A new Chevy versus Ford rivalry is brewing, and this next-generation tale of the tape brings the first EVs from each to wear the top-tier SS and GT badges.
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Chevy has just taken the wraps off its all-electric Blazer, which will go on sale in the summer of 2023.
The Blazer clearly has Ford’s Mustang Mach-E in its sights with similar specs, styling, utility and pricing.
The Blazer is going to be available in a wide array of configurations, including front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. So right out of the gate it one ups Ford, which doesn’t offer a front-wheel-drive only configuration for the Mach-E.
When it comes to range, GM is estimating up to 320-miles per charge for its most fuel-efficient Blazer, while the most fuel-efficient Mach-E is rated at 314-miles per charge.
The Blazer also tops the Mach-E’s charging speed. Chevrolet says the Blazer can add juice at a peak rate of up to 190 kilowatts, while the Mach-E’s official peak is 150, although I personally have seen a regular peak speed of up to 155 kilowatts for my personal 2022 Mach-E AWD Premium extended range edition.
What that means in real life: When conditions are ideal the Mach-E can add about 60 miles of range in ten minutes while the Blazer can add about 78 miles in ten minutes.
Moving on to what motorheads really care about: performance. Chevrolet says the Blazer SS will get to 60 miles per hour in “under four seconds,” while Ford claims its Mach-E GT-Performance can get there in 3.5 seconds.
The top SS trim beats the Mach-E GT-Performance on paper with GM estimating it will have an estimated 557 horsepower and up to 648 LB-FT of torque, compared to the Mach-E’s 480 horsepower and 600 LB-FT of torque.
Chevy is also estimating the top SS will have a range of up to 290 miles, while the EPA gives the GT-Performance an estimated range of 260 miles.
But don’t count the Mach-E out yet, since Ford is also showing off a Shelby version of its Mach-E that’s currently under development. And, Ford has already developed a habit of increasing range between model years.
Ford and Chevy have gone in different directions with their interiors with Chevy more closely mimicking the feel of a sports car, although it’s an SUV, and Ford going for a more minimalistic look.
Both interiors carry a few family styling cues with the Blazer’s air conditioning vents mimicking the Camaro, while the Mach-E’s dual cowl mimics the Mustang.
The Mach-E’s interior leans more heavily into its big vertical touchscreen to control things like the air conditioner, while Chevy provides more overall physical controls, which in my book is a plus.
Chevy hasn’t released battery-sizes yet, but based on performance and range projections, they too look as though they will be similar to the Ford.
Both cars offer true hands-free interstate driving with Chevrolet’s Super Cruise and Ford’s Blue Cruise, although Ford’s system doesn’t currently offer automatic lane changes.
Pricing looks to be neck and neck with the Blazer projected to base at just under $45,000, while the Mach-E’s current base price is just under $44,000.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Blazer but one thing is for sure, a new, electrified-generation of competition between Ford and Chevy is here.
If you’ve enjoyed this edition of EV Rider check out this road test review of the Mach-E GT Performance and please subscribe to my YouTube channel and give this video a like so I can bring you more adventures in EV motoring.