2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Early Review | Consumer Reports

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The 2024 Blazer EV is Chevrolet’s first fully-electric SUV. It’s easy to access, has a spacious cabin, and promises quick charge times and a 280-mile driving range. But, the Blazer EV doesn’t offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay and the infotainment system has some early bugs that need addressing.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

You would think a software update could be pushed out pretty quickly. No need to completely stop sales. There has to be a bigger issue, which is not confidence inspiring.

[@SirZeusor11]

that works for Tesla and Rivian, who do not outsource parts to hundreds of other suppliers. Ford CEO explained it well, he stated that to do an OTA on a mustang mach e or a lightning, the code to do so would have to be compiled by the suppliers and ford and any other part it touches or interacts with,. Imagine all the emails, calls, meetings to get a simple recall like a font change that happened recently to tesla, ...This is why Tesla can OTA, the software is all in house. Plus lets face it...EV's are pretty maintenance free by comparison.....how is ford and gm going to get you in to the service department to scam you out of wiper blades or cabin air filter changed at close to $200 a visit, minimum.

[@mdavid1955]

A mere $60,000..Uh, no thanks.

[@kaseyc5078]

Seriously you can get a rx350 for that price

[@normt430]

​@@kaseyc5078it won't be as quiet as the Blazer EV.

[@Digikidthevoiceofreason]

That’s in American Monopoly money. In Canadian dollars its $80,000.

[@bkanegson]

And does not qualify for the $7,500 tax credit. Hard pass. Does GM not understand that there are strong(er) competitors that do qualify?

[@rlg1976x]

Typical GM. They get some things brilliantly right while simultaneously getting other things horribly wrong.

[@patcanuck4356]

Not only GM. A lot of manufacturers rush out products before they're 100% ready

[@mononeo]

I have owned 2 Toyotas and 4 Lexus in a row, and honestly the Chevrolet Bolt EUV is put together better than every single one of the preceding vehicles and at half the price. It doesn't have squeaks and rattles, no buzzing--and I have 20,000 miles now. It's had fewer dealer repair visits than the Toyotas and Lexus vehicles I've owned as well. I now have full confidence in General Motors and would put them similar to Toyota/Lexus in my mind and above Ford and Honda.

[@michaels3003]

@@mononeo, no modern vehicle should have any squeaks and rattles.

[@fookie-fone]

Strange move to ditch CarPlay and Android Auto. I'm oddly dependent on these features since my settings and app placement on the home screens can "travel" with me from car to car. This seems to be the case with non-traditional automakers as well (aka Start Ups) like Lucid, Tesla, and Rivian. I understand avoiding the licensing agreements with Apple and Google on those features for the start up EV manufacturers, but GM continues to include CarPlay/AA in their current and future ICE vehicles. Additionally, I'd imagine they would have to license the Integrated Google Services for their EVs anyway. I wonder what the reasoning behind this was.

[@ChristopherBrunk]

The reasoning is a cash grab. If you can’t use your phone for basic tasks like navigation and music, they hope you’ll be forced to subscribe to OnStar to use all the Google Services pre-installed on the car and pay for in-car data from OnStar. They want to lock everyone that owns their Ultium vehicles into paying GM an extra $50 for basic features. It will backfire. People will either just buy from another manufacturer that IS using CarPlay/AA, or people who buy GM EVs will just use their phone on a mount connected to Bluetooth, which will contribute to more distracted driving. GM doesn’t care about customers, they care about squeezing every last dime out of every customer they can.

[@carljaekle]

I think you hit on it, licensing fees/agreements. In a BEV route planning is huge, so that is more of the focus.

[@rcsc824sc8]

It has google. The best system.

[@19coyote5oh9]

@rcsc824sc8 Um so is Android......

[@mitchmasterfix5292]

My guess is they want your data. All the things you would look up in Maps or ask SIRI, music you listen to etc. They want to have it, they want to sell it.

[@reed5658]

No Apple CarPlay in 2024? Disqualified.

[@mononeo]

I also agree with this. Signing into user profiles in cars is the worst.

[@Timbrock1000]

To borrow a line from Shark Tank, "For that reason, I'm out."

