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The electrical SUV must be the candy spot for the EV revolution in America, the place SUVs and pickup vehicles account for almost all of recent automobile gross sales. That is the place the battle for the hearts and minds of shoppers is being fought. Automotive and Driver lately did a head-to-head comparability between the Chevy Blazer EV and the Volkswagen ID.4, each of that are manufactured within the US. Individually, Tom’s Information reviewed the all new Honda Prologue SUV.
The opinions centered on all the standard stuff — rear seat leg room, carrying capability, battery dimension — however Automotive and Driver additionally did electrical automobile followers a favor by specializing in effectivity, vary, and charging velocity. My spouse and I lately accomplished a jaunt by means of the Inexperienced Mountains of Vermont, the place charging velocity was one of many main issues throughout that journey.
Automotive and Driver examined the ID.4 Professional S and the Chevy Blazer LT and mentioned each of them have been “aimed proper down the middle of Essential Avenue, U.S.A.” The EPA rated the ID.4 at 102 MPGe, whereas the Blazer has a 96 MPGe score. In testing, the Chevy returned 103 MPGe to the Volkswagen’s 117. The Equinox did squeeze out 260 miles within the 75 mph freeway check, whereas the ID.4 trailed at 240 miles. That’s due principally to completely different battery sizes. The ID.4 has a 77 kWh battery, whereas the Blazer has an 85 kWh pack. Chevy says the Equinox can fast-charge at as much as 150 kilowatts, whereas VW claims the ID.4 can take 175 kilowatts. AC charging is mainly a wash, with the Chevy’s 11.5 kW functionality edging out the ID.4’s 11.0 kW by a hair.
However out on the superslab the place charging time is a vital metric, the Volkswagen was the clear winner. On a 350 kW quick charger with the battery going from 10 to 90 p.c, the Equinox EV began at 150 kilowatts, peaked at 158, and averaged 94 kilowatts over the cost. Beneath the identical circumstances, the ID.4 began at 171 kilowatts, peaked at 186, and averaged 109 kilowatts. Charging to 90 p.c required 51 minutes within the Equinox and 37 minutes within the ID.4. That’s a substantial hole, Automotive and Driver notes, however every automaker has its personal charging technique that takes into consideration components similar to preserving battery life. Two extra unofficial charging periods at 350 kW chargers in Ohio and Indiana confirmed the findings. Each time, the ID.4 completed first, whatever the climate or the tools. That could be an necessary consideration for individuals who anticipate to take street journeys with their electrical SUV.
Efficiency-wise, the Volkswagen, with 335 horsepower, touches 60 mph from relaxation in 4.8 seconds and does the quarter mile in 13.5 seconds. The Blazer EV makes do with 288 horsepower. With extra weight and fewer grunt, it’s a second behind the ID.4 to 60 mph and within the quarter mile. Neither determine is a priority for many drivers. Many people keep in mind a time when any automobile that obtained to 60 in beneath 10 seconds was thought-about fast. Automobiles that may do it in half that point are a delight regardless of who makes them.
Automotive and Driver spends a whole lot of time evaluating the touchscreens, trip high quality, and such. Suffice to say, each automobile has its personal character and customers will wish to drive every of them earlier than making a choice. The Blazer obtained demerits for wallowing within the dealing with division, whereas the ID.4 obtained dinged for a mushy brake pedal. Each automobiles obtained downrated for digital points. Electrical automobiles from Volkswagen are well-known for glitchy electronics, whereas GM has determined to make Apple Automotive Play and Android Auto unavailable in its newest choices. The ID.4 has more room for stuff behind the rear seat than the Blazer, however the Blazer has GM’s Tremendous Cruise as an possibility — a step up from the driving force help options within the ID.4
Pricewise, the ID.4 Professional S electrical SUV lists for $55,300 whereas the Blazer LT prices $50,795. Bear in mind the Professional S is the highest spec for the Volkswagen. The upmarket Blazer EV RS begins are $52,900. The 2024 ID.4 is claimed to be eligible for the complete federal EV tax incentive of $7,500 however you may wish to confirm that before you purchase. Some earlier variations weren’t. The Blazer EV can also be eligible or the complete tax credit score. Burger King or McDonald’s? Coke or Pepsi? Both the Volkswagen ID.4 or the Chevy Blazer EV is an effective alternative if you’re in search of an electrical SUV to place in your driveway.
