GM Gave Me $100 To Test Drive A Blazer - Quick Impressions

[MellowJohnny]

I stumbled across an offer on the GM site in Canada offering $100 Amazon gift card to test drive a Blazer, Equinox, or Silverado EV. How could I say no? So I went to the dealership yesterday and drove a Blazer LS.

Admittedly I was a bit pressed for time when I went in, so didn't deep dive on much, but overall I was impressed. So here are a few quick impressions vs. the Mach-E, which I drove to the dealership and parked beside a Lyriq (which I also drove).

Looks:
Always subjective, but looking at both cars in the lot, the Mach-E is easily the winner . I like it better from the side and back - really don't like the facia. But it's certainly not offensive. Also, actual door handles! Which was weird to be honest. Also weird that the Equinox has Tesla-style flush handles.

Interior:
Impressed. The wrap-around screen is actually pretty nice, seats were nice (although a 15 minutes test is not long enough), hate the "turbine" air vents, steering wheel was surprisingly chunky, and volume-wise felt a bit roomier than the Mach-E. Back seats definitely had less headroom - my daughter (who is 5' 9") felt like she almost needed to turn her head sideways to avoid hitting it on the roof liner.

Software:
Really hard to say - my daughter was co-pilot and handled navigating the screen. Famously no CarPlay or Android Auto, but it did have Google Maps built in. I for one would miss CarPlay - I frequently take meetings on the road via Teams in CarPlay, but that's probably all I'd *really* miss. But I like CarPlay.

Ride:
I think this is where the Blazer really shines. I'll preface this by saying we were on almost perfect tarmac behind the dealership and then the highway, but it rode very well. Not sure if the suspension changes with drive modes (I was in "Sport") but I don't think so. Power on the highway was all you need, but I didn't hoon around with it.

Overall space:
Seemed about the same as the Mach-E. It may be a bit wider inside (it felt that way at least), rear room was good, and the trunk space seemed identical. No frunk.

Bonus coverage: I took out the Lyriq on the same route. Also drove very nicely, more bells & whistles, but for CAD$87k it's a bit rich. More trunk space than the Mach-E, and it was roomier.

Overall, at a minimum nothing really disappointed (other than no CarPlay) and at best I was impressed. The thing that stood out to me the most was the ride - really nice. If I was cross-shopping today it would be a serious competitor (for me) to the Mach-E, but I just don't think I could get over the looks.

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[david_quick]

In addition to CarPlay the thing that put me off was no Supercruise on any of the Blazer trims currently in production. It’s supposed to be on the SS but that is now pushed out to 26.

 

[MellowJohnny]

In addition to CarPlay the thing that put me off was no Supercruise on any of the Blazer trims currently in production. It’s supposed to be on the SS but that is now pushed out to 26.

Ah....didn't pick up on that. The sales guy (22 yrs. old & three months on the job, but an "EV Specialist") only mentioned Supercruise when I drove the Lyriq. Now I know why...

 

[Jimrpa]

No frunk = deal-killer

 

[ipca204]

No frunk = deal-killer

man, if that's your deal breaker on an ev suv, i feel sorry for you...lol

 

[23RedMache]

I received the same offer here only I drove the Equinox 2RS. I agree the ride was very smooth, especially considering that it has 21" wheels. I think it would be interesting to compare it with the LT trim that comes with 19" wheels standard.

The software seemed to work even with the lack of CarPlay. The interface was smooth and doesn't lag, at least during my short test drive. Living with it day to day may be a totally different experience. All I do in the car is make/receive calls, voice texting, and the occasional navigation and it looks like those would be handled well enough.

The slow charging on DCFS is an issue, but wouldn't be for me as I 99.9% charge at home. Have only DCFC my MME once in 9 months so if it take me 15 minutes longer than a Tesla or pretty much any other EV to charge I could live with that.

There is just my wife and I most of the time except when we have one of the grandkids. Plenty of room in the back for car seats and comparable room in the back for groceries or what ever you currently haul in the back of the MME.

Door handles were a bit different but honestly like them better that the buttons on the MME.

Styling is a personal preference but I think it actually looks pretty good. Overall I think Chevrolet did a good job and they paid the $100 as promised!

 

[david_quick]

The slow charging on DCFS is an issue, but wouldn't be for me as I 99.9% charge at home. Have only DCFC my MME once in 9 months so if it take me 15 minutes longer than a Tesla or pretty much any other EV to charge I could live with that.
Quote]
GM advertises 190 KW charging. 78 miles in 10 minutes 30 min to 80%

 

[Jimrpa]

man, if that's your deal breaker on an ev suv, i feel sorry for you...lol

Yes, it is. It’s a very convenient storage area (and lockable). It’s also a sign of lazy design. It shows that the designers had no interest in trying to optimize packaging. They took the approach taken by software engineers to bloat the systems to fill every possible space.

 

[ipca204]

Oh well... if it's "lockable".. unlike the rest of the car, I totally get it...

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Oh well... if it's "lockable".. unlike the rest of the car, I totally get it...

You clearly are new here. Jim is the top #1 frunk guy on this forum. He pretty much single-handedly got Ford to finally add frunk electronic opening to Fordpass and the center console on the Job 1 2021s. (They didn't have it until late last year.)

