Electrical SUV Critiques — Chevy Blazer EV, Volkswagen ID.4, And Honda Prologue

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The electrical SUV ought to be the candy spot for the EV revolution in America, the place SUVs and pickup vehicles account for almost all of recent automobile gross sales. That is the place the battle for the hearts and minds of customers is being fought. Automotive and Driver not too long ago did a head-to-head comparability between the Chevy Blazer EV and the Volkswagen ID.4, each of that are manufactured within the US. Individually, Tom’s Information reviewed the all new Honda Prologue SUV.

The evaluations targeted on all the same old stuff — rear seat leg room, carrying capability, battery measurement — however Automotive and Driver additionally did electrical automobile followers a favor by specializing in effectivity, vary, and charging velocity. My spouse and I not too long ago accomplished a jaunt by the Inexperienced Mountains of Vermont, the place charging velocity was one of many major issues throughout that journey.

Automotive and Driver examined the ID.4 Professional S and the Chevy Blazer LT and mentioned each of them have been “aimed proper down the middle of Important Road, U.S.A.” The EPA rated the ID.4 at 102 MPGe, whereas the Blazer has a 96 MPGe ranking. In testing, the Chevy returned 103 MPGe to the Volkswagen’s 117. The Equinox did squeeze out 260 miles within the 75 mph freeway check, whereas the ID.4 trailed at 240 miles. That’s due largely to completely different battery sizes. The ID.4 has a 77 kWh battery, whereas the Blazer has an 85 kWh pack. Chevy says the Equinox can fast-charge at as much as 150 kilowatts, whereas VW claims the ID.4 can take 175 kilowatts. AC charging is principally a wash, with the Chevy’s 11.5 kW functionality edging out the ID.4’s 11.0 kW by a hair.

However out on the superslab the place charging time is a crucial metric, the Volkswagen was the clear winner. On a 350 kW quick charger with the battery going from 10 to 90 %, the Equinox EV began at 150 kilowatts, peaked at 158, and averaged 94 kilowatts over the cost. Underneath the identical situations, the ID.4 began at 171 kilowatts, peaked at 186, and averaged 109 kilowatts. Charging to 90 % required 51 minutes within the Equinox and 37 minutes within the ID.4. That’s a substantial hole, Automotive and Driver notes, however every automaker has its personal charging technique that takes into consideration elements corresponding to preserving battery life. Two further unofficial charging classes at 350 kW chargers in Ohio and Indiana confirmed the findings. Each time, the ID.4 completed first, whatever the climate or the tools. That could be an necessary consideration for many who anticipate to take highway journeys with their electrical SUV.

Efficiency-wise, the Volkswagen, with 335 horsepower, touches 60 mph from relaxation in 4.8 seconds and does the quarter mile in 13.5 seconds. The Blazer EV makes do with 288 horsepower. With extra weight and fewer grunt, it’s a second behind the ID.4 to 60 mph and within the quarter mile. Neither determine is a priority for many drivers. Many people keep in mind a time when any automobile that obtained to 60 in underneath 10 seconds was thought-about fast. Automobiles that may do it in half that point are a delight irrespective of who makes them.

Automotive and Driver spends a whole lot of time evaluating the touchscreens, journey high quality, and such. Suffice to say, each automobile has its personal character and consumers will need to drive every of them earlier than making a call. The Blazer obtained demerits for wallowing within the dealing with division, whereas the ID.4 obtained dinged for a mushy brake pedal. Each vehicles obtained downrated for digital points. Electrical vehicles from Volkswagen are well-known for glitchy electronics, whereas GM has determined to make Apple Automotive Play and Android Auto unavailable in its newest choices. The ID.4 has more room for stuff behind the rear seat than the Blazer, however the Blazer has GM’s Tremendous Cruise as an choice — a step up from the driving force help options within the ID.4

Pricewise, the ID.4 Professional S electrical SUV lists for $55,300 whereas the Blazer LT prices $50,795. Take note the Professional S is the highest spec for the Volkswagen. The upmarket Blazer EV RS begins are $52,900. The 2024 ID.4 is alleged to be eligible for the total federal EV tax incentive of $7,500 however you may need to confirm that before you purchase. Some earlier variations weren’t. The Blazer EV can also be eligible or the total tax credit score. Burger King or McDonald’s? Coke or Pepsi? Both the Volkswagen ID.4 or the Chevy Blazer EV is an effective alternative in case you are searching for an electrical SUV to place in your driveway.

