2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV was a striking addition to Chevrolet's lineup of all-electric crossover SUVs, sharing the stage with the smaller Equinox EV. Its design was notably sharper and sportier, reminiscent of the discontinued Camaro muscle car. The Blazer EV featured a narrow bar of lights that separated the faceted hood from the filled-in grille, while exaggerated flared fenders contributed to its athletic and hunkered-down stance. This sleek profile helped the Blazer EV stand out from more conventionally styled electric SUVs, giving it an appearance closer to a longer hatchback than a typical crossover. Despite its electric nature, the Blazer EV could easily be mistaken for an internal combustion vehicle, with its hidden charge port and subtle EV badging.

Inside, the Blazer EV echoed the Camaro theme with sporty round air vents and faceted screens dominating the dashboard. The contrast stitching added a subtle but racy personality to the interior. While the initial impressions were favorable, closer inspection revealed hard plastic elements, albeit textured to match the soft-touch materials. The steering wheel felt good in hand, and controls were well-placed, though the stitching and leather seams lacked the precision expected in luxury vehicles. For those unfamiliar with luxury standards, these minor flaws might go unnoticed.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that retained its upright stance, low beltline, and large windows. The new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S, gave it a fresh and modern feel. The new Upland trim added front recovery hooks in the lower fascia, enhancing utility without compromising elegance. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer exuded modernity with clean design and strong horizontal lines. The 12-inch infotainment screen, though seemingly small for such a large vehicle, was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, while plain in appearance, offered exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives a pleasure.

Trim and material usage throughout the cabin leaned towards premium, with solid metal gearshift dials and available Nappa and Palermo leather in upper trims. The Grand Wagoneer's fit and finish were commendable, with doors that closed with a solid thwap and armrests that felt sturdy. The vehicle's overall design and comfort made it a standout choice for those seeking a blend of luxury and utility.

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV lineup offered a variety of powertrain choices, making it somewhat confusing for consumers. The LT and RS trims came standard with two electric motors for all-wheel-drive (AWD), producing a combined 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 85-kWh battery pack. These AWD models could accelerate to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds and had an EPA-estimated range of up to 283 miles. The LT and RS trims also introduced a front-wheel drive (FWD) option, with a single motor producing 220 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque, extending the estimated range to 312 miles.

The RS trim was available in single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) form, offering 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and a range-leading estimate of 334 miles with a 102-kWh battery. The high-performance SS trim combined a dual-motor powertrain with the larger battery pack, delivering 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, though range dropped to 294 miles. The Blazer EV's suspension was firm, providing a smooth ride on most surfaces, but the steering required constant adjustments on highways. The vehicle offered one-pedal driving with two levels of brake regeneration, enhancing driving convenience.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured the standard 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain with a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, with a total range of over 500 miles.

Despite its large proportions, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive. Its large windows and squared-off corners provided excellent visibility, and the vehicle absorbed bumps and road imperfections with ease. The seats were comfortable for long drives, accommodating a wide range of passenger sizes. The Grand Wagoneer's performance and comfort made it a compelling choice for those seeking a powerful and luxurious SUV.

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered front seats with good support and cushioning for long road trips. The massive touchscreen was well-placed high on the dash, with large on-screen buttons to reduce distraction. Climate controls featured redundant physical knobs and buttons for easy adjustment. The rear seats, while firm and flat, provided ample legroom, though headroom was more limited. The Blazer EV offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a flat area for easy loading, though the sloping rear hatch limited space for bulky items.

The Blazer EV's climate control system took time to heat the cabin on cold days, attributed to the use of a heat pump. The brake regeneration paddle was inconveniently placed, leading to accidental decelerations. Despite these minor issues, the Blazer EV was easy to use and live with, offering a practical and comfortable interior.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, with three rows providing ample leg and hip room for passengers. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for seating up to eight passengers comfortably. The third row was spacious enough for three people of small to average stature. With the third row in use, the Grand Wagoneer offered 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space, suitable for strollers or athletic gear. The long-wheelbase version increased cargo capacity to 42.6 cubic feet, and the vehicle could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The Grand Wagoneer featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated driver and front passenger seats. The Upland trim included Quadra-Lift air suspension, front recovery hooks, skid plates, and all-terrain tires, making it well-equipped for light off-roading. The Grand Wagoneer's spacious and versatile interior made it an excellent choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV came equipped with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, digital instrument panel, native navigation system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and OnStar remote monitoring. The infotainment system ran on the Google Built-in platform, offering quick response times and clear displays. However, the absence of Apple CarPlay was a significant drawback for iPhone users, requiring them to navigate through generic folders for music and other functions. Native voice controls via Google were accurate but limited in functionality.

The standard six-speaker audio system lacked bass, with an available eight-speaker Bose upgrade on the RS and SS trims. The Blazer EV's tech features were comprehensive, but the lack of Apple CarPlay was a notable limitation for some users.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a range of tech features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a wireless phone charger, and a hands-free power liftgate. Higher trims included a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system, and four-zone climate controls. The wireless phone charger had issues with overheating, and the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size.

The Grand Wagoneer no longer offered adjustable pedals, a feature available in previous models. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Grand Wagoneer's tech features were comprehensive and user-friendly, making it a strong contender in the full-size SUV segment.

The 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV received five stars in all crash tests from the NHTSA for the RWD model, while the AWD model received four stars for rollover protection. The FWD model had not been fully evaluated. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, reverse automatic braking, a surround-view camera system, and automatic high beams. GM's Super Cruise automated hands-free driving system was available as an option, providing advanced driving assistance.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with safety features such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection-collision assist, and a driver-attention monitor. Available features included automated parking assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores in crash tests.