After six months and 1,200 miles with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer Ev LT AWD, it’s time for an honest assessment. This isn’t just a quick drive around the block; this is real-world EV ownership, road trips, and daily life. Like any vehicle, especially a first-year EV model, there are highs and lows. Let’s dive into what’s great, what’s just fine, and what, frankly, stinks about living with the Chevrolet Blazer EV.
The ‘Great’ Aspects of the Chevrolet Blazer EV
Everyday driving in the Chevrolet Blazer EV is genuinely enjoyable. My model, a 2024 LT AWD (comparable to today’s 2LT), came with some launch edition perks and has proven to be a remarkably quiet and refined vehicle, especially notable for its impressive software integration.
One of the standout features is its sheer size. Our 1,200-mile road trip from San Diego to Utah was a true test of its cargo capacity. Packed to the brim with camping equipment, coolers, tables, chairs, and luggage, the Blazer EV swallowed it all with ease. We even slept comfortably in the back – a testament to its spaciousness, even for adults under 5’7″. For families or anyone needing cargo space, the Chevrolet Blazer EV delivers.
2024 Chevy Blazer EV LT in Radiant Red
The integrated software, featuring Google Maps, is a game-changer. Forgetting about Apple CarPlay connection issues is a welcome relief. The seamless integration means you can leave your phone behind for quick errands and still have full access to navigation and entertainment apps like Spotify. This level of built-in tech feels genuinely modern and user-friendly, a significant step up from older in-car systems.
Ground clearance is another unexpected win. With 7.9 inches of clearance, the Chevrolet Blazer EV sits higher than many mainstream electric SUVs. Compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 with their car-like 6.1 inches, or even Jeep’s first EV SUV at a disappointing 6.4 inches, the Blazer EV offers a notable advantage. Only the Kia EV9 comes close in this category. This ground clearance, combined with the generous cargo area and spacious back seats, makes the Chevrolet Blazer EV an ideal electric vehicle for those who enjoy outdoor activities like camping and hiking, especially on less-than-perfect roads. If you need even more capability, you’d have to jump to significantly pricier options like a Rivian or an electric G-Wagen.
Chevy Blazer EV Long term owner review
The high driving position and ample visibility, even when fully loaded, contribute to a confident and comfortable driving experience. The Chevrolet Blazer EV manages to blend SUV practicality with EV efficiency, making it a compelling option in the electric SUV market.
The ‘Just Fine’ Aspects of the Chevrolet Blazer EV
The EPA-estimated range of 279 miles for my Chevrolet Blazer EV LT AWD is, in a word, acceptable. It’s competitive within the class, but it does present some considerations for longer journeys.
Real-world EV road tripping means rarely depleting the battery to zero or charging to 100% regularly. The Blazer EV‘s range prediction software is notably conservative, aiming for a 10% arrival buffer at charging stops. In practice, this often meant arriving at chargers with around 20% battery remaining. Given that charging speeds decrease significantly above 80%, usable battery capacity for each leg of the trip effectively became about 60%. This translated to roughly 160-180 miles between charging stops, with charging sessions averaging around 35 minutes.
While the range is comparable to AWD versions of the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5, and a higher-range, rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet Blazer EV variant is available, frequent road trippers might ideally want closer to 350 miles of EPA range for greater convenience. However, it’s worth noting that most drivers undertake fewer road trips than they anticipate, and the more frequent stops on EV road trips can actually lead to less driver fatigue compared to enduring long, uninterrupted drives.
Chevy Blazer EV Long term owner review
Driving dynamics of the Chevrolet Blazer EV fall into the “just fine” category. It’s a substantial, heavy crossover, and while it handles daily driving adequately, it’s not designed for thrilling performance. The 288-horsepower powertrain with 333 lb-ft of instant torque provides ample initial acceleration for everyday use. However, its 5,300-lb weight becomes apparent when pushed harder, with performance tapering off at higher speeds. Handling is competent for its size, better than a Toyota RAV4 or Ford Escape, but it won’t excite driving enthusiasts. It’s a comfortable and capable cruiser, not a sporty SUV.
