Chevy Blazer EV: Summer 2023 release for GM’s mid-size SUV [Update]

  • GM enters mass-market mid-size SUV segment with the Chevrolet Blazer EV
  • First model in the segment to be available in 3 drivetrain layouts
  • Includes the Blazer EV SS, the first Chevy electric SS, which does 0-60 in under 4 seconds
  • Prices start at USD 56,715 (incl. destination charges); deliveries to commence soon

Update: ‘Specifications & Features’ and ‘Price & Release Date’ sections updated.

GM unveiled the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV last year, and the midsize electric SUV will go on sale in the U.S. in a phased manner starting this summer. Here’s everything we know about it so far:

2024 Chevy Blazer EV Design

Front

The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV looks sleeker than the gas-powered SUV. It sits lower, featuring a sharply dropping roofline for a dynamic character. At the front, LED DRL bars that meet an illuminated Chevrolet logo cover the width of the SUV, the hood has a powerful bulge, and an A-shaped grille leaves a dominant impression.

Side

On the sides, the designers have created tension with curves and sculpting on the doors and quarter panels. Customers will appreciate the large rear quarter glass during long journeys. The SUV has a long wheelbase and short overhangs, hinting at a high level of space efficiency.

Rear

At the rear, the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV sits low and wide, which gives it a sporty stance. It features T-shaped wraparound tail lamps but doesn’t have a light strip connecting them, which makes it look quite normal. Narrow light bands between the tail lamps are becoming typical of EVs these days, but GM is not a fan of this feature. It hasn’t used this feature in any of its recent production EVs (Hummer EV twins, Silverado EV, or Lyriq) so far. A roof-integrated spoiler flows downward and wraps around the sides of the windshield.

Interior

The interior of the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV is quite contemporary, but it doesn’t go overboard with minimalism or digitalization. It has a regular-looking dashboard, a compact steering wheel with a flat bottom, sculpted, turbine-design AC vents, and a center console tilted toward the driver for easier access and reduced distraction.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS interior dashboard
The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV thankfully doesn’t go overboard with minimalism or digitalization, keeping things rather conventional in looks and simple to operate. Image Source: GM

Infotainment

The infotainment system includes a knob to offer physical volume control. Moreover, there are switches and knobs for most of the climate control system functions. At the core of the infotainment system is Ultifi, GM’s new Linux-based software platform, which supports over-the-air upgrades, gives personalization options, and cloud connectivity.

Controls

Thanks to a hands-free start system, all the driver needs to do to turn on the vehicle is just step in with the key fob and tap the brake. The gear selector is a steering stalk, which makes gear selection doesn’t need taking a hand off the steering wheel. The left-side steering stalk has a pass function built into it, but other headlight functions are controlled through the touchscreen of the infotainment system.

Seating and cargo

The 2024 Blazer EV is a strict five-seater with no option for third-row seats. Earlier, it was expected that GM could offer a 3-row 5+2 seater option; a 7-seat Blazer is currently exclusively offered in China. The huge panoramic sunroof consists of two panels.

The 2024 Blazer EV doesn’t have a frunk (front trunk), just a normal mid-size SUV cargo area behind the seats. According to a report CNN Business published on July 19, 2022, GM found it was better to use the space under the hood for the front motor and heavy electronics so that the cabin can be more spacious. Folding down the rear seats gives 59.2 cu. ft. of cargo volume, which is lesser than that of the gas-powered 2023 Blazer (64.2 cu. ft.), and that could be mainly because of the lower roofline.

Trims & Colors

Color\Trim1LT2LTRSSS
Summit WhiteYesYesYesNo
Summit White + BlackNoNoNoYes
BlackYesYesYesYes
Iridescent Pearl Tricoat*YesYesYesNo
Iridescent Pearl Tricoat + BlackNoNoNoYes
Sterling Gray MetallicYesYesYesNo
Sterling Gray Metallic + BlackNoNoNoYes
Radiant Red Tintcoat*YesYesYesNo
Radiant Red Metallic + Black*NoNoNoYes
Red HotYesYesYesNo
Red Hot + BlackNoNoNoYes
Galaxy Gray MetallicYesYesYesNo
Galaxy Gray Metallic + BlackNoNoNoYes
Riptide Blue Metallic*YesYesYesNo
Riptide Blue Metallic + BlackNoNoNoYes
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV exterior colors (Source: GM) *Costs extra

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV is available to individual customers, as well as fleet and commercial customers. 1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS were the originally announced trim choices for individual customers. At launch, GM dropped 1LT, although it still lists that trim in the color options section of the model’s website. The company may launch it at a later stage, perhaps in the next model year.

