Blazer EV or Equinox EV? I Bought One - Here's Why!

Products Compared

• 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV RS AWD Reviewed previously; used as the comparison baseline throughout.

• 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS “Tris” (assumed RS AWD) Main focus of this comparison.

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Key Features (What Matters to Buyers)

Performance / Power

• Similar acceleration: ~0–60 mph in 6 seconds for both.
• Power/Torque figures:
  • Blazer EV: 300 hp, 333 lb-ft
  • Equinox EV: 300 hp, 355 lb-ft
• Takeaway: The quoted numbers suggest little real-world difference in punch.

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Range (Real-World Emphasis)

Winner: Equinox EV

• Real-life range advantage: up to ~50 km more than the Blazer.
• Cold-weather note: the Equinox setup performed better than the Blazer setup in cold conditions.
• Likely contributor (wheel/tire differences):
  • Blazer tested with: 17-inch wheels + winter tires (narrator modified setup)
  • Equinox tested with: 21-inch wheels (more factory-style choice)

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Charging Speed

Winner: Blazer EV (but neither is “best in class”)

• Stated maximum charging:
  • Blazer EV: up to 190 kW
  • Equinox EV: up to 150 kW
• Cold-weather experience using the same charger (~180 kW):
  • Blazer: about 140 kW
  • Equinox: about 120–125 kW (described as “only about 120” kW)
• Broader EV context: the narrator says both are weaker than competitors such as:
  • Chevrolet Silverado EV (up to ~350 kW)
  • Many newer EVs targeting 250 kW+

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Interior Comfort / Space

• Front leg room:

  • Blazer: 44 in
  • Equinox: 41 in (+3 in for Blazer)
  • Narrator notes average drivers should be fine; taller drivers may notice.

• Rear headroom:

  • Blazer: +3 in (rear roof slope difference)

• Rear leg room:

  • About the same (roughly 39–40 in)

• Floor height:

  • Both have a high floor; narrator estimates about a foot from floor to seat area, so tall riders “ride high” in both.

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Cargo Capacity (Most Detailed Comparison)

Seats Up (Typical Family Use)

• Blazer EV: 25.5 cu ft
• Equinox EV: 26.4 cu ft
• Winner: Equinox EV (despite being smaller overall)

Seats Down

• Blazer EV: 59 cu ft
• Equinox EV: 57 cu ft
• Winner: Blazer EV (slight edge)

Why the Seats-Up Numbers Differ

• Narrator’s measurements suggest:
  • Blazer has a higher/costlier “high floor” and less usable length under that floor.
• Key measurement breakdown (as described):
  • Roof-to-floor: Blazer ~27.2 in, Equinox ~29 in (less usable on Blazer)
  • Seat-to-trim/plastic edge: Blazer ~33 in, Equinox ~38 in (about +5 in usable length on Equinox)
• Width tradeoff: Blazer is wider, but loses usable storage once height/structure constraints are considered.

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Price / Value Comparison

• Blazer costs more: about $6,000 more on entry trims and up to $8,000 more on higher trims (US/Canada context as phrased by narrator).
• Blazer value drivers (extra room):
  • +3 in front leg room
  • +3 in rear headroom
  • +2 in shoulder space (rear)
• Narrator’s conclusion: the higher cost isn’t justified overall because:
  • Range is worse
  • Cargo advantage is minimal when seats are up (family-use scenario)

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Additional User-Experience Criticisms / Reliability Concerns

Charging Port Design

• Blazer EV: charging port is motorized
  • Narrator says they don’t trust it and expect it may fail sooner.
• Equinox EV: charging port is mechanized
  • Narrator views this as more durable.

Door Handles

• Blazer EV: manual door handles
• Equinox EV: different design (narrator implies not manual; different actuation)
• Winter behavior issue noted:
  • Handles can freeze, especially if snow packs near the mechanism.
  • Tip: disable approach key in winter so handles don’t pop while clearing snow.

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Pros / Cons (as stated or implied)

Blazer EV RS — Pros

• Slightly better charging speed: up to 190 kW vs 150 kW
• More front leg room: +3 in
• More rear headroom: +3 in
• Seats-down cargo volume slightly higher: +2 cu ft
• AWD framed as strong for winter/mountains (narrator’s environment)

Blazer EV RS — Cons

• Worse real-world range: up to ~50 km less (narrator estimate)
• Seats-up cargo is worse: 25.5 vs 26.4 cu ft
  • Plus less usable length due to higher floor constraints
• Concern about motorized charging port durability
• Higher price: +$6k to +$8k depending on trim

Equinox EV — Pros

• Better real-world range
• More usable cargo space when seats are up (family-relevant)
• More trusted charging-port approach (narrator preference)
• More compact design contributes to better efficiency/range (narrator claim)

Equinox EV — Cons

• Slower charging: up to 150 kW
• Less front leg room: -3 in
• Less rear headroom: -3 in

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Comparison to Other EVs (Charging Context)

The narrator emphasizes that both SUVs’ charging performance is not top-tier compared with:

• Silverado EV (~350 kW)
• Many newer EVs (~250 kW+)

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Overall Verdict / Recommendation (Narrator)

• Recommendation: Skip the Blazer EV for most buyers.
• Preferred choice: Equinox EV
• Main reasons:
  • Range advantage
  • Seats-up cargo practicality for typical family use
• The narrator deems these advantages more important than:
  • Blazer’s charging speed gain
  • Blazer’s extra cabin space

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Unique Points Mentioned (Distinct Takeaways)

1. Both are 2025 Chevrolet EVs compared in an RS AWD context.
2. Both have 300 hp and similar 0–60 (~6 sec) performance.
3. Blazer charging speed: 190 kW vs 150 kW.
4. Cold-weather differences; attributed partly to wheel size (17” winter setup vs 21”).
5. Equinox real-world range: up to ~50 km more.
6. Front leg room: Blazer 44 in, Equinox 41 in.
7. Rear headroom: Blazer +3 in.
8. Rear leg room: about the same (~39 in).
9. Both have a high floor; taller drivers sit “high.”
10. Cargo (seats up): Equinox 26.4 cu ft > Blazer 25.5 cu ft.
11. Cargo (seats down): Blazer 59 cu ft > Equinox 57 cu ft.
12. Cargo difference explained via usable length under high floor being greater on Equinox.
13. Blazer has less usable cargo length with seats up due to floor/structure constraints.
14. Blazer is wider, but usable storage suffers when accounting for height/structure.
15. Blazer price premium: +$6k (entry) to +$8k (higher trims).
16. Blazer added value: +3 in front leg room, +3 in rear headroom, +2 in rear shoulder space.
17. Real-life range penalty described as drastic.
18. Blazer charging port is motorized; narrator distrusts durability.
19. Equinox charging port is mechanized; narrator prefers it.
20. Door handle designs differ (Blazer manual; Equinox different actuation).
21. Winter tip: disable approach key so handles don’t pop while snow/ice packs around mechanisms.
22. Narrator frames Equinox as better for families (seats are usually up).
23. Blazer only “worth it” if you prioritize cabin space and accept the tradeoffs.

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Speaker / Perspective

• Single main speaker: Pat (“the outsider”), a military veteran EV reviewer
  • Provides the measurements, pros/cons, and final recommendation.