Driving The Honda Prologue Electrical SUV

Writing for Tom’s Information, John Velasco says the Honda Prologue electrical SUV is “essentially the most underrated electrical automobile I’ve examined this 12 months.” For many who don’t know, the Honda is constructed on the GM manufacturing facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Subsequently, there are specific features of it which might be almost equivalent to the Blazer EV, each of that are constructed on the identical Ultium platform developed by GM. For example, it had the identical 288 horsepower ranking because the Blazer EV, the identical 85 kWh battery, and roughly the identical vary — 273 miles.

That being mentioned, Velasco praised the Prologue for its styling, which is typical of Honda — clean, refined, and polished. The variations are additionally on the within, which options the identical consideration to element that SUVs from Honda just like the Passport and Pilot are identified for. The Prologue begins at $57,900 and, just like the Blazer EV, it’s eligible for the total federal tax credit score.

The Honda Prologue’s effectivity obtained higher the extra he drove it, Velasco says, reaching 3.4 mi/kWh by the tip. In comparison with the Lyriq and Blazer EV, which obtained 2.7 mi/kWh and three.2 mi/kWh respectively, the Prologue simply surpassed them, despite the fact that it has the identical 85 kWh battery because the Blazer EV. The distinction, apparently, is that the Honda had considerably higher aerodynamic effectivity than the Blazer. We presume charging the Prologue is kind of just like the charging efficiency of the Blazer EV as effectively, since they’re primarily the identical automobile underneath the pores and skin.

Velasco lauded the digital head-up show within the Prologue, saying it “is unquestionably greater than most different head-up shows I’ve seen, which is useful whereas driving as a result of it reveals my velocity and navigation directions. Because it’s additionally sharp wanting, I by no means have any bother making out the head-up show. That mentioned, it may find yourself being a tad bit distracting for those who set its brightness too excessive at evening. Nonetheless, it’s extremely helpful getting all of my necessary driving particulars with out wanting right down to both of the EV’s shows.” In a world the place the variations between varied vehicles are fairly small, that one characteristic could possibly be the one which prompts an electrical SUV purchaser to decide on the Honda Prologue over the competitors.

Velasco additionally praised the big sunroof within the Prologue, which extends backwards in order that rear seat passengers also can take pleasure in contemporary air. What gained’t please many potential consumers is that the Prologue affords adaptive cruise management however no lane centering, which is curious as a result of most of it GM cousins do provide that characteristic. Velasco additionally slammed the operation and measurement of the central touchscreen. “Every thing concerning the software program feels dated. I assumed the Toyota bZ4X was unhealthy on this space, however the Prologue comes shut,” he wrote.

The Takeaway

The electrical SUV market is the place the EV revolution in America might be gained or misplaced. Listed below are three candidates, every with their strengths and weaknesses. All are related in value and all are eligible for the federal tax credit score which, turned a point-of-purchase rebate for those who lease firstly of 2024. There may be not one automobile made in the present day that ticks all of the bins for each driver. Automotive and Driver mentioned they like the ID.4 over the Blazer EV, primarily as a result of it fees sooner on journeys. However the Blazer EV has considerably extra adventurous styling, which can enchantment to some. The Prologue, then again, appears to be like so mainstream that most individuals gained’t know it’s an electrical SUV for those who don’t inform them. That in itself could enchantment to some consumers.

From our aerie excessive atop Mount Olympus, the employees at CleanTechnica recommends you pattern all of the fashions accessible in your space, then select the one which places the largest grin in your face, as a result of there’s nothing fairly just like the journey and really feel of an electrical automobile. Oh, positive, there are some who gained’t like several of them, however when you expertise the quiet journey, the considerable torque, and the calmness of an electrical SUV, you’ll by no means need to return to what you have been driving earlier than.