2024 Genesis GV80 vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2024 Genesis GV80 and the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered strikingly different aesthetics and build philosophies. The GV80 was available in both 2.5T (turbocharged four-cylinder) and 3.5T (twin-turbocharged V6) models, with trim levels spanning Standard, Advanced, Prestige, and Prestige Signature. Its price tags ranged from $57,700 to $81,750, excluding a $1,350 destination charge. The test vehicle under review boasted the Prestige Signature trim and was dressed in a pricey Matterhorn White Matte paint job, which elevated its MSRP to $84,600.

The GV80 delivered a sophisticated luxury aesthetic accentuated by exterior colors such as Vik Black, Matterhorn White Matte, or Mauna Red paired with dark chrome trim and inconspicuous 22-inch wheels. However, while the Prestige Signature trim was richly equipped, its wheel design was critiqued for being too subtle. Inside, the GV80 was sheer opulence, with its Ultramarine Blue over Dune interior adorned with diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a faux-leather dashboard, matte wood trims, and metallic accents. The 3D digital instrument cluster and wide touchscreen further underscored its luxury flagship status.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, meanwhile, marked a significant evolution of its legacy nameplate, shifting from its truck-based off-roader roots to a modern EV. It utilized GM’s Ultium battery platform, with engineers adjusting the battery modules based on the model’s needs, thereby determining the wheelbase length. The Blazer EV’s long 121.8-inch wheelbase, shared with the Cadillac Lyriq, gave it a somewhat stretched appearance compared to rivals.

Stylistically, the Blazer EV maintained a commanding presence with its tall hood and aggressive front fascia, carried over from its gasoline counterpart, along with signature boomerang-shaped taillights. It launched in LT and RS trims, each featuring unique styling elements. The LT featured a monochromatic front fascia, while the RS came with a blacked-out front fascia and 21-inch wheels. The anticipated Blazer EV SS promised even more aggressive styling. The Blazer EV attempted to preserve traditional SUV aesthetics but with a modern twist unique among its competitors.

Under the hood, the 2024 Genesis GV80 was no slouch, offering two engine choices. The 2.5T variant featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Notably, the GV80’s 2.5T outpowered larger V6 engines in some competitors like the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60. The more potent 3.5T variant came equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. This engine's robust performance, however, came with a trade-off in fuel efficiency, observed at 17.2 mpg in combined driving compared to EPA's 20 mpg rating.

Both GV80 models paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive (AWD), offering multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow. The 3.5T variant enhanced its performance with bigger brakes and an adaptive suspension, providing a sporty yet comfortable drive. The GV80 was also designed with practicality in mind, offering 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV also offered robust powertrain options, with a single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup and a dual-motor AWD system in the LT and RS trims. The RWD model produced 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, married to a 102-kWh battery pack. Conversely, the AWD variant, though powered by two motors, generated 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque and utilized an 85-kWh battery pack. In an uncommon move, Chevy also planned a single-motor front-wheel-drive (FWD) powertrain for the Blazer EV LT from the 2025 model year.

The future Blazer EV SS was poised to cap the lineup with a dual-motor AWD powertrain, producing 557 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque, capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in under four seconds. Our test drives focused on the RWD and AWD RS models, both offering impressive acceleration. However, the RWD variant appeared somewhat traction-limited, whereas the AWD model demonstrated more robust off-the-line performance.

Comparatively, the Blazer EV felt more agile than the Cadillac Lyriq, but also less comfortable on rougher roads, sacrificing ride comfort for handling precision. The Blazer EV resonated well with enthusiasts, thanks to its precise steering and adjustable regenerative braking, adding a level of driver engagement often absent in EVs.

Inside, the 2024 Genesis GV80 combined luxury with function, though some compromises existed. Only the 3.5T Advanced trim offered a third-row seat in 2024, while the Prestige Signature trim featured four power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats accompanied by a large center console, limiting passenger capacity and practicality. Missing out on the GV80 for a family trip in favor of a five-seater Jeep Gladiator underscored this limitation, despite the Genesis's luxurious appointments.

The GV80 offered materials ranging from artificial to premium leather, emphasizing comfort with standard heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a hands-free liftgate. More luxurious trims added features like a panoramic glass roof, triple-zone climate control, and ventilated seats with massage functions.

Yet, passenger comfort seemed lacking on long drives, with seats that felt like “bubble wrap” and limited rear legroom. On the flip side, its cargo capacity was generous, offering 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 84 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the Prestige Signature’s rear console could impede larger items.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, while stylish, didn’t maximize the spatial benefits of its electric architecture. Headroom and legroom figures were virtually on par with sleeker rivals like the Mustang Mach-E and EV6. Cargo capacity was another area where the Blazer EV fell short, offering 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and 59.1 cubic feet with seats folded—less than the gasoline Blazer and slightly less than the Mach-E, which also featured a frunk.

Despite its limitations, the Blazer EV did provide ample storage for small items, including secure phone parking and a decent-sized center console. It also featured some ergonomic quirks, such as touchscreen-based climate and headlight controls, that required a bit of adaptation.

In terms of technology, the 2024 Genesis GV80 was in its final year of offering analog gauges, with the Prestige trims showcasing a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. All GV80 models sported a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though its placement favored the use of the center-console-mounted control dial over touch interaction.

The infotainment system included navigation, SiriusXM, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, alongside Genesis Connected Services and, for the first time in 2024, Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Wireless charging was standard, with the Prestige Signature adding this feature for the second row. Despite using wired smartphone connectivity, streaming music via Bluetooth was seamless, and the voice recognition system proved user-friendly.

Genesis also introduced a digital key system for using smartphones to unlock and start the GV80. Higher trims came with a Lexicon premium sound system, soon to be replaced by Bang & Olufsen components. A Head-Up Display (HUD) was also standard on top trims, offering critical driving information and blind-spot warnings.

On the other hand, the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV debuted Chevy’s new Google-based infotainment system, featuring built-in Google apps such as Maps and Assistant. Unlike many competitors, Chevy eliminated standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay but supplemented this loss with a 17.7-inch touchscreen and 11-inch digital instrument cluster, each with sharp graphics.

The infotainment system also offered built-in route planning that automatically identified charging stations and enabled OTA software updates for new features. Despite a generally favorable user experience, the driver-centric touchscreen and lack of physical controls required some adjustment. Additionally, the Blazer EV featured a seamless hands-free start system, enhancing its modern, high-tech feel.

The Genesis GV80 came equipped with numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS). Key features included a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). Although HDA worked well in lighter traffic, it proved less effective in heavy, fast-moving traffic, where frequent lane-changing prompted unnecessary braking and power surges.

One standout feature was the Blind-Spot View Monitor, offering a live video feed of blind spots when signaling a lane change, displayed within the digital instrument cluster. The GV80 also featured a Remote Smart Parking Assist system, allowing for autonomous parking from outside the vehicle via the key fob.

In terms of crash safety, the GV80 received top marks. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, albeit with four-star ratings in the frontal-impact tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's crash-test results were not available at the time of review. However, it came standard with safety features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Optional aids included reverse automatic braking and park assist, alongside GM’s renowned Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist system, which managed speed, following distance, and lane centering.