Right from day one, GM has designed a pursuit-rated Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) version for police fleet applications as well. The company will introduce more versions for fleet and commercial buyers, including those for pharmaceutical and rental applications, at a later stage.

Color\Trim1LT2LTRSSS
BlackYesYesYesNo
Black with Grey AccentsYesYesNoNo
Black / Adrenaline RedNoNoYesNo
Adrenaline RedNoNoNoYes
Black and Medium Ash Gray with Argon Orange AccentsNoNoNoYes
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV interior colors (Source: GM)

Specifications & Features

Comes in FWD, RWD & AWD versions!

The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV is the brand’s first model underpinned by GM’s BEV3 platform. The new skateboard chassis is for passenger cars and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs), and it already underpins the Cadillac Lyriq.

While most SUVs, including electric SUVs, come in FWD/RWD or AWD, GM is offering the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV in all three drivetrain layouts. Apparently, GM is taking full advantage of its bespoke EV platform. The company announced the 1LT trim in FWD (standard), the 2LT trim in FWD (standard) and AWD (optional), the RS trim in FWD (standard), RWD (standard), and AWD (optional), and the SS trim in AWD (standard). As stated earlier, 1LT is no longer part of the launch program.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS front three quarter live image
The passenger version of the Chevy Blazer EV has been launched in 1LT, 2LT, RS (pictured), and SS trims. Image Source: GM

All the trims have a unique character. The 1LT and 2LT trims have a monochromatic appearance and 19-inch wheels. The RS trim has a sportier styling with a black grille, black accents on some parts, and 21-inch wheels. It flaunts a full light bar and illuminated Bowtie emblem with animated lighting sequences that activate when the driver approaches the SUV or walks away. The unique styling continues inside with blue and red contrasting stitching.

The Blazer EV delivers an EPA-est. range of 279 miles in the 2LT AWD and RS AWD configurations. A certification summary report from EPA suggests these configurations use a 100 kWh battery pack and a 295 hp twin-motor powertrain consisting of a 180 kW/305 Nm PMSM (front) and a 67 kW/164 Nm ASM (rear).

The EPA-est. range figures and many other main specifications of other configurations aren’t out yet. An 11.5 kW onboard AC charger is standard in the passenger version. The RS and SS trim allow DC fast-charging at up to 190 kW.

Chevrolet Blazer EV SS

The 2024 Blazer EV is the first all-electric Chevrolet available in an SS performance trim (featured image). First used for a Corvette prototype race car in 1957, SS has had a long history with performance models at Chevrolet. Short for Super Sport, the special designation could assist Chevrolet to market its EVs as engaging, driver-focused models. The brand with the Golden Bowtie has had EVs in its line-up for years, but none have induced excitement among performance enthusiasts. That’s changing beginning with the Blazer EV, which rivals the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, Tesla Model Y Performance, and Kia EV6 GT.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV charging port
The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV has an illuminated charging port with an electronically operating flap on the driver-side fender. Image Source: GM

The SS trim looks the most exciting, thanks to an exclusive grille design, sportier bumpers, 22-inch six-double-spoke wheels, SS badges, and a two-tone color scheme featuring a black roof. Inside, the top-end trim sets itself apart with sueded microfiber seating.

The Blazer EV SS sports two motors that produce 557 horsepower and up to 648 lb.-ft. of torque. An exclusive WOW (Wide Open Watts) mode allows accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds. Do note that these performance figures are GM estimates. GM has used high-performance brakes sourced from Brembo at the front for better-stopping power in the SS trim.

