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

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The electrical SUV needs to be the candy spot for the EV revolution in America, the place SUVs and pickup vans account for almost all of latest automobile gross sales. That is the place the battle for the hearts and minds of shoppers is being fought. Automotive and Driver just lately 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 critiques centered on all the standard 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 pace. My spouse and I just lately accomplished a jaunt via the Inexperienced Mountains of Vermont, the place charging pace was one of many major concerns throughout that journey.

Automotive and Driver examined the ID.4 Professional S and the Chevy Blazer LT and stated each of them have been “aimed proper down the middle of Predominant Road, U.S.A.” The EPA rated the ID.4 at 102 MPGe, whereas the Blazer has a 96 MPGe score. 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 principally to totally 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 essential 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 circumstances, 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 under consideration components corresponding to preserving battery life. Two extra unofficial charging periods at 350 kW chargers in Ohio and Indiana confirmed the findings. Each time, the ID.4 completed first, whatever the climate or the gear. Which may be an vital consideration for many who count on to take street 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 received to 60 in underneath 10 seconds was thought-about fast. Vehicles that may do it in half that point are a delight irrespective of who makes them.

Automotive and Driver spends a variety of time evaluating the touchscreens, journey high quality, and such. Suffice to say, each automobile has its personal character and customers will wish to drive every of them earlier than making a choice. The Blazer received demerits for wallowing within the dealing with division, whereas the ID.4 received dinged for a mushy brake pedal. Each automobiles received downrated for digital points. Electrical automobiles 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 extra space 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 motive 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. Remember the Professional S is the highest spec for the Volkswagen. The upmarket Blazer EV RS begins are $52,900. The 2024 ID.4 is claimed to be eligible for the total federal EV tax incentive of $7,500 however you would possibly wish to confirm that before you purchase. Some earlier variations weren’t. The Blazer EV can 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 efficient alternative if you’re on the lookout 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 yr.” For individuals who don’t know, the Honda is constructed on the GM manufacturing facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Due to this fact, there are specific points of it which are 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 score because the Blazer EV, the identical 85 kWh battery, and roughly the identical vary — 273 miles.

That being stated, 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 recognized 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 received 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 received 2.7 mi/kWh and three.2 mi/kWh respectively, the Prologue simply surpassed them, though 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 properly, since they’re basically 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 exhibits my pace and navigation directions. Because it’s additionally sharp wanting, I by no means have any bother making out the head-up show. That stated, it may find yourself being a tad bit distracting in case you set its brightness too excessive at night time. Nonetheless, it’s extremely helpful getting all of my vital driving particulars with out wanting all the way down to both of the EV’s shows.” In a world the place the variations between numerous automobiles are fairly small, that one function could possibly be the one which prompts an electrical SUV purchaser to decide on the Honda Prologue over the competitors.

Velasco additionally praised the large sunroof within the Prologue, which extends backwards in order that rear seat passengers can even get pleasure from contemporary air. What gained’t please many potential customers is that the Prologue presents adaptive cruise management however no lane centering, which is curious as a result of most of it GM cousins do supply that function. Velasco additionally slammed the operation and measurement of the central touchscreen. “Every thing concerning the software program feels dated. I believed 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 here are three candidates, every with their strengths and weaknesses. All are related in worth and all are eligible for the federal tax credit score which, grew to become a point-of-purchase rebate in case you lease initially of 2024. There’s not one automobile made in the present day that ticks all of the packing containers for each driver. Automotive and Driver stated they like the ID.4 over the Blazer EV, primarily as a result of it expenses quicker on journeys. However the Blazer EV has considerably extra adventurous styling, which can enchantment to some. The Prologue, however, seems to be so mainstream that most individuals gained’t know it’s an electrical SUV in case you don’t inform them. That in itself might enchantment to some patrons.

From our aerie excessive atop Mount Olympus, the employees at CleanTechnica recommends you pattern all of the fashions obtainable in your space, then select the one which places the most important 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 ample torque, and the calmness of an electrical SUV, you’ll by no means wish to return to what you have been driving earlier than.