The battle for electric vehicle supremacy is on, and Tesla is far from the only player these days. The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E is selling faster than the Blue Oval can build it, even outpacing the gas-powered Mustang. But the Mach-E no longer has the market to itself, with new options arriving from around the automotive industry. General Motors is finally jumping into the affordable EV segment with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, which will arrive summer 2023.
With a wide range of trim levels, including a sporty SS trim to take on the Mach-E GT, the Blazer EV looks like it will have what it takes to steal sales from Chevy's Detroit rival. How do the Blazer EV and Mach-E stack up on paper? Let's find out.
Exterior Design: Electric Icons
Ford took a lot of flak when it attached the Mustang name to an electric crossover, but many of the Mach-E's styling elements look like they belong on a two-door sports car. The headlights are sleek and aggressive, while the three-piece taillights are styled to look just like the conventional Mustang. Some Mach-E trim levels look better than others depending on their wheels, but we particularly love the performance GT model and the special Ice White Edition.
As for the Blazer EV, it looks similar to the current gas-powered model - which has already been likened to a Camaro SUV - but adds some futuristic cues like a full-length LED light bar that also conveys the state of charge and muscular front-fender extractor vents. RS and SS trims receive choreographed lighting sequences, which activate when the driver approaches with the key. The lower 1LT and 2LT trims ride on aerodynamic 19-inch wheels, the RS gets sport 21-inch wheels, and the SS maxes out with monster 22-inch wheels.
Interior Design: Tale Of The Tech
The Mach-E has perhaps the best interior we've seen from Ford in a long time (not counting Lincoln). It impresses with a massive 15.5-inch vertically-oriented touchscreen in the center with a short 10-inch screen in front of the driver to display speed and other basic information. The cabin layout feels very open with lots of storage space and an airy glass roof that unfortunately doesn't open or have a shade. All of the materials feel befitting of the price and wouldn't feel out of place in a luxury car.
Whereas Ford kept things more simple, Chevy went bold on the interior. A giant 17.7-inch touchscreen comes standard on all trims, paired with an 11-inch touchscreen and available head-up display. Unlike the Mach-E, the optional Blazer's panoramic roof comes with a closable shade, and it can be opened for some additional air. We like the premium-feeling Mach-E interior, but the Blazer offers more wow factor with available red seats and orange accents on the SS model.
Range & Performance: SS vs GT
Ford is currently sold out of 2022 Mach-E stock, so some configurations are not currently available to order. When all trims are accounted for, Ford offers the Mach-E with two different battery packs (68 kWh usable and 88 kWh usable) each available with rear-drive or all-wheel-drive. The least powerful model with the Standard Range pack and RWD produces 266 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, while the GT delivers 480 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque (634 lb-ft in the GT Performance Edition). Ford says the GT can hit 60 mph in 3.8 seconds (3.5 in Performance guise). As for the range, the Mach-E varies from 211 miles on the low end to 305 miles on the California Route 1.
We don't have full specs for the Blazer yet, including any battery sizes, but we have some rough range estimates. The base 1LT goes 247 miles on a charge, while the RS tops out a 320 miles. We only have performance metrics for the SS, which produces 557 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque from dual electric motors. Chevy says the WOW (Wide Open Watts) mode will enable a sub-four-second 0-60 sprint, likely splitting the difference between the two GT models. GM's hands-free Super Cruise technology will be available, which we prefer to Ford's Blue Cruise.
Pricing & Verdict: A Tight Race
Once again, Ford doesn't currently have all Mach-E trims in stock, but pricing starts at $43,895 for the base Select trim. Stepping up to the Premium costs $48,775 while the longest range CA Route 1 is $52,450. As for the high-performance GT, it costs $61,995 (plus $6,000 for the Performance Edition).
The base Blazer EV 1LT and 2LT will not undercut the Mach-E on pricing at $44,995 and $47,595, respectively, but they will deliver better range and likely more interior volume. The RS nearly matches the California Route 1 on price at $51,995. In terms of raw acceleration, the SS is best-matched against the GT, but it's a bit more expensive starting at $65,995. Clearly, Ford and GM are about to have another one of their epic battles only this time, the Camaro or a real Mustang aren't participating.