I drove Chevy's $57,000 Blazer EV. It's stylish and practical but still too flawed to win me over.

Benjamin ZhangSep 25, 2024, 23:40 IST

A 2024 Blazer EV RS in Sterling Gray Metallic.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Chevrolet Blazer EV is a battery-electric midsize SUV built on GM's Ultium EV platform.</li><li>I was impressed by the Blazer EV's stylish looks, roomy cabin, smooth ride, and massive touchscreen.</li></ul>The <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chevy-blazer-chevrolet-electric-suv-price-range-ford-mustang-2022-7">2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV </a>was one of the most eagerly awaited electric vehicles to hit the market when it debuted in late 2023.Until recently, the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/general-motors-2-billion-build-cadillac-lyriq-spring-hill-tennessee-2020-10">General Motors EV</a> lineup had consisted primarily of luxury vehicles like the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cadillac-just-unveiled-its-lyriq-electric-car-2020-8">Cadillac Lyriq</a> and high-priced pickups like the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gmc-hummer-ev-electric-truck-review-silly-but-fun-2022-12">Hummer EV</a>.Now, GM finally has a viable midsize electric SUV for the average American family.The bulk of EV SUVs on sale these days are either compact offerings like the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-y">Tesla Model Y</a> and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-ford-mustang-mach-e-electric-vehicle-2020-12">Ford Mustang Mach-E</a> or larger luxury models like the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rivian-ugrades-r1-truck-suv-ev-more-power-range-speed-2024-6">Rivian R1S </a>and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mercedes-benz-eqs-suv-review-electric-tesla-rival-2023-2">Mercedes-Benz EQS</a>.As a result, the SUV — which is mechanically unrelated to the internal combustion Chevy crossover that shares its name — entered a surprisingly barren midsize electric SUV market with its closest competitor, the Honda Prologue.

I recently spent a week driving a 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS with AWD around metro Atlanta.

A 2024 Blazer EV RS in gray.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came out to $57,215.

The Blazer EV in gray.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With the Blazer EV, Chevy delivered a modern and attractive midsize crossover.

A gray 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV RV.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The front fascia is dominated by a large illuminated LED light bar that spans the width of the front end.

The Blazer EV's front fascia.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The tapered rear window line and prominent rear wheel arches help create an athletic look.

The Blazer EV boasts 7.9 inches of ground clearance.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My RS AWD test car came with these nifty-looking 21-inch machined aluminum and black-painted alloy wheels.

The Blazer's 21-inch alloy wheels.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Despite its muscle car looks, the Blazer EV is much bigger than Ford's Mustang Mach-E and isn't quite a direct competitor.

The passenger side of a 2024 Blazer EV RS.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Blazer EV is built on GM's new Ultium EV platform.

GM's Ultium EV platform configured for use in the Hummer EV.GM

Since it's an EV, there's no hulking motor under the hood.

There's no frunk under the hood.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My RS AWD test car had 288 horsepower under the hood.

The Blazer EV plugged into a charger.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Blazer delivers solid charging.

The Blazer EV's charging port.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Blazer EV is an easy-going cruiser with solid acceleration.

The Blazer EV's front seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Blazer's cabin is truly a mixed bag.

The centerpiece of the Blazer EV's cabin is the massive 17.7-inch LCD infotainment display. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

And then there's the read and black turbine look air vents.

The front passenger air vent.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I was also not a fan of the Blazer EV's unconventional start-up and shut-down procedure.

The Blazer EV's off button.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

One of my favorite parts of the system is a shortcuts menu at the top left corner of the screen.

The drag and drop menu on the Blazer EV's touchscreen.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Since it's a Google-based system, it comes with built-in Google Maps.

Google Maps on the Blazer EV's 17.7-inch touchscreen.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car's seats came upholstered in black suede and cloth with red accent piping.

The Blazer's front seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Blazer EV's steering wheel.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Also in front of the driver is an 11-inch digital instrument display.

Google Maps on the Blazer EV's 11-inch Driver Information Center.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My Blazer EV also came with an optional head-up display.

The Blazer EV's HUD.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The back seats are roomy, but the tapered roofline compromises rear visibility.

The Blazer EV RS AWD's rear seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Luckily, a rear vision camera helps when the rear window is obscured.

The Blazer EV's rear vision camera.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open up the hands-free power liftgate, and there's 25.5 cubic feet of cargo room.

The Blazer EV's cargo compartment.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Fold the rear bench seat down, and that cargo capacity expands to 59.1 cubic feet.

The Blazer EV with its back seats folded.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

There's an additional storage space under the rear cargo floor.

The Blazer EV's underfloor storage area.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Blazer EV comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist.

The Blazer EV RS with its flashers on.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My verdict: The Chevrolet Blazer EV is a roomy, attractively styled EV with good range but there are just too many flaws for me.

The Blazer EV's rear liftgate.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

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