Higher-than-expected inside high quality, a fantastic journey, and a improbable infotainment system. That’s how Motor1 alumnus Clint Simone described the brand new Chevrolet Blazer EV within the Edmunds video assessment the place he in contrast the American electrical crossover to 2 of the perfect choices within the midsize section: the Tesla Mannequin Y and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
However, as with nearly every little thing else in life, it’s not excellent, and I’ll get to that in a bit.
In comparison with the Ioniq 5, the entrance seats on the Blazer are just a bit much less cozy, however they nonetheless include each heating and cooling, which is one thing you may’t get on the Mannequin Y (it solely has heated entrance seats).
The construct high quality is spectacular, in accordance with the video embedded on the high of this web page. It’s significantly better than Tesla’s crossover, which squeaks and rattles over uneven roads, as is the journey high quality. In some way, Chevrolet appears to have discovered the candy spot when it comes to consolation and agility, making for a really stress-free journey within the new Blazer EV.
Tech-wise, Chevy’s new zero-emissions crossover impresses with an enormous infotainment display that’s responsive and has nice distinction and graphics. It’s even greater than the middle display within the Mannequin Y, which is one thing you don’t get to say fairly often.
Nevertheless, similar to the Tesla EV, the Blazer EV doesn’t have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which doesn’t make a lot sense for the top person. Positive, you get native Google Maps and the official Google app retailer within the Chevy, however it might have been good to have the choice of CarPlay and Android Auto.
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In terms of the driving vary, the Blazer EV impressed with a better-than-advertised determine. In accordance with the EPA estimate, Chevy’s battery-powered crossover (in RS AWD trim) can go as much as 279 miles on a full cost, however in Edmunds’ testing, it was noticed that it may drive as much as 320 miles on a single cost.
By comparability, the Tesla Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary has an EPA-estimated vary of 326 miles, nevertheless it underperformed throughout testing and achieved a spread of 317 miles. On the similar time, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is rated at 256 miles, however the outlet noticed 270 miles of vary throughout testing.
The most important downside of the brand new Chevy Blazer EV, nevertheless, is its worth. With the bottom $45,000 1LT trim banished from existence, the most cost effective model that’s out there now begins at $56,715. That’s over $10,000 dearer than the entry-level Ford Mustang Mach-E and about $7,000 greater than probably the most inexpensive Tesla Mannequin Y.
In reality, the extra upscale Cadillac Lyriq, which rides on the identical Ultium platform and makes use of the identical Ultium batteries because the Blazer EV is simply $3,000 dearer than the Chevy. You additionally get extra energy from the Cadillac: 340 horsepower on the rear-wheel drive model of the Lyriq in comparison with the 288 hp of the all-wheel drive Blazer EV.
With all this in thoughts, what would you get? Tell us within the feedback beneath.