After six months and 1,200 miles with the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV LT AWD, it’s time for an honest assessment. My journey, including a road trip to Bryce Canyon National Park, revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of this electric SUV. While the Blazer EV offers a compelling blend of practicality and value in the EV market, it’s not without its quirks and areas for improvement.
My initial road trip to Bryce Canyon perfectly encapsulates the Blazer EV ownership experience. En route to Rainbow Viewpoint, the highest overlook in the park, the predicted range dropped faster than expected as the temperature dipped below freezing. An overly cautious range estimation prompted a premature turnaround, preventing us from reaching our destination despite ultimately arriving at the hotel with 18% battery remaining. This experience, a mix of relief and frustration, became a recurring theme throughout my time with the Blazer EV. The conservative range prediction is reassuring but can also be limiting and annoying. This sums up the duality of owning the Chevy Blazer EV so far – dependable yet occasionally exasperating.
Despite missing out on some of Bryce Canyon’s beauty, the trip wasn’t a complete loss. We still enjoyed hiking and exploring the canyon’s stunning landscapes, offering a reminder of the adventures the Blazer EV is capable of facilitating, even if range anxiety sometimes looms.
The High Points of the Chevy Blazer EV
Everyday driving in the Blazer EV is genuinely enjoyable. My LT AWD model, equipped with launch edition features equivalent to today’s 2LT trim, is a remarkably refined and quiet vehicle. The integrated software is a standout feature, enhancing the overall driving experience.
Space is another significant advantage. The 1,200-mile road trip from San Diego to Utah involved packing a substantial amount of gear – camping equipment, coolers, tables, chairs, and luggage. The Blazer EV swallowed it all with ease. We even slept comfortably in the back, which comfortably accommodated two adults under 5’7″. The generous cargo space and passenger room make the Blazer EV a truly practical SUV.
2024 Chevy Blazer EV LT in Radiant Red
The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV LT, shown in Radiant Red, boasts a spacious interior and cargo area, perfect for road trips and everyday needs.
The infotainment system, powered by Google Maps, is seamless and intuitive. The built-in Google Maps eliminates the need for phone-based navigation systems like Apple CarPlay, which is a welcome change. The reliability of the connection and the freedom to leave my phone behind for short trips are significant conveniences. Being able to access Spotify and navigation without my phone is a small but appreciated detail of daily life with the Chevy Blazer EV.
Ground clearance is another unexpected benefit. With 7.9 inches of clearance, the Blazer EV stands taller than many mainstream electric SUVs. It surpasses competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, which offer a more car-like 6.1 inches. Even Jeep’s first electric SUV offering has less clearance. This elevated ride height, coupled with the ample cargo and passenger space, positions the Chevy Blazer EV as the leading electric vehicle for those seeking off-road capability for camping and hiking trips with passengers. While not a dedicated off-roader, the ground clearance provides confidence on varied terrains.
Chevy Blazer EV Long term owner review
The Chevy Blazer EV’s impressive ground clearance allows for confident handling on unpaved roads and enhances its SUV versatility.
For those requiring even greater off-road prowess, options like Rivian, electric G-Wagen, or electric pickups exist, but at a significantly higher price point. The Blazer EV strikes a balance between capability and affordability.
Acceptable Aspects of the Blazer EV
The EPA-estimated range of 279 miles for my AWD Blazer EV LT is adequate for its class, but range remains a consideration for longer journeys.
In real-world driving, especially on road trips, the usable range is effectively reduced. The Blazer EV’s conservative range prediction software consistently aims for a 10% battery buffer upon arrival at charging stops, resulting in arriving with closer to 20% in practice. Combined with slower charging speeds and reduced charging rates above 80%, I typically utilized only about 60% of the battery capacity between charges. This translated to approximately 160-180 miles of range between charging stops, with each stop averaging around 35 minutes.
While the range is comparable to AWD Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 models, and a higher-range RWD version is available, the experience highlights the desirability of a 350-mile EPA range for frequent road trippers. However, for everyday use and less frequent long trips, the range proves acceptable. The increased frequency of stops on longer trips, while adding time, surprisingly resulted in feeling more refreshed upon reaching Utah compared to enduring longer, non-stop drives.
Chevy Blazer EV Long term owner review
Charging infrastructure can be a bottleneck, as illustrated by this wait at a busy charging station, highlighting the ongoing development of EV charging networks.
