2025 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV represented a significant evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from its truck-based off-roader origins to a modern electric SUV. It borrowed styling cues from the 2019 car-based crossover model, but was built on a new EV-specific platform. The Blazer EV was constructed around its battery pack, with a wheelbase determined by the number of battery modules. The larger battery pack shared its size with the Cadillac Lyriq, resulting in a long 121.8-inch wheelbase. The Blazer EV's design featured a tall hood, a modified front end, and boomerang-shaped taillights, giving it a more aggressive look compared to other electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. It was notably larger than these rivals, with a length and width advantage.

The Blazer EV launched with LT and RS trim levels, each offering distinct styling elements. The LT featured a color-coordinated front fascia, while the RS had a blacked-out front fascia and exterior accents. Wheel sizes varied, with the LT on 19-inch wheels and the RS on 21-inch wheels. The forthcoming Blazer EV SS promised unique styling and mechanical features. Inside, the RS and SS models boasted a distinctive interior with large round air vents, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and optional red leather upholstery. While some interior components felt flimsy, the Blazer EV's cabin was mostly free of the piano-black plastic found in other brands, offering a more engaging and fun atmosphere.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S hardtop, encountered during a rental experience in Hawaii, was a black-on-black model with dark gray wheels. Despite the heat-absorbing color combination, the Wrangler's appeal lay in its open-air driving experience, with removable overhead panels and a liftglass. The Wrangler was available in various trims, including the powerful Rubicon 392 with a 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine. The rental Sport S had a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, priced at $49,175 with options like black paint, a hardtop, and a Convenience Group. The Wrangler's interior featured gray fabric dashboard trim, metallic accents, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Designed for rugged use, the Wrangler prioritized function over form, with a focus on off-road capability and American freedom.

Despite its high price, the Wrangler's interior was simple, with limited fancy elements. It drew on themes of American freedom, with a design rooted in a World War II military vehicle and the ability to go almost anywhere. The Wrangler's iconic seven-slot front grille and Made in the U.S.A. label added to its appeal. While lacking sophistication compared to modern cars, the Wrangler's charm lay in its ruggedness and capability. It was well-suited to Hawaii's terrain, with standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and good outward visibility. However, its ride was rough, and the steering felt disconnected at higher speeds. The Wrangler's off-road prowess was evident, but it was not taken off-roading during the rental experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a range of powertrain options, including a single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration in the LT and RS trim levels. The RWD models delivered 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, powered by a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack. In contrast, the AWD models produced 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque, utilizing an 85-kWh battery pack. Interestingly, the dual-motor AWD option had a lower output than the single-motor RWD, positioning it as the base offering. The Blazer EV also introduced a single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) powertrain option for the 2025 model year, anticipated to be the most affordable and popular configuration. The Blazer EV SS performance model promised a dual-motor AWD powertrain with 557 horsepower and 648 pound-feet of torque, featuring a Wide Open Watts (WOW) launch mode for rapid acceleration.

During test drives of the RWD and AWD Blazer EV RS models, both exhibited strong acceleration, with the AWD version providing better traction off the line. The Blazer EV shared dimensions with the Cadillac Lyriq but offered a different driving experience. While the Lyriq focused on luxury, the Blazer EV prioritized handling, excelling on twisty roads with precise steering. However, this came at the expense of ride comfort, as the stiff suspension made smooth roads feel rough. Cabin noise was minimal, with only slight wind noise at highway speeds. The Blazer EV featured a steering-wheel paddle for adjusting regenerative braking levels, allowing for one-pedal driving and enhancing driver involvement.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, slightly less horsepower but more torque than the V6. The V6 with a manual transmission was a cost-saving option, while the turbocharged engine felt livelier at higher elevations and offered marginally better fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving compared to 19-20 mpg for the V6.

During a rental experience in Hawaii, the four-cylinder Wrangler achieved an average fuel economy of 19.2 mpg over a week of driving with four passengers and air conditioning. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and narrow width made it well-suited for Hawaii's terrain. However, its three-star rollover resistance rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was a concern. The Wrangler's ride was rough, with a disconnected steering feel at higher speeds. While not taken off-roading during the rental, previous experience with the Wrangler Rubicon demonstrated its off-road capabilities with the right equipment.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, while resembling a traditional SUV, offered an interior that felt spacious but had similar headroom and legroom to competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. It lacked the commanding driving position of a traditional SUV, with high side sills and a deep dashboard creating a unique feel. Cargo space was limited, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, less than a gasoline Blazer but more than an EV6. The Blazer EV featured a "presence activated" liftgate for convenient access. Up front, the interior provided ample small-item storage, though some controls were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler presented challenges for entry and exit due to its high ground clearance and narrow door openings. Step rails were available but could complicate access. Once inside, the front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery suitable for any climate. The Convenience Group option added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Wrangler accommodated five passengers, but four were more comfortable. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, though taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks on the front seatbacks. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in cupholders. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened separately. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a new Google-based infotainment system with built-in Google apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. However, it eliminated standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offering deeper functionality for Android users but limited options for iOS users. The Blazer EV featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster with sharp graphics. The infotainment system included built-in route planning and over-the-air software updates. The user experience was generally positive, though the touchscreen's angle could be inconvenient for passengers. The Blazer EV also featured a hands-free start sequence, marking a shift toward a high-tech feel.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system equipped the Sport S with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. An eight-speaker stereo was standard, with a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system optional. More expensive models offered navigation and Jeep Connect services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot and off-road navigation capabilities. The touchscreen remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display between analog gauges, passive entry, remote engine starting, and rear parking sensors.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Optional features included reverse automatic braking, park assist, and the Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system, which maintained speed and lane position.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags for front and rear seats as standard equipment. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was standard on the Wrangler Sahara. Other safety features included adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Wrangler as Good for side-impact protection but Marginal for small overlap frontal-impact tests.