Is the 2025 Chevy Blazer RS EV worth $54,295—or is there a better EV for the money?
Chevrolet’s foray into the EV market hasn't exactly been smooth. In fact, they’ve oscillated between abject failures, like the Volt, and confusing withdrawals like the Bolt. The bowtie-shaped badge is now hoping to get it right with the Blazer EV—and they may have found the sweet spot with its penultimate trim—the Blazer EV RS.
Entering a crowded market with the Blazer EV RS
The Blazer EV RS is attempting to force its way into a very competitive segment. With an MSRP of $54,295, the Blazer RS is positioning itself as a serious contender in the hotly contested premium crossover market. This category includes major players from the EV market, solid competition from Asian automakers, an American icon, and some precision-engineered German offerings. So, can it hold its own?
What the Blazer EV RS offers
The EPA rates the Blazer EV RS at 279 miles on a single charge. However, Edmunds suggests you can squeeze out closer to 320 miles before needing a recharge. The vehicle also earns a combined 98 MPGe rating, which equates to 97 MPG in a standard gasoline car.
The Blazer EV RS produces 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. As with most EVs, that power translates almost instantly to the road, making it feel agile and responsive. It also comes with premium features like heated and ventilated seats, many of which overlap with the higher-performance Blazer EV SS.
Head-to-head: Blazer EV RS vs. Tesla Model Y Performance
The most famous EV in this price bracket is the Tesla Model Y Performance. With an EPA-estimated range of 277 miles, a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, and an eight-year or 120,000-mile powertrain warranty, it sets a high standard. The Tesla badge alone will carry a lot of weight for many buyers, making it the default choice for a lot of consumers.
Related: 2025 Chevy Blazer EV debuts with $45,995 base price, FWD option, and powerful SS trim
The Model Y also nearly matches the significantly more expensive Blazer SS in terms of acceleration, despite being close to $10,000 cheaper. And unless you have a stopwatch handy, most people won’t notice a tenth-of-a-second difference in acceleration.
Competing in a packed segment
There’s a long list of similar SUVs competing with the Blazer EV RS in terms of class and price. We’re talking about the Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Mustang Mach-E, and Nissan Ariya, just to name a few. It’s a segment that North America seems to be particularly fond of at the moment, hitting that sweet spot between full-sized SUV and what used to be the station wagon. With so much competition, Chevy will have to go all out if they want to stand out.
Is the Blazer EV RS a worthy contender?
If we’re judging purely on performance, then the Chevrolet Blazer EV RS is quite competitive. The Tesla Model Y has long dominated this price bracket in terms of 0-60 times, but the Blazer EV RS is right up there with it.
But you don’t buy these vehicles based solely on performance. Tesla has made significant strides in quality control recently, but its reputation for lapses in build quality may give Chevy an edge in terms of overall refinement. A legacy automaker like Chevrolet is unlikely to let a panel gap or paint mismatch slip through the cracks.
If you’re in the market for a performance-oriented, small SUV, Chevy’s latest effort with the Blazer EV RS might just be worth a serious look. However, the Tesla still has an edge in terms of technology stack, user interface and ease of charging.