The driving dynamics are adequate but not exhilarating. The Blazer EV is a substantial crossover, prioritizing comfort over sporty handling. While the 288-horsepower powertrain and 333 lb-ft of torque provide ample initial acceleration for daily driving, the 5,300-lb weight becomes noticeable at higher speeds. Handling is competent for its size, surpassing vehicles like Toyota RAV4 or Ford Escape, but it’s not designed for spirited driving. It’s a comfortable cruiser rather than a performance machine.
Similarly, the sound system and seats are adequate but not exceptional. The Blazer EV offers a quiet and comfortable ride, particularly on highways. However, the standard speakers and seats are not particularly noteworthy, leading to some envy towards Cadillac Lyriq owners with potentially upgraded interiors. While the seats were sufficient for the 1,200-mile trip, a more luxurious setup would be preferable for enhanced comfort.
Frustrations with the Chevy Blazer EV
The MyChevrolet smartphone app is a significant pain point. Loading the state of charge often takes an excessive amount of time, sometimes close to a minute, and remote start commands frequently fail. While workarounds like sending a lock command first or using the MyBuick app offer slight improvements, the app experience remains slow, unreliable, and significantly behind Tesla’s industry-leading app.
Using the MyChevrolet app to initiate Tesla Supercharging is also cumbersome. Despite GM’s integration of Tesla Superchargers into their charging network, the native Tesla app is far more reliable and user-friendly. The lack of automatic payment and charge initiation at Tesla Superchargers, features available in Rivian and Ford EVs, adds unnecessary friction to the charging process.
Furthermore, utilizing Tesla Superchargers as a non-Tesla EV owner can feel socially awkward. The charging cable length often necessitates parking across multiple stalls or on gravel to reach the charging port. This results in an inconvenient user experience, though this issue is inherent to the current charging infrastructure limitations and not solely GM’s fault. The issue stems from the Supercharger network being designed primarily for Tesla vehicles, leading to challenges for other EV makes.
2024 Chevy Blazer EV LT in Radiant Red
Improvised parking solutions are sometimes necessary when using Tesla Superchargers with non-Tesla EVs due to cable length and station layout incompatibilities.
The experience at newer V4 Supercharger stations with longer cables and more spacious layouts offers a glimpse into a more user-friendly future for universal EV charging. However, current charging times remain relatively long, with a 10-80% charge on a 350-kW charger taking approximately 40 minutes under ideal conditions.
Cold weather range is another area needing improvement. The Bryce Canyon trip highlighted the impact of cold temperatures on range. Despite starting with a 100% charge and planning for a 160-mile round trip, the cold weather and elevation gain significantly reduced efficiency. This experience underscores the need for greater range in cold climates, particularly for rural road trips.
Finally, quality control issues have been disappointing. A persistent rattle from the headliner, despite a replacement attempt, and a panoramic moonroof that frequently malfunctions requiring multiple attempts to close are ongoing concerns. These issues necessitate further dealer visits and detract from the overall ownership experience. The multiple service appointments required within the first six months are noteworthy and a cause for concern.
Chevy Blazer EV Long term owner review
The current adapter and parking process for non-Tesla EVs at Superchargers is far from ideal, highlighting the need for infrastructure improvements.
Overall Impression of the Chevy Blazer EV
Despite its shortcomings, I remain content with the Chevy Blazer EV, primarily due to its value proposition. The lease terms make it an affordable entry point into EV ownership, and for the price, the Blazer EV delivers a compelling package.
The road trip experience is not as seamless as a Tesla, requiring more planning and adaptation. Adapters, third-party route planners, and potential quality issues are part of the current EV ownership landscape with the Blazer EV. It’s not a perfect replacement for a traditional gas car in terms of effortless long-distance travel.
However, the Chevy Blazer EV offers a comfortable, stylish, and highly practical SUV at a competitive price. The learning curve associated with EV ownership is part of the appeal for early adopters and those curious about transitioning to electric vehicles. It’s an exploration into the realities of EV integration into daily life and a conscious step away from the established gas-car paradigm.
The Blazer EV also serves as a valuable learning experience for GM, highlighting areas for improvement in software, charging infrastructure access, and overall vehicle quality as they expand their EV offerings.
Despite the current challenges, the advantages of EV ownership, such as lower running costs, quieter and smoother operation, and advanced technology, are undeniable. The Chevy Blazer EV represents a significant step forward in making EVs more accessible and appealing. The current EV ownership experience, while imperfect, is still remarkably positive and filled with potential. It requires a degree of adaptability and a sense of adventure, but the journey is ultimately rewarding.
This is the most challenging the EV ownership experience will likely ever be, and it’s still a worthwhile and promising experience. It necessitates a bit of curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to improvise, making it an adventure that I am embracing.