Blazer EV 1LTBlazer EV 2LTBlazer EV RSBlazer EV SS
FWDFWD (standard)/AWD (optional)FWD (standard)/RWD (standard)/AWD (optional)AWD
EPA-est. Range TBD279-mile EPA-est. Range (AWD)279-mile EPA-est. range (AWD)EPA-est. Range TBD
11.5 on-board AC charger11.5 on-board AC charger11.5 on-board AC charger11.5 on-board AC charger
190 kW DC fast-charging support190 kW DC fast-charging support
19-inch wheels19-inch wheels21-inch wheels22-inch wheels
Full-LED lightingFull-LED lightingFull-LED lighting with center light bar and illuminated bowtieFull-LED lighting with center light bar and illuminated bowtie
Power, hands-free tailgatePower, hands-free tailgate
11.1-inch fully digital instrument cluster11.1-inch fully digital instrument cluster11.1-inch fully digital instrument cluster11.1-inch fully digital instrument cluster
17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Heated flat-bottom steering wheelHeated flat-bottom steering wheel
Heated & ventilated front seatsHeated & ventilated front seats
Heated rear outward seats
Chevy Blazer EV trims, specifications, and features (Source: GM)

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV will have systems to make driving easier and safer. Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam auto high beams will be part of the standard ADAS.

Super Cruise

By the end of 2023, 22 GM models, including the Chevy Blazer EV, will be available with Super Cruise. Customer feedback from existing users is very positive, as GM says that 85% of those who have used it have told it that they want it in their next vehicle. In the Blazer EV, the semi-autonomous driving system will be available in the 2LT, RS, and SS trims.

GM will keep adding the hands-free driver assistance technology to more models every year, ultimately making it available in the majority of its cars. It will keep improving Super Cruise with new features such as lane change, on-demand automatic lane change, or trailering. Super Cruise in the Blazer EV will work on 200,000 miles of compatible roads in the U.S. and Canada, and in the future, that network could increase to more than 400,000 miles.

Production

GM manufactures the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV alongside the gas-powered Blazer at the Ramos Arzipe plant in Mexico.

Price & Release Date

The Chevrolet Blazer EV has been dispatched from the factory and should start arriving at U.S. dealerships anytime now. Prices start at USD 56,715 (incl. destination charges), which has come quite as a shock to many customers. This makes it more expensive than the range-topping Tesla Model Y (Performance), which retails at USD 55,880 (incl. destination fee).

ConfigurationRelease DatePrice
Blazer EV 1LT FWDDelayed IndefinitelyTBD
Blazer EV 2LT FWDTBDTBD
Blazer EV 2LT AWDFall 2023USD 56,715
Blazer EV RS FWDTBDTBD
Blazer EV RS AWDSummer 2023USD 60,215
Blazer EV RS RWDFall 2023USD 61,790
Blazer EV SSSpring 2024TBD
Blazer EV PPVQ1 2024To Be Announced
Chevrolet Blazer EV prices and release dates (Source: GM)

Initially, GM aimed to price the Blazer EV 2LT trim at around $47,595. However, it’s unlikely the 2LT will reach that price, even in the upcoming FWD version. Delays due to technical issues and increased component costs often lead automakers, especially with premium models like the Blazer EV, to launch at higher prices than originally planned.

TopElectricSUV says

Ford leveraged the iconic Mustang nameplate to launch its first EV in the mid-size SUV segment. However, GM feels the brand strength of its current gas-powered midsizer (67,246 sales in the U.S. in 2022) will carry its EV through a crowding segment to success. Commanding a premium of over USD 21,000 over the gas-powered Blazer, it doesn’t come cheap!

2024 Chevy Blazer EV FAQs

What is the Chevy Blazer Electric release date?

The Chevy Blazer EV will go on sale in Summer 2023 in the 2LT & RS trims.

What are the rivals to the Blazer Electric?

VW ID.4, Nissan Ariya, Kia EV6, Toyota bZ4X, Subaru Solterra, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Tesla Model Y are rivals.

What is the Chevy Blazer EV price?

The Blazer EV’s prices start at USD 56,715 (incl. destination charges).

Featured Image: General Motors