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

This is worse than reported here as reported by Motor Trend. They had one of these cars, and the "flashing screen" turns into an OS failure that paralyzes the car. Only a phone call to the car started it back up for another 10 minutes until it died again. The story ends with GM coming, taking the car back stopped on the highway, and giving them a gas car to get to their destination. A very terrible start for GM's EV ambitions.

[@CarShopping101]

After over 100 years of experience with ICE cars GM still can't make a reliable ICE so what makes you think their EVs will be any different?😂

[@avarria5872]

I have a Chevy Bolt EUV and love it. The only problem it has is very, very slow fast charging. It's not reasonable to take it on a road trip. That being said, I got it for $22k brand new, so I can't complain. I don't understand how GM can create the most affordable EV on the market that's reliable and then churn out this dumpster fire.

[@markfitzpatrick6692]

No the leaf is slower. But in 2017 that was normal outside Tesla .

[@mumwifeteacher]

The charge port door is massively over designed and will break.

[@Digikidthevoiceofreason]

Absolutely

[@ddellwo]

First thing I thought - “There’s a $1500 repair that pops up about two weeks after the warranty expires!”

[@Timbrock1000]

I'll bet it'll cost $1200 to fix.

[@anitaru2001]

and its ugly af

[@hereigoagain5050]

Alex is the rock star of CR! Hope GM debugs the software soon. I guess GM thought they could do software better than Apple and make tons of money from in-car purchases.

[@CarShopping101]

Car companies are hardware companies. Hardware companies are usually terrible at software.

[@M1911jln]

How in the world could that have gotten past their development QA process? Did GM even drive the car before they started sales?

[@toronado455]

Maybe it's just what they wanted. An excuse to stop selling it.

[@user-un9dg3zr2y]

I’m not an engineer but it’s obvious this is not a systematic failure or all cars would have been infected as they are all using the same software. The flickering screen suggests an electrical fault.

[@Digikidthevoiceofreason]

@@user-un9dg3zr2ycheck out the edmunds review and error list. The list is massive.

[@michaels3003]

Quality management, not QA for the development. For the production, this problem obviously did not happen when the vehicles were made. No need to create conspiracy theories.

[@Chronochrome]

If this were $10k cheaper, I'd consider it. It's just not worth it at its current price point. It's also very obvious that American manufacturers rushed into the EV market to make a quick profit. The lack of reliable technology and very strange design choices proves that. It's just a fad to them, so they don't respect their own designs.

[@kelviskelvis7140]

10k cheaper would be nice. Not obvious to many who actually bought a GM SUV that American manufacturers rushed into the EV market to make a quick profit - That is a lame statement. Also a lame statement about it's just a fad - to who? Not the person who actually bought the car. My Lyriq is a good purchase - you will not get any empathy from me on your misinformed statements. If you do not want one then just don't buy one, but spare us your guess work about what you know not.

[@toronado455]

If quick profit was the motivation, they are in trouble.

[@Where2bub]

True that I don’t think they’re up to speed quite yet on the ev market, but Honda/Acura is using the same car essentially for Honda/Acura, so what does that say about GM? What does that say about Honda?

[@BremboT]

65k for the Blazer EV 55k for the Kia EV 9 with 7seats😂 Like.. Is GM/Chevy serious😅? EV9 has way faster charging, same range, waaay more cargo and passenger room, a frunk and a glass roof!😂 for 55k! Chevy is in serious trouble. GM will need a bail out soon.

[@Molishious]

I was considering a Blazer or an Equinox but the terrible rollout of the Ultium cars so far has me spooked. I’m looking more at models that have been out for a least of couple of years and have had time to work out most of the kinks.

[@metricstormtrooper]

Why don't you just buy a car? Perhaps a station wagon.

[@thefish5861]

Buy a Tesla. There’s a reason they outsell all legacy EVs.

[@CarShopping101]

GM can't even make reliable ICE cars after over 100 years of doing that! What makes you think they will build reliable EVs 😂. Even Tesla's quality is garbage 🤣

[@YouTubeDeletesComments]

Buy an EV, if you want range anxiety. Buy an EV, if you want to waste hours of your time, "trying" to charge the vehicle. Buy an EV, if you want to support child slave labour(for battery material mining) Buy an EV, if you want to burn your house down. Buy an EV, if you want to write it off, driving in a foot water. Buy an EV, if you're a hipster, and want to show how virtuous you are.

