The Chevrolet Blazer EV SS Prioritizes Speed: First Drive Review

Have you ever ever been on a launching curler coaster they usually let you know to put your head firmly towards the headrest to keep away from whiplash? Heed that very same warning within the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS. With one large battery pack sending electrons to 2 potent electrical motors, this electrical SUV is an absolute rocket in a straight line.

Sadly, like so many different go-fast electrical SUVs, that appears to be one of many Blazer’s few genuinely fascinating occasion methods. Alongside an upgraded suspension that helps get it ‘spherical corners barely higher, the Blazer EV SS feels very very like a warmed-over model of its base sibling. Relying on who you’re, that will or could not attraction.

Electrifying Pace

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Let me reiterate: The Chevrolet Blazer EV SS is fast as hell. With two electrical motors bolted to a 102.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack, it takes simply 3.4 seconds for the mid-size SUV to achieve 60 miles per hour. Definitely nothing to sneeze at. Solely the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT with the efficiency improve is faster, whereas the Jeep Wagoneer S matches the Blazer to 60 mph, and the outgoing Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency received there in 3.5 seconds.

Activate the aptly named “Extensive Open Watts” mode to uncork the Blazer EV SS’s full 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. In all different drive modes, the Blazer deploys simply 515 hp and 450 lb-ft—nonetheless lots sufficient for puttering round city. As soon as Extensive Open Watts is activated, put your left foot exhausting on the brake, proper foot exhausting on the gasoline, and grasp on for pricey life.

Go for the $395 Efficiency pack (just like the Blazer examined right here) to get even grippier Continental Efficiency summer time tires wrapped round the usual 22-inch wheels versus the usual all-seasons, and rotors that scale back brake fade. Even the non-Efficiency pack Blazer SS comes customary with Brembo six-piston fastened calipers up entrance.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Execs: Fast As Hell, Snug, Nicely-Outfitted Inside, Wonderful Vary

Though the Blazer is not a observe automotive, by Chevy’s personal admission, hucking it by means of the turns at Charlotte’s Ten Tenth’s Motor Membership offers me the prospect to get a really feel for the SUV’s new dampers, stiffer springs, and more-rigid anti-roll bars.

The Blazer SS feels principally composed. Via the primary few corners, the brand new dampers do a superb job of preserving issues tidy, whereas the anti-roll bars—that are 60 % stiffer than on the usual Blazer EV—assist mitigate physique roll. There’s nonetheless loads of physique movement, as you’d anticipate in a 5,700-pound electrical SUV, however not a lot that it feels unruly. Even in tighter corners, it does not essentially really feel such as you’re flinging round that a lot weight.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Naturally, the Blazer SS is not probably the most exact observe weapon. Regardless that Chevy says it sharpened the steering particularly for the SS mannequin, it might nonetheless use extra suggestions; it is fast and lightweight, however fairly imprecise, which makes it robust to inform what the entrance finish is doing. And there is some understeer, expectedly, for such a heavy SUV.

Down the longer straights, the Blazer SS, but once more, exhibits off its unrelenting velocity. And the Brembo brakes do a superb job of bringing it again right down to zero rapidly. Whereas it will not be probably the most thrilling efficiency machine on observe, there’s extra to love concerning the Blazer SS on the highway.

It’s Nonetheless a Blazer

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Ferocious acceleration apart, the Blazer SS nonetheless feels very very like a Blazer. Which is to say, it is snug, quiet, and composed in practically all on-road conditions.

The up to date suspension isn’t so inflexible that it ruins the journey high quality of this in any other case fairly soft SUV—aside from some bounding over larger bumps due primarily to the car’s weight. The usual 22-inch wheels and lower-profile rubber do not worsen the journey in any measure, both, and the cabin remains to be totally quiet.

To maintain you snug on longer journeys, the cabin is plagued by just a few SS-specific upgrades. Full leather-based seats with heating and air flow come customary. There’s even a particular “SS” perforation sample on the seats that, nicely, do not take a look at it too intently.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cons: Imprecise Steering, Not That Thrilling, Feels Large & Heavy (As a result of It Is)

Weaving by means of Charlotte’s backroads, the Blazer SS is fast and competent. Not essentially thrilling, however competent. It has simply sufficient cornering agility to maintain issues fascinating, whereas the light-weight steering makes it simple to wind the mid-size SUV seamlessly by means of turns.

Granted, the Blazer SS will not blow you away in any efficiency measure, nevertheless it’s enjoyable sufficient to drive rapidly. The one factor you’ll discover, although—particularly on slim pavement like this—is how a lot area this SUV takes up within the lane. It feels large.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

A 17.7-inch touchscreen comes customary on the Blazer SS, and it seems to be pretty. That is additionally GM’s first Ultium car with in-car video streaming by way of apps like Max and Prime Video. However, it nonetheless does not supply Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

With 303 miles of EPA-estimated vary, the Blazer SS additionally has the longest vary of any of its rivals; the Wagoneer S solely will get 294 miles between fees by comparability. Plug right into a DC quick charger, and the Blazer will suck up electrons at a price of 190 kilowatts and recoup 78 miles of vary in simply 10 minutes.

SS or Cross?

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

With a beginning worth of $62,095, the Blazer EV SS undercuts its solely true competitor, the Jeep Wagoneer S, by just a few thousand {dollars}. Jeep asks $65,200 for its electrical mid-sizer for 2025. The extra premium Poletar 3 prices $80,800 with the Efficiency pack, and the smaller Mustang Mach-E GT begins at $54,490. Tesla at present doesn’t supply a Mannequin Y Efficiency on its latest Juniper mannequin, however the base mannequin begins at $48,990 for 2025.

Chevy principally took a Blazer EV and made it faster—method faster—in addition to a bit extra succesful round corners. In that respect, this SUV is tough to hate. It has all the identical consolation, quiet, and vary as a regular Blazer EV, with just a few further go-fast items to appease dad’s sporty aspect. However for those who have been hoping for a hardcore efficiency SUV, the Blazer EV SS isn’t that car.

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Supply: Jeff Perez / Motor1