Chevrolet Blazer vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer presented a sleek and modern aesthetic, diverging from the rugged appearance typical of crossovers. It featured a low roofline with leaned-back pillars and a prominent grille framed by stacked headlights, giving it a road car-like profile. Despite this, the Blazer maintained the visual heft of an SUV, thanks to its tall ride height and robust body sides. The Blazer RS test vehicle stood out with its blackout trim, vibrant Red Hot paint, and 21-inch wheels, making it a striking choice in the mainstream crossover segment. For 2023, the Blazer received subtle styling updates, including new taillights with twisted, filament-like elements, and refreshed grille and LED headlight designs. These changes, along with new wheel designs and additional color options, kept the Blazer's styling fresh. Inside, the Blazer's sportier aesthetic was evident with an upright dashboard and large round air vents reminiscent of the Camaro. The RS model's interior was enhanced with blue trim, chrome accents, and a two-tone upholstery scheme, showcasing impressive material quality.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made its front end resemble a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The 2027 model continued the design of the 2023 version, blending the characteristics of a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV. The Bolt EV prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty stance, with the RS model adding minimal gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was relocated to the steering column, freeing up center console space. While the cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, the RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. The rear seating area, though lacking padding for door armrests, provided ample headroom and thigh support. The Bolt's interior was practical, with a flat floor and storage solutions that enhanced its utility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer carried over its powertrain options from the previous year, with most models equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer RS and select trims offered a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors that automatically switched between FWD and AWD. The V6-powered Blazer RS impressed with its quick acceleration and sporty exhaust note, though it wasn't a performance SUV. Its weight and top-heavy design affected handling, but the Blazer remained a pleasant highway cruiser with Active Noise Cancellation and a well-tuned suspension. The Blazer's 4,500-pound towing capacity was competitive for its class, but its car-based design limited off-road capabilities.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured significant changes under the surface, with a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack that reduced costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. A motor from the Chevy Equinox EV provided 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, achieving 0-60 mph in the low seven-second range. While not the fastest by EV standards, the Bolt's acceleration was impressive compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. One-pedal driving was available, with adjustable brake regeneration levels. The Bolt's ride was firm but not overly stiff, and its low center of gravity contributed to agile handling. The 2027 Bolt offered an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles, a 15-mile improvement over its predecessor. Charging speed increased to 150 kW, allowing for quick recharges. The Bolt's Tesla-derived NACS charge port and vehicle-to-load charging capability added to its practicality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer was a two-row, five-seat vehicle, offering a spacious feel from the driver's seat. Front-seat headroom was comparable to rivals like the Ford Edge and Honda Passport, while rear-seat headroom was slightly below average but better than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Blazer provided 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, trailing behind competitors like the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano. Despite this, the Blazer's design made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, with short overhangs and a clear windshield view. Functional interior details, such as USB port placement and air vent controls, added to its appeal.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping steering wheel extension, but the rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support. The Bolt's flat floor minimized discomfort for center-seat passengers. With 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, the Bolt was small for its class but still practical. A large bin beneath the floor and easy-to-reach rear seatback release latches enhanced cargo capacity. While lacking a frunk, the Bolt offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with dividers, a floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer received tech upgrades for 2023, with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen and available wireless device charging. The RS and Premier trims featured an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a user-friendly menu layout. While the Blazer lacked a dedicated camera view button, its tech presentation remained competitive in its segment.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, but Bluetooth pairing allowed for music streaming. The optional Technology package added features like a surround-view camera system and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was easy to use, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system helped locate charging stations and preconditioned the battery for optimal charging rates. Vehicle-to-load charging capability added versatility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Blazer offered a standard Chevy Safety Assist Package, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Adaptive cruise control was available on more trims for 2023. Optional safety features included blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system. The Blazer received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it lacked GM's Super Cruise system.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were pending, but it was expected to perform well based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Technology package added features like a surround-view camera system and rear-pedestrian alert. GM's Super Cruise system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs with such advanced technology.