Chevrolet Equinox EV vs Blazer EV: Which One Should You Buy?
BY
FEDERICO ALCALA
Top Speed
Chevrolet plans to kick the board with these two electric SUVs that will go on sale in the coming months, but which one is better?
The Chevrolet Equinox EV and Blazer EV are two highly anticipated EVs that are sure to turn some heads and
may even compete with each other. As both models are produced by
Chevrolet, they share many commonalities in terms of technical and aesthetic features. However, there are also differences between the two models that may prove to be crucial when deciding which one to purchase in the future. Of course, personal preference and budget will ultimately be the deciding factors when choosing between the Equinox EV and Blazer EV, but there are several other factors you should consider before making your final decision. These may include things like size, range, performance, and features.
Despite their differences, both the Chevy Equinox EV and Blazer EV are backed by the well-established reputation of Chevrolet and its parent company, GM. This means that you can expect high-quality vehicles that are both reliable and durable. Furthermore, as EVs continue to gain popularity, it's clear that the Equinox EV and Blazer EV are poised to make a big impact on the market. This has to do with the fact that they will be released within a few months of each other and will certainly change the strategy of all their competitors. Of course,
this competition will not be easy for Chevy's SUVs either, but it will be interesting to see how the situation evolves.
1. The Equinox EV Is Cheaper
The base model Equinox EV price is estimated to be around $30,000, while the Blazer EV price is $44,995 for the same trim level (1LT). However, it's worth noting that the Chevy Equinox EV price for higher-end models, such as the 2RS, can reach numbers of around $40,000, with even more premium versions set to hit the market in 2024. In comparison,
the top-of-the-line Chevy Blazer EV price is $65,995. As always, these prices are subject to change over time and do not include other expenses associated with buying a car. While the significant price difference between the Equinox EV and the Blazer EV may suggest a gap in features and capabilities, as you will see later, it's important to remember that budget remains a key consideration for many people.
2. The Chevy Blazer EV Is Clearly More Powerful
When it comes to performance, it's no surprise that there are some differences between the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Chevrolet Blazer EV, given their significant price gap. The Blazer EV is, in fact, more powerful,
boasting around 557 horsepower for the SS model with standard all-wheel drive,
while the Equinox EV reaches up to 290 horsepower with eAWD for the best models, although the single-motor version only reaches 210 horsepower. Therefore, the Blazer EV may be more suitable for jobs that require power or that place much higher demands on the vehicle, but the Equinox EV makes more sense for family or urban use. It's worth noting that both models have impressive acceleration rates and handling (as will be discussed later) which is in line with the reputation of Chevrolet's EV lineup as a whole.
3. Both Have Similar Range
In terms of range, the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Chevrolet Blazer EV are very similar vehicles. Chevrolet claims that the Blazer EV can travel up to 320 miles, while the Equinox EV has a range of 300 Miles. However, this can be put into perspective when looking at the variety of models within each vehicle's lineup. In reality, only the Blazer EV RS has a range of 320 miles,
while the other models range between 247 and 293 miles. On the Equinox EV side,
all models will have approximately 300 miles of range, so you could say that they are practically equivalent in this regard. The industry in general seems to be aiming to break the 300-Mile barrier for almost all models, but there is still a long way to go for that to happen.
4. The Chevy Blazer EV Is Faster
The difference in power between the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Chevrolet Blazer EV translates to a difference in acceleration and speed. The Blazer EV SS, with its 557 Horsepower,
can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds, which is much faster than
Equinox's best time of around six seconds. Both have acceptable numbers in this regard for their class, but the Blazer EV SS's exceptional acceleration may be important to you if you really care about performance. However, for many drivers, acceleration may not be a significant factor when choosing a car, as other aspects like comfort, safety, and fuel efficiency may be more important, so it can only be said with certainty that the Blazer is faster, but not that it is necessarily more convenient for that reason, at least not for everyone.
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5. Same Battery Technology
Despite the differences in power and price, the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Chevrolet Blazer EV share GM's Ultium platform, giving them a very similar structural base in terms of quality. The Ultium platform from GM is
a way to lower costs by having the vehicles share as much hardware as possible, including the battery cells and monitoring system, the essential motor architecture, and the operating system. The Ultium batteries used in these vehicles feature large pouch-type cells that package energy better than other systems, with each cell weighing about 3 pounds and holding 0.37 kWh of energy. This shared platform means that both vehicles benefit from
the same high-quality battery technology, ensuring that they have similar capabilities and performance when it comes to battery life and recharging.
6. Charging Capabilities: The Blazer EV Narrowly Wins
Despite being different models, the charging speed of the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Chevrolet Blazer EV is very similar. Both are capable of charging on a DC fast charger, and the Blazer EV can charge at up to 190 kW, while
the Equinox EV can charge at a maximum of 150 kW. This means that the Blazer EV can add about 78 miles of range in just 10 minutes, while the Equinox EV can add 70 miles of range in the same amount of time. The difference between the two vehicles is minimal and shouldn't be a deciding factor when choosing between them. On an AC Level 2 charger, both can take on 11.5 kW, except for the Equinox 3RS eAWD, which can handle 19.2 kW.
7. The Screens Are Very Similar
Concerning connectivity and technology systems, the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV have some little differences between them: the Equinox EV has a whopping 17.7-inch unit available, but only in the top-tier models, while
the Blazer EV has it as standard across all trims. However, both models come with an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster display, making them identical in this aspect. As for infotainment, both vehicles will likely be very similar, as they will share the latest version of GM's infotainment system, which includes advanced connectivity features like over-the-air software updates, which means that both the Blazer EV and the Equinox EV will receive the latest updates to their software and infotainment systems, improving their performance and capabilities over time.
8. The Equinox EV Has Less Cargo Space
The Chevrolet Blazer EV offers more cargo space and overall room than the compact Equinox EV, as it falls under the midsize category. The Blazer EV boasts 59.2 cubic feet of cargo room, while the Equinox EV offers 57 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Both vehicles offer reasonable passenger space, although the Blazer may lack sufficient headroom to be comfortable for taller passengers. However, it is unlikely that either vehicle will have a frunk due to the need to accommodate some of the charging-related mechanisms. Overall, the Blazer EV seems to be the better option if you are looking for a vehicle with more cargo and passenger space, and the
Equinox EV is a better choice if you prioritize compactness and maneuverability in urban environments.
9. Blazer EV Has A More Aggressive Exterior Design
The Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Chevrolet Blazer EV have similar designs at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the Blazer has a much more aggressive or at least sportier appearance, while the
Equinox looks more urban or even with a technological auto-like air, but certainly less aggressive. This is due to the power of each vehicle and the uses for which they are intended. Overall, this is not decisive in itself, but it does add reasons to choose one or the other if you are looking for a more sporty or urban vehicle. This difference in size is more noticeable when observing the profile of each vehicle, as the Blazer EV has a longer hood and a more pronounced rear end, while the Equinox EV has a more rounded profile.
10. Many Colors To Choose From, But Different In Each Case
As for the color options available for the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Chevrolet Blazer EV, there are also some differences to consider. The Blazer EV offers only 8 color options, but each one is a two-tone variation that always includes black and another color, such as white, blue, or red. On the other hand, the Equinox EV provides nine monochromatic color options, except for one white and blue combination. When it comes to the interior color palette, the Blazer EV presents two elegant choices: a sophisticated black with touches of other colors or a burgundy-like red. The Equinox EV, on the other hand, offers a conventional black or gray combined with black. It’s fair to say that, the Blazer EV
provides more sophisticated options to personalize the vehicle in terms of color.