[@thumbtech]

The committee that ditched carplay / android auto really failed GM. Every mention of the vehicle highlights their absence & it was a significant differentiator vs Tesla. Would be a great little case study for b-school grad!

[@DMan-OceanOne]

All EV’s are run by software so the key to success will be a well tuned (in software terms) control system. Most, if not all, EV’s have had software issues upon startup. I’m not certain how software (there is so much) is “tested” and “approved” in the process of producing a consumer car, let alone EV’s?

[@williamcotten4539]

Yeah. I won’t be buying ANY vehicle that doesn’t allow me to pair my phone in the conventional manner. Ditching Apple CarPlay is ditching a huge segment of their demographic.

[@josueelombre931]

GM can’t even get there electronics right in there normal cars for years. You really think a fully electric GM car will be better lol?

[@toronado455]

😂

[@davidm5707]

$60,000 apparently buys a lot of junk.

[@Fitforacting]

Low range, slower charging, not having reliable chargers, wonky software. I need all companies to at least have these things going well for there to be a fair playing field. 😮 They should let you return this one until they get the problems figured out

[@im4udevco]

Shoring software in-house as opposed to the traditional way of doing business for OEMs is going to be a lot painful than it looks. Rather than announcing and trying to push out new EVs almost all at once, they need to be thoughtful and deliberate in rolling out their products. I guess they are finding out the hard way.

[@jazzfan7491]

Apple Carplay and a touch screen, plus all the safety systems, is just basic respect for the consumer. Not having those things is a key sign of a bad attitude toward customers.

[@brotherdaveseattle2791]

No it doesn't

[@Digikidthevoiceofreason]

@@brotherdaveseattle2791Yes it does.

[@Digikidthevoiceofreason]

No CarPlay… *NO SALE!!!*

[@gregelseman8546]

Why I own a GM and I find the GM systems so much better an apple McDonnell systems

[@stanmisiak5634]

Typically GM can't get EVs to market

[@godofdun]

I think it's pretty clear from the price this is just a rebadged Lyriq. Either save your money and get another EV 2-row, spend up slightly and get the Lyriq, or wait for the cheaper trims (and fixed software......).

[@brotherdaveseattle2791]

No, completely different from Ultium platform up. Know what you're talking about before you post

[@markh.1487]

I had to rewind to make sure i heard the price correctly. Holy cow, $60k. Even with the taxpayers giving you $7,500 of that, i dont get it.

[@CarShopping101]

Massively overpriced garbage even with the outrageous tax rebate.

[@adamn7516]

Still not sure I like the Blazer name on an EV. Honestly even the ICE version. The Blazers original competitor in the 80's was the Bronco 2 and in the 90's ther Ford Explorer which has kept to its roots as a more bold and trucklike vehicle while the new Blazer is now a swoopy soccermom crossover. Although Ford disrespected the Mustang name it on their crossover EV so they made the same mistake. Don't get me wrong, I like the Blazer styling and the Mach E styling, I just think its wrong to use longstanding iconic names on vehicles so far removed from their roots.

[@BeauregardPayne]

0:41 it actually is a safety issue for people with photosensitivity like epilepsy (not just drivers passengers too have rights) and could be a major lawsuit if there was an injury

[@Timbrock1000]

Too much touch screen! You need to use a touch dcreen to do everything from rolling down the eindow to adjusting the HVAC, to operating the stereo. This means having to take your eyes off the road to scroll through menus, and selections. Hmmm, what could possibly go wrong?

[@michaels3003]

This the new normal, unless such vehicles stop selling (I don’t think so), or the government imposes new regulations.

[@RB-pi3jl]

Chevrolet says screen shutting off is not a safety issue. Tesla's font is .2mm too small on a few warning icons and NHTSA makes them "recall" 2.2 million cars for a mere over-the-air software fix that has already gone out.

[@792247]

Charging cable issue: just use a right angle connector?

[@ddellwo]

If you GAVE me one, the first trip I’d take in it would be to Lowe’s to buy the “FOR SALE” sign……..😐

[@voxmobius]

Are there enough buttons? Or will I be stuck with going through a menu?

