By now, we have seen carmakers bring back plenty of nameplates from the past. However, it seems no other nameplate has been on so many different vehicles than the Blazer. Chevrolet first introduced the model name back in 1969 and since then we have seen it on pick-up trucks, full-size and mid-size SUVs, and crossovers. Now, we are seeing it on an EV, in the form of the Chevrolet Blazer SS EV, and it looks like Chevy has put in the effort to make it one of the most exciting all-electric models yet. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Familiar styling, but an all-new platform

If the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer SS EV looks familiar that’s because its design is an evolution of the Chevy Blazer Crossover, introduced in 2019. With that said, the Blazer SS EV is not the conventional, bland SUV design that’s trying hard to be exciting. While some of the styling cues are similar, the proportions are a lot different. Thanks to the Ultium platform, which is specifically designed to underpin GM’s next-generation EV models, the Blazer SS EV sits lower to the ground and is wider than the 2019 crossover model.

Moreover, the new platform has allowed for a much wider stance and the design itself features a design that is a lot more sensual and akin to a performance model, which this is. The new design combines form and function. In addition to the elegant curves that give it a sportier look, the SS EV is generous in terms of interior space while providing excellent visibility.

It still has that Camaro-inspired front end, but with a twist

While we shouldn’t really call it GM’s corporate look, the front end is heavily inspired by the Chevy Camaro. The 2019 Chevy Blazer wasn’t really a stellar success, which is why saying that the SS EV’s front-end design is an evolution of that would not give it justice. However, the all-electric, 2024 Blazer has a neat trick up its sleeve and that’s the LED exterior lighting with choreographed walk-up animation. While only available on the RS and SS trims, it allows the car to interact with the driver as it approaches the vehicle. Look, we know it’s a gimmick, but it’s cool to think that your car is recognizing you and “greeting you” as you are approaching it.

A driver-centric cockpit

It’s clear that the Chevy Blazer SS EV wants to be a driver’s machine. Whether a crossover EV is capable of that remains to be seen even, though models like the Tesla Plaid, Ludic Air, and others are making a strong case for the performance of electric vehicles. The Blazer wants to nail the perfect driving position as it wraps around the driver and allows you to sit lower down (if you want to) compared to other EVs.

Nothing screams performance more than a flat-bottom steering wheel with an SS badge that’s just the right size. When I drove the Jaguar I-Pace a while back, I was impressed by the sheer luxury and baroque atmosphere they’ve managed to instill in the cockpit. The Blazer SS EV promises similar levels of finish while throwing in a bit more sportiness to the mix.

Enough performance to be worthy of the SS badge

The Ultium platform allows for either front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive setup. But what you really want to know is how much power the all-wheel-drive, SS variant makes. GM reckons that the Blazer EV SS will provide an output of up to 557 horsepower 410 kilowatts) and 648 pound-feet (878 Nm) Moreover, there’s a special Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode, which gives you full power and allows for a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint in under 4.0 seconds. The SS also comes with 22-inch wheels and Brembo brakes as standard.

Range and charging capabilities

The Chevy Blazer EV SS is capable of 290 miles (467 km) on a single charge. The Blazer comes with an 11.5 Kw onboard charging module for home charging. DC charging is available at up to 190 kW. This gives you 78 miles (125 km) of range in 10 minutes. Ultium Charge 360 is offered as standard on the Blazer EV and includes access to over 100,000 charging stations across the US and Canada.

How Much Does the Chevy Blazer EV Cost?

While the base model Chevy Blazer EV has a starting MSRP of $47,595, the range-topping SS model will start at $65,995. Summer of 2023 is set to be the official debut for the Blazer EV with the SS version coming later during the same year. With EVs like the 2024 Blazer coming out, it’s clear that performance vehicles as we know it are at an end. Models like the Chevy Blazer EV SS will do to performance cars what hot hatchbacks did with the compact, sporty coupes, known as “hairdresser” cars. Kill most, if not all of them, off.