Chevrolet Blazer EV vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV was a standout in the electric crossover SUV market, boasting a sharp and sporty design reminiscent of the iconic Camaro muscle car. Its sleek profile, characterized by a narrow bar of lights and exaggerated flared fenders, gave it an athletic stance that set it apart from more conventionally styled electric SUVs. The interior echoed the Camaro theme with sporty round air vents and faceted screens dominating the dashboard, complemented by contrast stitching for a subtle yet racy personality. However, despite its initial appeal, the Blazer EV's interior revealed some hard plastic elements and minor flaws in stitching and leather seams, which might have been noticeable to those familiar with luxury vehicles.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was available in two trim levels in Canada: Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy. It integrated seamlessly into the gas-only Palisade lineup, offering a stylish and impressive presence across all trims. The base Luxury trim featured 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille with horizontal slats, framed by LED projector headlights and LED daytime running lights. The Palisade's interior was equally impressive, with H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, eight-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and three-stage heating elements. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered luxurious Nappa leather upholstery and a thoughtfully designed interior filled with organic shapes and well-engineered storage solutions, providing a richer feeling of craftsmanship compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a range of powertrain choices, making it a versatile option for different driving preferences. The LT and RS trims came standard with two electric motors for all-wheel-drive (AWD), producing 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated range of 455 kilometres on a full charge. The front-wheel drive (FWD) option extended the range to 502 kilometres, while the rear-wheel drive (RWD) Blazer EV RS offered 340 horsepower and a range of 538 kilometres. The high-performance SS trim boasted 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, accelerating from zero to 96 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. The Blazer EV's suspension was firm, providing a smooth ride on most surfaces, but the steering required constant adjustments on highways. The vehicle's AC charge rate was 11.5 kW, with DC fast charging capability up to 190 kW.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and propulsion systems contributed to its impressive performance, allowing the Palisade to handle smoothly and efficiently. The hybrid system optimized power distribution, resulting in more power while consuming less fuel. The Palisade's cabin was notably quiet, with noise-absorbing carpet and acoustic glass keeping road and engine noise at bay. The steering was sharp and responsive, although the pedal feel was a bit soft. Overall, the Palisade Hybrid offered a delightful driving experience, combining power, efficiency, and comfort.

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV provided good support and cushioning in the front seats, with a massive touchscreen placed high on the dash for easy access. The rear seats offered ample legroom, although headroom was more limited. The Blazer EV could hold up to 722 litres of cargo, with a flat space and a standard hands-free power liftgate for easy loading. However, the climate control system took a long time to heat the cabin on cold days, and the placement of the brake regeneration paddle was inconveniently close to the audio controls.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others like the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90. The second-row legroom was slightly reduced due to the battery's position, but the third row offered decent space. The Palisade's cabin was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control, seven USB-C power outlets, and a second-row bench seat for eight passengers. The centre console featured a rubberized cargo space, and the vehicle was equipped with numerous cubbies for smaller items, providing a practical and user-friendly interior.

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV came with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, digital instrument panel, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system ran on the Google Built-in platform, offering quick response times and clear displays. However, the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant drawback, making it less convenient for smartphone users. The standard six-speaker audio system lacked punch, with an eight-speaker Bose upgrade available only on the SS trim.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The standard Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows, and a 14-speaker Bose stereo was available on higher trims. The Palisade also introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the gas engine was off. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a built-in dashcam, providing added convenience and security.

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV received five stars in all crash tests conducted by the NHTSA for the RWD model, with the AWD model receiving four stars for rollover protection. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. GM's Super Cruise automated hands-free driving system was available as an option, providing a useful but not flawless driving experience.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on the XRT Pro and up, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. Although the 2026 Palisade had not been crash-tested at the time of writing, the 2025 model received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.