer EV Interior](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/chevy-blazer-ev-interior.jpg)
Picture credit: GM
As soon as contained in the Blazer EV, prospects will not be capable of miss the big 17.7-inch central touchscreen and 11-inch instrument cluster positioned straight behind the steering wheel. A automobile with a big contact display screen doesn’t imply that the software program is practical or straightforward to make use of. Happily, the Blazer EV, the primary Chevy with the Ultifi software program platform, will get a lot of the job achieved.
Let’s begin with person expertise or person expertise. The Chevrolet Blazer EV has an array of bodily knobs and buttons in addition to a big touchscreen. Chevy strikes a steadiness between these choices and there is loads of overlap for individuals who simply need to use the touchscreen to function the HVAC system and different options.
My favourite options: a big bodily knob hooked up to the touchscreen (considerably harking back to the one on the Ford Mustang Mach-E) and icons on the far left of the display screen that act as shortcuts to one-pedal driving. There are literally two of those shortcut icons grouped collectively, however the one-pedal driving icon is essentially the most helpful of all.
Many, most just lately Ford CEO Jim Farley, have criticized GM for abandoning Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which shows the person’s telephone on the middle display screen. My expertise behind the wheel and within the passenger seat has made me much less cautious than earlier than.
The Chevy Blazer EV is supplied with Google Built-in, which runs the Android Automotive working system and integrates Google companies together with Google Maps and Google Assistant straight into the car. Google Play Retailer, YouTube, and third-party apps like Spotify are additionally obtainable. This interprets into pretty clean operations for the person and a a lot better expertise than many different wonky infotainment techniques provide. Though it ought to be famous that firstly of my drive I needed to flip off the autos resulting from a software program bug that didn’t enable entry to any of those options. This ought to be fastened with a software program replace and hopefully it will not be a long-term situation.
As for these glitches: working the arrow to shift into impartial, drive and reverse is bizarre, and “sport” mode is not precisely sporty. DrRegardless of much less further oomph off the road, there does not appear to be any distinction from the common drive choice known as “Tour.” The Chevy Blazer EV RS does not have an energetic or managed suspension, which implies switching between modes does not change the trip really feel. Steering suggestions was additionally much less inspiring within the RS.
That will appear a bit choosy contemplating all the automobile’s wins. However for any car priced over $60,000, expectations ought to be excessive.