It's worth remembering that just because something isn't important to you, it doesn't mean it isn't important to others. We all have our unique life experiences.

 

[ipca204]

I agree. Its's not important to me but he is the first person I have known to say they would not buy an EV because it did not have a frunk... which I find silly, as is my right...lol

 

[Deleted member 19354]

I stumbled across an offer on the GM site in Canada offering $100 Amazon gift card to test drive a Blazer, Equinox, or Silverado EV. How could I say no? So I went to the dealership yesterday and drove a Blazer LS.

Admittedly I was a bit pressed for time when I went in, so didn't deep dive on much, but overall I was impressed. So here are a few quick impressions vs. the Mach-E, which I drove to the dealership and parked beside a Lyriq (which I also drove).

Looks:
Always subjective, but looking at both cars in the lot, the Mach-E is easily the winner . I like it better from the side and back - really don't like the facia. But it's certainly not offensive. Also, actual door handles! Which was weird to be honest. Also weird that the Equinox has Tesla-style flush handles.

Interior:
Impressed. The wrap-around screen is actually pretty nice, seats were nice (although a 15 minutes test is not long enough), hate the "turbine" air vents, steering wheel was surprisingly chunky, and volume-wise felt a bit roomier than the Mach-E. Back seats definitely had less headroom - my daughter (who is 5' 9") felt like she almost needed to turn her head sideways to avoid hitting it on the roof liner.

Software:
Really hard to say - my daughter was co-pilot and handled navigating the screen. Famously no CarPlay or Android Auto, but it did have Google Maps built in. I for one would miss CarPlay - I frequently take meetings on the road via Teams in CarPlay, but that's probably all I'd *really* miss. But I like CarPlay.

Ride:
I think this is where the Blazer really shines. I'll preface this by saying we were on almost perfect tarmac behind the dealership and then the highway, but it rode very well. Not sure if the suspension changes with drive modes (I was in "Sport") but I don't think so. Power on the highway was all you need, but I didn't hoon around with it.

Overall space:
Seemed about the same as the Mach-E. It may be a bit wider inside (it felt that way at least), rear room was good, and the trunk space seemed identical. No frunk.

Bonus coverage: I took out the Lyriq on the same route. Also drove very nicely, more bells & whistles, but for CAD$87k it's a bit rich. More trunk space than the Mach-E, and it was roomier.

Overall, at a minimum nothing really disappointed (other than no CarPlay) and at best I was impressed. The thing that stood out to me the most was the ride - really nice. If I was cross-shopping today it would be a serious competitor (for me) to the Mach-E, but I just don't think I could get over the looks.

After owning 5 Cadillacs it was a not easy for me to change to the Mach E. The Lyriq is what I wanted but yes I could not justify the $$. The MachE had most of the bells and whistles I wanted except venting seats. I have a good relationship with my service advisor at Cadillac. He said quietly “not yet” to
Many bugs with software and a few mechanical problems.
The Blazer is basically the same platform I believe except the bells and whistles and trim. Same dementions I believe.
One I’ve been eyeing is the Equinox and when I have some spare time I’ll peak at it.
Another one is the Iconic 6. I do love a sedan!

Apple car play (or Google for those users) is a must. One thing I did not like about the Kia or Hyundai was not wireless but I think that has changed

I’m fairly satisfied with my GT the torque is what i do love

 

[dgilles428]

I received the same offer here only I drove the Equinox 2RS. I agree the ride was very smooth, especially considering that it has 21" wheels. I think it would be interesting to compare it with the LT trim that comes with 19" wheels standard.

The software seemed to work even with the lack of CarPlay. The interface was smooth and doesn't lag, at least during my short test drive. Living with it day to day may be a totally different experience. All I do in the car is make/receive calls, voice texting, and the occasional navigation and it looks like those would be handled well enough.

The slow charging on DCFS is an issue, but wouldn't be for me as I 99.9% charge at home. Have only DCFC my MME once in 9 months so if it take me 15 minutes longer than a Tesla or pretty much any other EV to charge I could live with that.

There is just my wife and I most of the time except when we have one of the grandkids. Plenty of room in the back for car seats and comparable room in the back for groceries or what ever you currently haul in the back of the MME.

Door handles were a bit different but honestly like them better that the buttons on the MME.

Styling is a personal preference but I think it actually looks pretty good. Overall I think Chevrolet did a good job and they paid the $100 as promised!

My friend just bought an Equinox EV 2RS .. bright red - looks great, but I can't imagine why they put 275x40x21 tires on a SUV with only 213 hp. Also when you open the hood it looks like a normal transverse 4 cylinder sitting in there. I also was surprised to that it is 10 inches longer than an ICE Equinox and only 2 inches shorter than a Blazer EV.

 

[Womps]

When we drove the Blazer the reflections on the glass on the passenger side windshield on a sunny day bothered my wife. They have a heavy pattern on the top of the dash on the passenger side. It even bothered me. Sure didn’t have the get up and go that the Mach E has but the ride was definitely far superior on the Blazer.

 

[GrantK]

No frunk = deal-killer

Imagine a forum with no complaints about frunk buttons in the app…

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