Driving The Honda Prologue Electrical SUV
Writing for Tom’s Information, John Velasco says the Honda Prologue electrical SUV is “probably the most underrated electrical car I’ve examined this 12 months.” For many who don’t know, the Honda is constructed on the GM manufacturing facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Due to this fact, there are specific features of it which might be practically equivalent to the Blazer EV, each of that are constructed on the identical Ultium platform developed by GM. As an example, it had the identical 288 horsepower score because the Blazer EV, the identical 85 kWh battery, and roughly the identical vary — 273 miles.
That being mentioned, Velasco praised the Prologue for its styling, which is typical of Honda — clean, refined, and polished. The variations are additionally on the within, which options the identical consideration to element that SUVs from Honda just like the Passport and Pilot are recognized for. The Prologue begins at $57,900 and, just like the Blazer EV, it’s eligible for the complete federal tax credit score.
The Honda Prologue’s effectivity obtained higher the extra he drove it, Velasco says, reaching 3.4 mi/kWh by the top. In comparison with the Lyriq and Blazer EV, which obtained 2.7 mi/kWh and three.2 mi/kWh respectively, the Prologue simply surpassed them, though it has the identical 85 kWh battery because the Blazer EV. The distinction, apparently, is that the Honda had considerably higher aerodynamic effectivity than the Blazer. We presume charging the Prologue is sort of just like the charging efficiency of the Blazer EV as effectively, since they’re basically the identical automobile beneath the pores and skin.
Velasco lauded the digital head-up show within the Prologue, saying it “is certainly greater than most different head-up shows I’ve seen, which turns out to be useful whereas driving as a result of it exhibits my velocity and navigation directions. Because it’s additionally sharp wanting, I by no means have any bother making out the head-up show. That mentioned, it might find yourself being a tad bit distracting when you set its brightness too excessive at evening. Nonetheless, it’s extremely helpful getting all of my necessary driving particulars with out wanting right down to both of the EV’s shows.” In a world the place the variations between numerous automobiles are fairly small, that one function may very well be the one which prompts an electrical SUV purchaser to decide on the Honda Prologue over the competitors.
Velasco additionally praised the big sunroof within the Prologue, which extends backwards in order that rear seat passengers can even take pleasure in contemporary air. What gained’t please many potential customers is that the Prologue affords adaptive cruise management however no lane centering, which is curious as a result of most of it GM cousins do provide that function. Velasco additionally slammed the operation and dimension of the central touchscreen. “Every little thing in regards to the software program feels dated. I assumed the Toyota bZ4X was unhealthy on this space, however the Prologue comes shut,” he wrote.
The Takeaway
The electrical SUV market is the place the EV revolution in America shall be gained or misplaced. Listed here are three candidates, every with their strengths and weaknesses. All are related in worth and all are eligible for the federal tax credit score which, turned a point-of-purchase rebate when you lease firstly of 2024. There’s not one automobile made at this time that ticks all of the bins for each driver. Automotive and Driver mentioned they like the ID.4 over the Blazer EV, primarily as a result of it expenses sooner on journeys. However the Blazer EV has considerably extra adventurous styling, which can attraction to some. The Prologue, however, seems to be so mainstream that most individuals gained’t know it’s an electrical SUV when you don’t inform them. That in itself could attraction to some consumers.
From our aerie excessive atop Mount Olympus, the employees at CleanTechnica recommends you pattern all of the fashions out there in your space, then select the one which places the largest grin in your face, as a result of there’s nothing fairly just like the trip and really feel of an electrical automobile. Oh, certain, there are some who gained’t like every of them, however when you expertise the quiet trip, the plentiful torque, and the calmness of an electrical SUV, you’ll by no means wish to return to what you have been driving earlier than.
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