Chevrolet Blazer EV: stylish electric SUV set for 2023 USA launch, Australian release unlikely

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The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV has been revealed as the newest electric vehicle offering from General Motors’ American volume brand.

An all-electric midsize SUV, the Blazer replaces a combustion crossover that took on the nameplate of a rugged pick-up previously sold in the Americas.

Promising over 500km of range and giving customers the unusual power to specify rear-wheel drive (RWD), front-wheel drive (FWD), or dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), the Blazer is intended to become a Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6 rival on release.

There will be four variants: 1LT, 2LT, RS and Chevrolet’s first performance-badged variant, the SS. Also in the range will be a special pursuit vehicle for police fleet operations. 

The Blazer sits on GM’s Ultium battery platform that is also found in the Hummer H1T, the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. 

The Blazer will go on sale initially during around June or July 2023 for the 2LT and RS models, with the SS flagship to follow later in 2023. 

The Blazer will start from US$47,595 before on-roads (AUD$70,000 at the time of writing in July 2022), with the sporty SS variant to be priced from $65,995 (AUD$97,000).

The Chevrolet Blazer has not been confirmed for Australia and is unlikely to be available here. Australia will be more likely to be the recipient of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric C8 Corvette Stingray. 

Chasing Cars has made enquiries about whether the electric Blazer could be sold in Australia by General Motors Special Vehicles (GMSV) and we’ll update the story if we receive word.

The Blazer SS: Chevrolet’s first electric performance vehicle 

The most potent of the Blazer variants will be the SS, a high-performance variant that will produce up to 415kW of power and 878Nm of torque thanks to a dual-motor setup. 

Maximum power is possible through a mode called WOW (standing for ‘wide open watts’). Selecting WOW allows the Blazer SS to be launched from 0-100km/h in under four seconds, Chevrolet claims. Battery range for this high-performance variant will be approximately 466km. 

Other features on the SS variant include 22-inch wheels, front Brembo brake package with a sport tuned suspension setup and interior highlights including a head-up display and wide-angle camera mirror. 

The Chevrolet Blazer EV range in detail

The Blazer range opens with the 1LT that includes standard features such as 19-inch wheels, LED lighting, a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, an 11-inch driver cluster and is only available in front-wheel drive. Range for this variant is 397km. 

Stepping up to the 2LT variant, buyers will receive a larger 470km range, 19-inch wheels and the option of either front wheel drive or all-wheel drive as an option. 

The next variant is the RS which includes larger 21-inch wheels, full LED lighting including a centre light bar and illuminated ‘bowtie’, a power tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. Front-wheel or rear-wheel drive are standard, with all-wheel drive being an option. The RS also has the longest range of 514km.

Finally, the flagship Blazer SS features all the features of the RS plus an electric range of 467km, massive 22-inch wheels, heated rear seats and standard all-wheel drive.

All variants of the Blazer are capable of 190kW high-speed DC charging and 11.5kW AC charging. 

Key highlights of the Blazer

Some interesting features on the Blazer range include power-opening charge port door and navigation tailored to finding charge stations nearby. 

Regenerative braking including one-pedal drive mode, hands-free tailgate and the available option of super cruise, GM’s version of self-driving functionality are also available for the new Blazer. 

Also included is a large 17.7-inch touchscreen, full LED exterior lighting with choreographed walk-up and walk-away animations and advanced safety features including rear cross-traffic braking and advanced park assist. 

Other features available in the interior of the Blazer include a two-row layout with flat floor due to packaging of Ultium batteries, ambient lighting, unique RS and SS design cues such as interior stitching and suede surfaces. 

The new Blazer EV will be manufactured and assembled in GM’s Mexico plant, the same facility that produces the current Blazer SUV.