[@Dusdaddy]

No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? Apple and Google must be beating them up for money. Like ESPN to cable companies. But if it has Google maps for Nav and Google assistant, I'd be happy with that.

[@gregelseman8546]

Why I own a GM and I find the GM systems so much better an apple McDonnell systems. On every trip I prefer the GM system. The apple is terrible . I feel people who use car play are not of high IQ

[@nuvoflo]

What’s wrong with “futuristic”, Alex? (Unless you mean it doesn’t look like a Tesla pickup truck….). This being said, lots of good points raised in this first look.

[@jimthumerzs2301]

Great looking car, but since it's a GM, its bound to be a reliability headache. If GM could ever get their quality under control, they'd be a threat to other automakers again.

[@gregelseman8546]

Well GM makes far better than tesla with the first cars bumpers falling off.

[@dwnrange7812]

Big question... Is there a paid subscription needed for that integrated Google services? Because that would be the case for all future GM vehicles?

[@Jwdude123]

Yep

[@karinbaker6516]

Just bought one just like this one. Got 600 miles on it. None of the problems he bitched about. We'll see how it goes:)

[@Starship007]

Similar problem with first year of the Cadillac EV, Lyriq

[@mrxman581]

Looks promising. Thanks

[@BTC909]

Ultium is a mess. Dealer techs don't have the training (possibly tools) to work on these.

[@timwong2436]

Typical GM. Look good but can’t make a product that works. $60,000…….way too much

[@davidroth-df6zu]

I purchased the 2024 Blazer RS for 47,095. I have received many complements on the look of the car, it is a great looking car. The interior has a two tone black/red, very nice and tech is good. I don't believe any EV will compare to this car at $47,095 from my time looking at other EV's. I would highly recommend to go out and look and drive the Blazer and compare, GM did a good job with this EV.

[@benjilafouine]

279 miles range? So if you don’t charge it to more than 80%, you’re dropping at 220 miles. Then you subtract another 30% inbound cold weather and you’re not getting further than 220 miles if you’re lucky. Laughable.

[@carljaekle]

Seems like a solid choice, if they can work out all the kinks. Doesn't the display have an automatic setting where it brightens or darkens, depending on ambient light? Also, it should have a night setting, so it's less distracting at night.

[@toronado455]

Auto screen brightness control in a car? What cars have that?

[@user-un9dg3zr2y]

Volvo, Audi probably others

[@carljaekle]

@@toronado455 Tesla, there is a screen sub menu. You can manually set brightness or set it to auto. Also automatically switches to dark mode at night.

[@douglasbrooker5834]

Why to people insist on having huge computer terminals as a dashboard in vehicles. Why can't you buy a simple basic car with no frills except radio climate control and engine info.

[@professorsergio3819]

Turning around to close the console is annoying. Bruhhh

[@Starship007]

Chevy built the tiny Bolt for so many years. Why are their software issues with their cars. Over the airway updates could fix?

[@user-cw9em3mo3w]

Mary Barra, you did it again! Make GM make under deliver on its promises,!😂

[@normt430]

GM leads the ICE to EV revolution in North America today.

[@Gerberbaby922]

Keep up the great work Alex.

[@matthewronson5218]

Distractions are NOT a safety issue for Government Motors? The S/T stands for Super Torch, R/S is Raging Scorch.

[@timkline162]

Recall aside, I was looking forward to both Chevy Blazer and Equinox EVs, but now I won't even consider them ever because they dropped Carplay.

[@kevinbrown1368]

With regret the price point is terrible considering the continued claims that EVs are at cost parity with regular cars.

[@Steve_in_NJ]

Why we will NEVER buy a GM vehicle again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see your final review of the 2024 Hyundai KONA ICE and EV Crossovers!!!!

[@brotherdaveseattle2791]

Of course you won't

[@johnreese3762]

Me too!

[@tomdrummy4984]

LOL ! They might sell 7 or 8 of these 🙂. What is the boomerang for behind the front wheel? Purely decorative ?

[@adookapoor]

Nice sharp looking car!

[@tednordquist5266]

Good review. I think todays electric cars and especially GM products are ones you should lease. This vehicle is an un-compelling mess.

