After six months and 1,200 miles behind the wheel of the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV LT AWD, it’s time for an honest, in-depth review. This isn’t just a quick spin around the block; this is real-world experience, road trips, and daily driving. While the Blazer EV has garnered attention and excitement as Chevy’s entry into the electric SUV market, living with it day-to-day reveals both its strengths and weaknesses. Did the Blazer EV live up to expectations, or are there some serious considerations for potential buyers? Let’s dive into a comprehensive Chevy Blazer Ev Review based on long-term ownership.
What Makes the Chevy Blazer EV Great?
One thing is undeniable: the Chevy Blazer EV is a joy to drive in most everyday situations. My model, a 2024 LT AWD (comparable to the current 2LT trim), came with some launch edition perks and immediately impressed with its quiet and refined ride quality. The software integration is also a standout feature, making the tech experience seamless.
Space is another major plus. During a 1,200-mile road trip from San Diego to Utah, the Blazer EV swallowed an impressive amount of gear. Camping equipment, coolers, tables, chairs, extra clothing – it all fit comfortably. We even slept in the back, and while it was a bit cozy for two adults (both under 5’7″), it proved the spaciousness of the cargo area.
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Image: Front three-quarter view of a red 2024 Chevy Blazer EV LT, showcasing its stylish design and road presence.
The integrated Google Maps is a game-changer. Forgetting about Apple CarPlay connection issues is liberating. Being able to run errands without needing my phone, yet still having access to Spotify and reliable navigation, is a significant convenience. The Blazer EV’s software truly feels modern and intuitive.
Ground clearance is another unexpected benefit. With a substantial 7.9 inches of clearance, the Blazer EV sits higher than many mainstream electric SUVs. Compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 with their 6.1 inches, or even Jeep’s first EV SUV at 6.4 inches, the Blazer EV offers a noticeable advantage. This, combined with the generous cargo space and roomy back seats, makes it an ideal EV for those who enjoy outdoor adventures. If you’re looking to take four adults camping or explore dirt roads, the Blazer EV is a top contender in the electric SUV segment.
Image: Side profile of the Chevy Blazer EV on a dirt road, emphasizing its ground clearance and suitability for light off-road adventures.
For those needing even more capability, options like the Rivian, electric G-Wagen, or electric pickups exist, but they come at a significantly higher price point. The Blazer EV strikes a good balance of practicality and value.
Chevy Blazer EV: Areas for Improvement
The EPA-estimated range for my Blazer EV LT AWD is 279 miles. While acceptable, real-world road trips highlight the limitations. Conservative range predictions meant I often arrived at charging stops with around 20% battery, even though the system aimed for 10%. Considering charging speeds slow down significantly above 80%, effectively only about 60% of the battery capacity was consistently usable for travel. This translated to roughly 160-180 miles between charges, with charging stops averaging around 35 minutes.
While the range is comparable to AWD Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 models, and a longer-range RWD version is available, frequent road trippers would ideally want closer to 350 miles of EPA range for more comfortable journeys. However, it’s worth noting that the increased stops can lead to less driver fatigue compared to longer, non-stop drives.
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Image: The Chevy Blazer EV plugged into a public charging station, illustrating the charging process and infrastructure dependency of electric vehicles.
Driving dynamics are adequate, but not exhilarating. The Blazer EV, being a large and heavy crossover, prioritizes comfort over sporty handling. The 288-horsepower powertrain with 333 lb-ft of torque provides ample initial punch, but the 5,300-lb weight becomes noticeable when pushing for spirited driving. Handling is competent for its class, better than a Toyota RAV4 or Ford Escape, but not designed for performance enthusiasts. It’s perfectly acceptable for daily driving, just not particularly exciting.
The sound system and seats are also in the “just fine” category. Highway cruising is quiet and comfortable, but the standard speakers and seats lack the premium feel found in vehicles like the Cadillac Lyriq. Seat comfort was adequate for the 1,200-mile trip, but a more luxurious setup would be preferable.
Significant Drawbacks of the Chevy Blazer EV
The MyChevrolet smartphone app is a major pain point. Slow response times, often taking close to a minute to update the state of charge, and unreliable remote start commands are frequent frustrations. While workarounds like sending a lock command first or using the MyBuick app (surprisingly more consistent) exist, the app experience is clunky and feels years behind Tesla’s industry-leading app.
Tesla Supercharger access, while welcome, is not seamless. Despite GM’s agreement to utilize the Supercharger network, initiating charging through the MyChevrolet app is less reliable than using the native Tesla app. Unlike Rivian and Ford, the Blazer EV doesn’t offer automatic payment and charge initiation at Superchargers, adding an extra step to the process.
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Image: A Chevy Blazer EV awkwardly parked across multiple Tesla Supercharger stalls, highlighting the challenges of using Tesla’s network with non-Tesla vehicles due to cable length and stall design.
The physical charging experience at Superchargers can also be awkward. The shorter charging cables often require parking across multiple stalls or even partially off-road to reach the charging port. This is not GM’s fault, but rather an inherent limitation of integrating with a charging network designed for a specific brand of vehicles. V4 Supercharger stations with longer cables offer a glimpse of a more user-friendly future.
Charging times are also longer than ideal. Even on a 350-kW fast charger, a 10-80% charge can take around 40 minutes under optimal conditions. Cold weather significantly impacts range. A trip to Bryce Canyon in near-freezing temperatures and with elevation gains demonstrated a noticeable drop in efficiency, highlighting the need for more range, especially for cold-weather road trips.
Finally, quality control is an area of concern. Persistent rattles (even after headliner replacement) and a panoramic moonroof that frequently fails to close on the first attempt point to potential build quality issues. These issues have already necessitated multiple dealer service appointments.
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Image: A detailed view of the Chevy Blazer EV’s charging port, emphasizing the technology and infrastructure that powers electric vehicles.
Final Verdict: Is the Chevy Blazer EV a Good Buy?
Despite its drawbacks, I remain satisfied with the Blazer EV, primarily because of its value proposition. The lease deal I secured makes it a compellingly affordable EV experience. It’s not a perfect, seamless EV ownership experience like a Tesla, and it requires planning and adaptation, especially for road trips. You’ll need adapters, potentially a third-party route planner, and be prepared for potential quality quirks.
However, the Chevy Blazer EV delivers on its promise of a comfortable, stylish, and highly practical SUV at a reasonable price point. It’s a learning experience, showcasing both the current state and the future potential of EV ownership. It highlights areas where GM and the broader EV industry need improvement – software, charging infrastructure, and build quality.
Ultimately, the Blazer EV is a significant step forward. It’s cheaper to operate, quieter, smoother, and technologically more advanced than many gasoline-powered alternatives. It represents a worthwhile entry point into the EV world, acknowledging that while the technology is still evolving, the current experience is already “pretty damn good.” It requires a bit of flexibility and a willingness to adapt, but for those ready for the EV adventure, the Chevy Blazer EV offers a compelling ride.
