2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was an attractive crossover, even if it didn't boast the futuristic design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged appearance of a Toyota RAV4. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller, offering a refreshing change from the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while garish against some paint colours, looked appealing on shades like Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with AWD as an option on the LS and LT trims in Canada, and standard on the RS and Premier.

The Equinox's design language shared similarities with the larger Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in its thick C-pillar and big windows, which contributed to a sense of spaciousness. Inside, the Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats across all trims in Canada. While the interior appeared somewhat dated with its small touchscreen and plastic buttons, it was practical and user-friendly. The PRNDL shift lever was a welcome feature, offering simplicity and ease of use. The Confidence and Convenience II package added valuable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and an HD surround-view camera, making it a recommended option despite its cost.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV represented a dramatic evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from its truck-based off-roader roots to a modern EV platform. Built around the General Motors Ultium component set, the Blazer EV shared a long wheelbase with the Cadillac Lyriq, though its proportions made it appear more like a stretch limo. Its design featured a tall hood, a rejiggered front end, and boomerang-shaped taillights, giving it a more assertive look compared to rival electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6.

The Blazer EV launched in LT and RS trims, with distinct styling elements for each. The LT featured a colour-coordinated front fascia, while the RS had a blacked-out front fascia and exterior accents. The interior of the RS and SS models included large round air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel, with optional red leather upholstery adding a fun touch. While some interior components felt flimsy, the Blazer EV mostly avoided the piano-black plastic trend. The Blazer EV's interior was spacious, though headroom and legroom were similar to the Mach-E and EV6. Cargo space was less than the gasoline Blazer, but it offered more than the EV6, with a presence-activated liftgate for convenience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to accelerate above 50 km/h, making it less suitable for highway driving. The Equinox used a six-speed automatic transmission, which held gears longer than newer transmissions, contributing to its noisy powertrain. AWD was available on all trims, but required manual activation via a button on the centre console. The Equinox featured an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth braking, and its suspension handled bumps well, offering a tight and accurate steering experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a single-motor RWD and a dual-motor AWD powertrain in the LT and RS trims. The RWD model had 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD model had 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. A forthcoming Blazer EV SS would feature a dual-motor AWD powertrain with 557 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque, capable of accelerating from zero to 96 km/h in under four seconds. The Blazer EV's RWD model was traction-limited, while the AWD version provided stronger acceleration. The Blazer EV's handling was precise, though its stiff suspension compromised comfort. It featured a steering-wheel paddle for regenerative braking, allowing for adjustable regen levels.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,809 litres with the seats folded. While it couldn't match the cargo capacity of competitors like the Honda CR-V, it outperformed the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with plenty of storage options, including cup holders, a centre console bin, and door pockets. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's interior felt spacious, though headroom and legroom were similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. Cargo space was 722 litres with the second row in place and 1,673 litres with the seats folded, less than the gasoline Blazer but more than the EV6. The Blazer EV lacked a frunk, unlike the Mach-E. The interior featured small-item storage, including a large phone parking space and a centre console bin. Some climate controls and headlight buttons were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a small touchscreen interface, with a 7-inch screen on the LS, LT, and RS trims, and an 8-inch screen on the Premier. While not as flashy as competitors' systems, the Equinox's infotainment was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, while all trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The upgraded driver-information display on higher trims provided useful features, and a Bose audio system was available on the RS and Premier trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a new Google-based infotainment system, featuring built-in Google apps and eliminating standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It included a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, both with sharp graphics. The system offered built-in route planning and OTA software updates. The user experience was mostly positive, though the touchscreen's angle was inconvenient for passengers. The Blazer EV featured a hands-free start sequence, marking a shift towards a high-tech feel.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on all trims except Premier. The Equinox lacked level two autonomous driving technology and received mixed safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but poor scores in some IIHS crash tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. It included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system was standard on the SS and optional on the RS, offering advanced driver assistance capabilities.