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As the Chevrolet Blazer EV RS began arriving at U.S. dealerships towards the end of summer, it’s gradually becoming a common sight at Chevy locations across the country. Meanwhile, from here at the 2023 LA Auto Show, I’m ready to offer enthusiasts and potential buyers an in-depth look at this SUV, both inside and out. Here’s my take on the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS AWD.
Design
As I approach the Chevrolet Blazer EV RS, I notice a blend of traditional SUV shape and unique design aspects and proportions, made possible by the Ultium EV architecture. The five-seat EV carries a low and wide stance, with its tight, converging body lines accentuating the muscular, athletic profile. The vehicle gets adequate ground clearance for broken roads but is by no means off-road-ready.
The Blazer EV RS’s black front grille, logos, and roof bars, illuminated front light bar, semi-black ORVM housing, and 21-inch wheels, contribute to an aggressive style, setting it apart from the regular Blazer EV LT. The exclusive details of the RS variant effortlessly catch the eye, showcasing the Blazer’s design diversity within the same muscular frame.
Interior
The Chevrolet Blazer EV features a contemporary SUV interior that avoids the cliché of minimalism, instead focusing on the driver’s needs, with ample equipment and good ergonomics. The design, materials (including the hard plastics) and colors of the dashboard echoes the vehicle’s muscular exterior, aligning well with the athletic yet practical form of the SUV.
The compact, flat-bottomed steering wheel of the Chevrolet Blazer EV RS is easy to reach and feels quite solid to hold. As for the ingress and egress, as a six-foot tall person, I have no troubles. The turbine-inspired sculpted AC vents look quite sporty and are easy to locate and adjust while driving. Along with the three central AC vents, a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a slim climate control panel between them are tilted towards the driver for easier access.
The infotainment system is comprehensive, packing lots of comfort, convenience, and safety features. The software is easy to use, and the system is responsive. Unfortunately, there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support in the infotainment system. Therefore, customers need to consider the availability of built-in and downloadable apps and their ease of usage as well when test driving the vehicle.
The center console of the Blazer EV offers two deep storage spaces, one secured with a sliding cover and the other with an armrest, two cupholders, and a wireless charging pad. The front storage space includes two USB-C ports, while the rear storage space has one USB-C port and one 12-volt power outlet.
As the Blazer EV rides on a dedicated EV platform, it has a long wheelbase and a flat floor. It gives occupants plenty of space and great comfort, and six-footer, I found the cabin to be spacious from the driver seat. The low height of the EV obviously raises the question if there’s enough headroom, and I can reveal from my experience that I did not feel cramped or claustrophobic in the front seat. The seat offers 8-way power adjustment with 2-way power lumbar support, and it feels well built. The Evotex artificial upholstery GM has used for the seats works for both form and function.
The rear of the cabin is also comfortable, as GM didn’t try squeezing in a third row, but not everything is perfect. While the knee room is ample, taller passengers (over 6-feet tall) may feel that headroom is tight. When I took the back seat at the 2023 LA Auto Show, I felt that I could do with a bit more space above my head when I rest back on the seat tether. Passengers occupying the outboard rear seats will appreciate the use of heated cushions.
As for luggage space, folding down the rear seats offers a generous 59.2 cu. ft. of cargo volume. Interesting it’s lesser than that of the gas-powered 2023 Blazer (64.2 cu. ft.), and that comes down to the lower, sporty roofline.
Specifications
The Chevrolet Blazer EV RS is available in single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD variants. The former has a 102 kWh battery pack that be charged at up to 11.5 kW (AC)/190 kW (DC) and the latter has an 85 kWh battery pack that can be charged at up to 11.5 kW (AC)/150 kW (DC).
The EPA-est. range of the Blazer EV RS AWD is 279 miles, with the official energy consumption rated at 35 kWh/100 mi. The Blazer EV RWD’s official range and energy consumption figures aren’t out yet, although GM has stated that it expects the former to be 320 miles.
All in all, it seems GM plans to offer the Blazer EV such that it’s suitable for everyone, be it customers focusing on affordability, efficiency, straight-line acceleration, or driving pleasure. However, as we’ve seen with other Ultium EVs, if production ramp up isn’t rapid, further variants could arrive in their own sweet time.
Price & Release date
The Chevrolet Blazer EV RS AWD is already at U.S. dealerships, available in the RS AWD configuration for USD 60,215. The Chevrolet Blazer EV RS RWD is scheduled to go on sale in Fall 2023.
Chevrolet Blazer EV RS FAQs
What is the Chevrolet Blazer EV RS release date?
The Chevrolet Blazer EV RS is now available at U.S. dealers.
What is the Chevrolet Blazer EV RS price?
The Chevrolet Blazer EV RS starts at USD 60,215.
Which EVs are the Blazer EV RS’s rivals?
The Blazer EV RS competes with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the upcoming Honda Prologue, and the Tesla Model Y.
An automobile engineer by qualification, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005 and reviewed electric vehicles since 2008. In my 15 years in the online automotive publishing, I’ve edited around 35,000 articles.
