The Chevrolet Blazer, introduced in 1969, was a truck-based, body-on-frame, two-door sport utility vehicle. It was based on the second-generation C/K Series full-sized trucks called the “Action Line” (1967-1972).

A Blazer remained in Chevy’s truck lineup through the Square Body era (1973-1991). It continued in the GMT400 era (1992-1994) before being replaced by the Chevy Tahoe. A compact truck-based S-10 Blazer was offered from 1983 through 2005.

After a 13-year hiatus, the Blazer nameplate returned in 2019. But the new sport utility vehicle had little in common with past Blazers.

The new Blazer is a two-row, mid-sized, unibody crossover utility based on GM’s C1XX platform. Styling is more car-like. Its design language is similar to the Chevrolet Camaro.

Like many Chevy enthusiasts, I had difficulty accepting the new Blazer. Read the posts and comments on social media, and there’s a consensus: The Blazer should be a full-sized, Silverado-based, body-on-frame, V-8-powered SUV, preferably with two doors. To Chevy fans, using the Blazer name on a crossover is sacrilege.

First impression

The all-electric “Blazer EV” was introduced in 2014. It’s based on GM’s Ultium platform. Blazer EV has nothing in common with the C1XX Blazers, except for its similar exterior design and name.

Blazer EVs are available in 1LT, 2LT, RS and SS and offer varying range, performance and efficiency.
Preconceived ideas of what the Blazer should be were set aside to objectively assess the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV.

My test vehicle was the top trim, high-performance Blazer EV SS (Super Sport) AWD (All-Wheel-Drive). 
Here again, I am grappling with bias. Super Sport Chevys are the muscle cars of my dreams—and they’re typically big-block V-8 powered beasts.

Using the SS badge on an electric SUV invokes cognitive dissonance. But seeing the Blazer EV SS begins to break down those preconceptions. It has charisma.

Styling

The Blazer EV SS has styling cues reminiscent of the sixth-generation Camaro. It’s more car-like than SUV-like. While not the styling direction I imagined for the Blazer’s comeback, it’s a good-looking sport utility. It works. It turns heads. People looked hard as it rolled by. More than once, someone walked up with the same question: “What is that?”

The Super Sport trim gives the Blazer EV bravado. The SS looks bold, intentional, aggressive. It triggers nostalgic vibes, too.

My test SS arrived in Habanero Orange—an audacious tint-coat metallic color nearly fire-engine red with a flash of Daytona Sunset. It’s a striking paint job and gives the SS swagger.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is modern, yet retro, especially around the Tri-Five-inspired HVAC vents. The Blazer is wide, and it’s quickly apparent when entering. It’s a big SUV — in a good way. Spacious up front, comfortable, excellent visibility and easy ingress and egress.

Technology is front and center with an 11-inch customizable instrument panel and a 17.7-inch infotainment display. Best detail: a big, round volume knob. Audio adjustments are quick and intuitive. HVAC controls are split between on-screen and physical controls: some on-screen, but temperature and frequently used controls are physical. Vent accent lighting is subtle—classy, but could be bolder.

The rear seats are tight for tall people. Headroom is limited by the fastback roofline, dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and the propulsion battery below.

The infotainment system is intuitive. The Bose audio system delivers standout sound quality.

Behind the wheel

The Blazer EV SS begs drivers to cruise just for fun. In traffic, it’s almost unfair. The Blazer can jump into a hole in traffic so quickly other drivers don’t have time to react. For a city driver with an assertive style, the combination of size, comfort and instant power is intoxicating.

Tech works well. Super Cruise is outstanding. Keep your eyes on the road and it handles everything else. Auto Park Assist is similar. It finds a spot and parks itself. Watching it work is entertaining.

Performance

In “Z / WOW” mode, the Blazer EV SS delivers 515 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque via dual-motors and all-wheel-drive. It advances from 0–to-60 miles per hour in about 3.4 seconds. That’s when preconceived notions crumbled.

It ran the quarter-mile in about 12 seconds at 119 mph. It could be quicker with better traction and warmer conditions. It’s stupid fast—“SS” suddenly makes sense.

The caveat is mass. The Blazer EV SS weighs about 5,730 pounds—Suburban-heavy. There’s only so much a near-6,000-pound vehicle can do on twisty backroads. It changes direction readily and can be driven aggressively, but it’s not particularly gratifying to push. The weight is always there.That’s classic SS logic. Super Sports from the ’60s and ’70s were straight-line monsters. They were less satisfying in corners. The Blazer EV SS corners better than many, but 5,730 pounds is still 5,730 pounds.

Steering is another nitpick. It’s too heavy and a bit numb, with no real improvement in any of the drive modes. Sport mode helps throttle response. However, steering feels artificial.

Economy and Pricing

The Blazer EV SS has a 102-kWh battery pack and has an EPA-estimated range of about 302 miles. It supports 190 kw DC fast charging. It takes about ten minutes to add 80 miles of range when the battery is preconditioned. My test vehicle charged at over 200 kWh on several occasions. Using about 60 percent of the battery’s capacity (80 to 20 percent), I achieved about 150 miles of range.

The 2026 Blazer EV SS AWD has an MSRP of $60,600. The addition of a panoramic power sunroof, CA emissions and performance package adds $2,390 for a total MSRP of $64,485, including destination. That’s a performance car bargain.

The Verdict

The 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS stands out with striking style, strong economy and aggressive performance. It’s not a truck. It’s not a big-block muscle car. But it’s a Chevrolet success. 

I had major reservations, but the Blazer EV SS shattered them.

Visit: https://www.chevrolet.com/electric/blazer-ev

_{Cover photo: 2026 Blazer EV SS presented in Habanero Orange – Photo copyright © John Berg 2026}