[@brotherdaveseattle2791]

lol, you're a mess

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

​@@brotherdaveseattle2791 they're right tho

[@wholeNwon]

First question should always be: "Will it be reliable?" Now what does the history of GM products, in general, tell us about that?

[@gregelseman8546]

Better than any other company ? What do you drive ?

[@kevinW826]

The touchscreen and the digital display flashing is NOT a safety concern???? WTF is wrong with them!?? What happens if the brakes suddenly activate and you come to a screeching halt on the highway? Or the battery suddenly catches fire? Have they tightened up the lug nuts to keep the wheels on? I would be afraid of that.

[@jumpdawg799]

GM is using OS2 Warp for their car computer Operating system

[@malcolmar]

Looks great but why get rid of Android Auto and Apple Car Play? What a dumb move.

[@Jwdude123]

Removing android auto and CarPlay is a blatant cash grab!

[@gregelseman8546]

Why I own a GM and I find the GM systems so much better an apple McDonnell systems

[@rickc6028]

Don't want it if it doesn't have apple carplay or android auto!

[@2009MigyFl]

Please let us know if GM fixes the problems. I want the Equinox EV, but maybe I will wait until GM figures a solution or solutions. The car is beautiful.

[@TheBoomerPlace]

I bought a 2021 Mazda CX-5 (new) for 32k. The price difference will buy a lot of gas. 😂😂😂

[@peepinR]

It looks great but if all the stories are true then forget about how good it looks. A car's fuction is to get you from A to B and if it cant do that then it is uselss

[@geraldscott4302]

This thing could actually have a future. As the worlds largest, most expensive RC car, for wealthy kids everywhere. You wouldn't even need a transmitter, though something this expensive should have one anyway. It can be controlled from a phone, tablet, laptop, or pretty much any wireless device. Eat your heart out Traxxas.

[@kokolovitch56]

General Motors is reducing the price of its new Chevrolet Blazer EV as it restarts sales of the vehicle Friday following an 11-week stoppage to address software issues.

[@thebigdoghimself]

Big auto isn't doing very well at EVs. The problem for them is companies like China's Build Your Dreams (BYD) not only know how to build them but also know how to build them cheaply. I sold my Ford stock last year, I just don't see any of them making it. They keep pushing off development plans to some time in the future. The problem is that by the time companies such as GM and Toyota decide that they are ready to fully commit, it's going to be too late because Tesla and China will be 10 years or more ahead in technology.

[@Wasabi9111]

My dad just got a Cadillac Lyriq and he loves the way it drives. However the sw is extremely glitchy. But the built quality is also pretty bad, not any better than the startups.

[@user-cw9em3mo3w]

The other problem with legacy auto is the brand name,you want an EV it has to be a Tesla.

[@kenspurr9605]

Absolutely! They chose not to build the best quality and most innovative cars.

[@MrBeugh]

No Apple Car Play or Android Auto? Total deal-breaker for me. Why are they doing this, to collect and sell customer data? Stupid decision.

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

Should have called it the Blaze as when it catches fire it will be a blaze.

[@robratchford2433]

Good luck finding a charging station that is operational, or having to wait in line to get your vehicle recharged. I don’t think so!

[@freddiecarr7602]

I love the looks and the "stance". The interior is a homerun as I do not want a big screen in the center where I have to go to change everything. Let Teslo fanboys have at it.

[@user-bq4un2zx1s]

Big screens are a fad. Shouldn’t need to put on my reading glasses to turn down the heater.

[@jason_tha1]

"Chevy wished we didn't have"...lol

[@muhammad-bin-american]

Not bad at all. Price? $60K? For the FOMO people. maybe?

[@RingPan]

Nice It was come with Headup Display

[@Joncotter324]

I wouldn’t even pay $40k…a new Blazer gas engine is like $36-39k…if you’re charging 50% more for these EVs, they won’t ever catch on.

[@stephenwinter8892]

I don't buy from ford gm or chrysler because of reliability issues greetings from southern Ontario Canada

[@gregelseman8546]

Ha lies this is paid. Every car company has problems especially my last Toyota. Engine rebuild at 60k

[@metricstormtrooper]

"Just look at this thing" yeah, it's not low, it's just another SU fing V, it just happens to be an EV.

