When Chevrolet announced that they would electrify the Blazer, we were curious to see how the brand would tackle this challenge head-on. Subsequent teaser images of the Blazer revealed that a very futuristic overhaul was in store but not much else about what lurked underneath the skin. That changes today with the unveiling of the 2024 Blazer EV.
Blazer EV Reboots Sporty Intentions
The ICE-powered Blazer was clearly inspired by the Chevrolet Camaro but this time around, the EV version goes off in a clearly different direction. The front fascia is bolder than it’s ICE counterpart and it comes adorned with LED headlights which are unified in the middle by a long lightbar. The Blazer will be available in four different trims ( 1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS) with each trim adding more flair to the canvas until you reach the sporty SS model. These models also go wild with the colors with a two-tone combination available versus the monochromatic look that defines the LT models.
The LTs will also come with standard 19-inch wheels, while the RS and SS models wear bigger 21 and 22-inch hoop, respectively. RS and SS models will also get full LED lighting and when the Blazer is plugged in, the lights will serve as visual indicators of charge for the battery pack. It’s also worth noting that, unlike the Silverado EV, the Blazer EV’s basic profile remains similar to its ICE-powered counterpart, indicating that Chevrolet is leveraging familiarity and doesn’t want its customers to think that this is something too radically different.
Infotainment Wars Ramp Up With Massive Screen
Slip inside the Blazer EV, and it’s obvious that Chevy designers went all in on technology and aim to make that a core pillar of the Blazer EV experience. A massive 17.7-inch display is nestled into the center of the dashboard and runs diagonally from one end to the other. A separate 11-inch digital display is used for the instrument panel, and GM’s familiar Super Cruise technology is now optional making this Blazer one of the first in the brand to get the novel self-driving tech.
The rest of the cabin retains the Blazer’s focus on sportiness, with the air vents on the SS being reworked to resemble more intricate versions of the rounded vents that we not only see on the standard Blazer but also on the Chevrolet Camaro. Like the Volvo C40 Recharge, the Blazer EV does not come with a traditional start button and instead uses special sensors that pick up the digital key, and all the driver has to do is apply the brake to get it started up. RS and SS models go several steps further and add higher quality trim and a flat-bottomed steering wheel to project a sportier image. Chevrolet’s swath of photos didn’t focus too much on the second-row seats, but we hope that the EV will deliver better legroom and perhaps even add a pinch of headroom into the mix too.
Ultium Technology Blazes A Trail Of Performance
With all of these changes, it’s good to see that the Blazer EV is more than an SUV that’s merely wearing an inflatable muscle man suit. There’s a lot going on here, and Chevrolet is promising potent performance in select trims. While the brand chose to keep select pieces of information largely to itself, Chevy reps did confirm that the SS model will produce 557 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque. The Blazer EV will also borrow the Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode from the Silverado, and Chevy revealed that when the mode is engaged, it allows the SS to make the dash to 60 mph in four seconds. When it’s not doing that, the Blazer EV is also focused on range, with certain models getting up to 320 miles of range between charges.
The charging system has also been beefed up to provide maximum amounts of charging on Level 2 chargers, with the Blazer capable of supporting up to 11.5 kilowatts when plugged into the aforementioned charger or even a DC fast charger. Rear-wheel drive will be standard on base models, but GM revealed that it will also be offering optional all-wheel drive for those looking for more performance or all-season capability.
When Will We Be Able To Buy A Blazer EV?
The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV will begin production in the summer of 2023 with the Blazer 2LT and the RS models serving as the launch models. SS versions will arrive later in the year, and they will be followed by the Police Pursuit model and the 1LT. Pricing here will be reflective of the Blazer’s attempts to appeal to mainstream buyers with a base 1LT starting at $44,995. The 2LT raises that slightly to $47,595 while the RS crosses the $50,000 barrier and checks in at $51,995. SS versions start at $65,995, and that price tag will put them in the running with some of the world’s best luxury performance SUVs.
Chevrolet also revealed that it has opened up ordering for the 2024 Blazer EV but will release additional ordering details at a later date.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.