2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its rugged heritage while aligning with contemporary Land Rover aesthetics. Inside, the Defender diverged from its siblings, offering a more robust and adventure-ready cabin reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet with superior soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each with various trims like the S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, equipped with the County visual package, highlighted its retro appeal with white wheels and vintage graphics, though it also catered to those preferring modern styling with aggressive packs.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV marked a significant evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from its truck-based origins to a car-based crossover and now to an electric platform. Built on the General Motors Ultium component set, the Blazer EV shared a long wheelbase with the Cadillac Lyriq, though its proportions gave it a stretched appearance. Its design featured a tall hood, a reimagined front end, and boomerang-shaped taillights, exuding more attitude than rival EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. The Blazer EV launched in LT and RS trims, with the LT offering a color-coordinated front fascia and the RS featuring blacked-out accents. The forthcoming SS model promised unique styling and mechanical elements, including a black roof and 22-inch wheels.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, delivering 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, provided 493 hp and 450 lb-ft, and 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity reached up to 7,716 pounds with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, particularly with the Defender X trim, which included an adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system. Our P400 model offered ample power for highway driving, though it exhibited slight lurching at low speeds, likely due to its off-road gearing.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain in the LT and RS trims. RWD models boasted 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque with a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, while AWD models had 288 hp and 333 lb-ft with an 85-kWh pack. Uniquely, the dual-motor AWD had a lower output than the single-motor RWD. A single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) option was planned for the 2025 model year. The Blazer EV SS performance model promised a dual-motor AWD powertrain with 557 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in under four seconds. Our drive of the RWD and AWD Blazer EV RS models revealed strong acceleration, though the RWD felt traction-limited. The Blazer EV excelled on twisty roads with precise steering but sacrificed comfort due to its stiff suspension. Regenerative braking was adjustable via a steering-wheel paddle, enhancing driver involvement.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. It accommodated between five and eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, best suited for children, while the Defender 130 increased seating capacity to eight but remained limited in space. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 providing up to 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 78.8 cubic feet in its two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 provided up to 58.3 cubic feet. Our test model's cargo area featured hard plastic surfaces, enhancing practicality and ease of cleaning.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, despite its traditional SUV appearance, offered interior dimensions similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. It lacked the commanding driving position of a traditional SUV, with high side sills and a deep dashboard creating a unique feel. Cargo space measured 25.5 cubic feet with the second row in place and 59.1 cubic feet with seats folded, less than the gasoline Blazer but more than the EV6. The Blazer EV featured a "presence activated" liftgate and ample small-item storage, though some climate controls and headlight buttons were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the touchscreen was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian nature. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup blended refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation of features like Apple CarPlay.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a new Google-based infotainment system, eliminating standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster with sharp graphics. The system included built-in route planning and over-the-air updates. The user experience was generally positive, though the touchscreen's angle favored the driver, making it less accessible for passengers. The Blazer EV also offered a hands-free start sequence, marking a shift toward a high-tech feel.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender included standard driver assistance features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist were noted as overly sensitive, but could be deactivated. Crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Optional aids included reverse automatic braking, park assist, and the Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system. Super Cruise maintained speed and following distance while keeping the vehicle centered in its lane. Crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.