[@michaelweaver7640]

No CarPlay or Android Auto? That’s an easy no. I’ve seen the promised land and I’m not going back.

[@brotherdaveseattle2791]

I will NEVER buy a car based on its phone interface

[@gregelseman8546]

Why I own a GM and I find the GM systems so much better an apple McDonnell systems

[@jeffmorton5539]

GM, Cruise, Lordstown, Nikola, Kodak, Blockbuster…….

[@Igorryy]

So, when you need to dim the screens and they do dim but that is very disappointing? Makes total sense.

[@flatline7310]

Typically GM has electrical issues. 😂

[@patriot5526]

60,000 dollar clunker, and that’s just the beginning. When the warranty runs out, you’ll go bankrupt trying to keep it on the road. With an ICE car, you can replace the entire drivetrain, which is basically the engine and transmission for half the price or less than the price of a new battery for this vehicle, and assuming it’s been cared for as far as rust prevention, you’ll easily drive it for 10 more years.

[@Geoduck.]

This madness is sad to see. I've owned GM cars and trucks for over 50 years but lately its all junk. Wake up GM!

[@yeziam12]

No Apple Car play, no deal....had you had Apple, Android, and Google OK, but to remove them, that's just wrong.

[@jameshoopes6467]

Pardon the pun, but the absence of Apple CarPlay is a non-starter for me. It rules the vehicle out of consideration.

[@AusNetFan13]

Without Apple CarPlay, I’m out. Bye-bye GM.

[@darksideblues135]

No V8, or V10, or V12? Disqualified.

[@karinbaker6516]

Also cost $55,100.00 with tax, lic. and 7yr. 100,000 m9iles on everthing. Loaded with every option. $7500 tax credit. Nobody ever tells you the whole story and I'm a Mopar person.

[@stackula99]

Why is there a paint charge????

[@BremboT]

They could've already had this car on the road, but because they're looking to milk consumers pockets via subscription charges for simple infotainment features, they shot themselves in the foot. Meanwhile, the Koreans with their offerings are running away with it. Imagine buying this Blazer over a Kia EV9, which has an additional row of seating for the SAME PRICE!🤯

[@user-vx7vi3vq1c]

Good job GM.

[@CannonFodder873]

Promises....Promises....then REALITY enters the chat.🚽

[@ericgregori]

Software is hard. Pouch cells are dangerous. If you want an EV, get a Tesla. GM and Ford should stick with ICE vehicles.

[@larrybethune3909]

Hardware guys trying to manage software projects. Same old story.

[@DanL57]

It's too expensive.

[@user-tt6il2up4o]

Us car companies and aircraft manufactures ahve highest paid c suite on the planet, same c suite deliver poor products and are killing the companies. But never get fired or paid relative to the dreadful performance.

[@garytorresani8846]

Just look at Boing since the merger. Quality problems up the you know what. Continuing the 737 max range based on an old 707 fuselage is a disaster. The software is a mess. Leaving parts out in the plane shows they’re more concerned with fast production than quality control. The Air Force was pissed at the lack of quality control and loose parts in the planes they ordered. All this in a company that set the benchmark in design and quality. This is what happens when a company cares more about profits and investors than people and quality. It’s happening in all industries as the conglomerates take over. Less R and D, less competition, more falling behind in innovation. I saw the difference between the build quality in my 2000 ford Ranger, which I still have and is virtually indestructible, and my 2012 and 2016 Fiestas that had quality problems from the start. The 2016 started breaking down once a month when it hit 60,000 miles and it was a stick shift. At 65,000, I said enough is enough and got a 2019 Honda fit. Outside of regular maintenance, nothing has broken down and it has over 87,000 miles on it. Guess who isn’t gonna buy an American EV. Me! The 737 should have been dumped for a new modern design. Makes me wonder how many airlines will cancel 737 orders and buy from Airbus which has a much better modern airliner in that segment,

[@opencarry3860]

Battery powered vehicles looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

[@Starship007]

The wave of cheap Chinese EV’s something to worry about. GM keep the course

[@alant5757]

Uhhhh….. no thanks.