The sound system and seats are similarly adequate. The Blazer EV is quiet and rides smoothly on highways, but the standard speakers and seats are unremarkable. While perfectly acceptable for a 1,200-mile trip, they lack the premium feel found in vehicles like the Cadillac Lyriq. A speaker upgrade might be considered for audiophiles seeking a richer sound experience, and those prioritizing ultimate comfort might desire plusher seating.
The ‘Stinky’ Aspects of the Chevrolet Blazer EV
Unfortunately, the MyChevrolet smartphone app is a significant pain point. Checking the state of charge often takes an agonizingly long time – close to a minute – and remote start commands frequently fail. While workarounds like sending a lock command first to “wake up” the vehicle or using the MyBuick app (surprisingly more reliable) have been suggested by online communities, the overall app experience is slow, clunky, and feels outdated compared to the seamlessness of Tesla’s app.
Charging at Tesla Superchargers, while possible via the GM app, is far from ideal. Despite GM enabling Supercharger access, the native Tesla app is vastly superior in consistency and user-friendliness. The lack of automatic payment and charge initiation at Tesla Superchargers in GM EVs, features that Rivian and Ford offer, adds unnecessary friction to the charging process.
Furthermore, utilizing Tesla Superchargers as a non-Tesla EV owner can feel awkward. Parking across multiple stalls or having to maneuver awkwardly to reach the charger with the relatively short cable is common. This is less a fault of GM and more a consequence of the Supercharger network being designed primarily for Tesla vehicles with charging ports in specific locations. However, it highlights the current fragmented and sometimes frustrating state of public EV charging infrastructure. Newer V4 Supercharger stations with longer cables and better accessibility offer a glimpse of a more user-friendly future, but widespread adoption is still needed.
Chevy Blazer EV Long term owner review
Charging times are also on the longer side. Even on a 350-kW fast charger, a 10-80% charge can take 40 minutes under optimal conditions. This becomes even more noticeable in cold weather, where range is further impacted. Our Bryce Canyon experience highlighted this issue. A 160-mile round trip in near-freezing temperatures and elevation gains significantly reduced efficiency, demonstrating that for cold-weather road trips, a greater buffer of range is highly desirable.
Finally, quality control issues are a concern. Persistent rattles from the headliner, even after a replacement, and a panoramic moonroof that frequently malfunctions, requiring multiple attempts to close, point to potential build quality shortcomings. These issues necessitate dealer service visits, adding inconvenience to ownership. Having already required three service appointments within the first six months is noteworthy and something potential buyers should be aware of.
Chevy Blazer EV Long term owner review
The officially recommended procedure for using Tesla Superchargers – parking awkwardly and potentially inconveniencing other users – is a testament to the current challenges in EV charging infrastructure interoperability.
My Take on the Chevrolet Blazer EV So Far
Despite these drawbacks, I remain largely satisfied with the Chevrolet Blazer EV. The key factor is value. The lease deal makes it an incredibly affordable way to experience EV ownership.
The road trip experience isn’t seamless and requires more planning than a comparable gasoline car or a Tesla. Adapters, third-party route planners, and potential quality quirks are part of the current EV ownership landscape. It’s not a perfect, effortless transition from gasoline vehicles.
However, what the Chevrolet Blazer EV offers is a comfortable, stylish, and remarkably practical SUV at a compelling price point. There’s a learning curve involved in EV ownership, and the Chevrolet Blazer EV is a vehicle that encourages that learning process. It reveals both the advantages and the current limitations of EV technology.
It’s also a clear indicator that GM is making strides in the EV market but still has areas for improvement – particularly in software, charging infrastructure integration, and overall quality control.
But the core strengths are undeniable. The Chevrolet Blazer EV is cheaper to run, quieter, smoother, and technologically more advanced than many comparable gasoline SUVs. The built-in technology feels genuinely modern, and the overall experience is optimistic. This generation of EVs, while not without its challenges, represents a significant step forward. It demands a bit of curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to improvise, but the rewards – a more sustainable, efficient, and often more enjoyable driving experience – are there. It’s an evolving adventure, and the Chevrolet Blazer EV is a solid vehicle for navigating it.
