There have been many rumors, half-announcements, and blurry details surrounding the automotive industry over the past several years, among global situations like the health crisis, the chip shortage, and supply chain concerns. As a result, it may seem like automotive manufacturers are announcing future projects with a “fingers crossed!” sentiment lurking in the background. To help clear things up, here are a few rumors and announcements that Chevy seems to be fully standing behind. While we can’t guarantee that all of this will come to fruition, Chevy has made official announcements that indicate that deviations from these plans would be a surprise to everyone involved.
Model years are a little tricky, and the events of 2020 threw off schedules even more. Even though the following announcements pertain to the 2024 model year, you’ll be able to see new models at your Chevy dealer starting in spring 2023, if all goes according to plan.
More Electric!
Drivers have mixed feelings about electric vehicles, more commonly known as EVs. However, Chevy has made note of our collective hesitations, and continues to invest time and knowledge into creating a lineup of environmentally responsible vehicles that continue to do all the things we’ve come to expect from Chevy’s impressive lineup.
New for 2024 is the Equinox EV, which is designed to appeal to SUV drivers who are looking for a generously-sized vehicle without enormous fuel expenses. The Equinox EV is engineered to provide between 250-300 miles of travel per full charge, depending on the trim and configurations chosen. For example, GM estimates the standard front-wheel-drive system to provide 210 horsepower and 242 lb/ft of torque. Those looking for an all-wheel-drive experience can select the optional eAWD system, which provides 290 horsepower and 346 lb/ft torque.
The electric Equinox will be offered in a variety of trims including an array of appealing features. Standard offerings across all trims include the Chevy Safety Assist suite of driver assistance technology, including Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, and Front Pedestrian Braking. Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and IntelliBeam automatic high beams are also part of this package.
One-Pedal Driving with regenerative braking is also standard on all Equinox EVs. This allows drivers to control acceleration and deceleration using only the pedal we know as the “gas pedal.” This feature first appeared on the Nissan LEAF as the i-Pedal, and has spread among other manufacturers as well. Chevy is also working to make charging technology increasingly more user-friendly by offering a standard Level 2 charging system that helps the Equinox gain up to 34 miles of range per hour of charge.
As we charge into an all-electric future (pun intended), the announcement of the upcoming Equinox EV indicates that Chevy is taking driver feedback into account. While not everyone may be ready to go electric just yet, the Equinox proves Chevy has made significant strides in making the transition seamless and even a little fun.
The Electric Blazer SS
SS stands for “Super Sport” and is a badge normally reserved for exceptional sporty, top-performing Chevy models. In fact, the Blazer hasn’t had the honor of an SS model before. However, the Blazer EV SS is more or less its own species. While it has the same general size and shape as an SUV, its performance elements were inspired by its distant cousins, the Camaro and Corvette. With such influences, the first electric vehicle to wear Chevy’s SS badge is destined to be a big deal.
Scott Bell, Vice President of Chevrolet, stated in a July 2022 press release, “The Blazer EV SS has the soul of a true sports car. And while it represents the pinnacle of performance for Chevy’s EV lineup, all models offer stirring capabilities that will surprise and delight true performance devotees.”
The secret ingredient is an exclusive all-wheel drive system which, when combined with Chevy’s new Wide Open Watts (WOW) driving mode, can take the Blazer EV SS from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds. According to GM, this electric configuration will produce the equivalent of 557 horsepower and 648 lb-ft of torque.
The SS model rides high on 22-inch wheels and is equipped with a special sports chassis and Brembo brakes. The interior will be clad in SS-specific suede microfiber upholstery, with Adrenaline Red accents as a nod to its sports car heritage.
The Blazer has arguably enjoyed the most variety in its reboots and reimaginations. It continues to be a car that people truly want to drive, thanks to Chevy’s application of innovation and engineering excellence.
Compact SUVs Are the New Sedan
It’s okay to be sad that Chevy has followed in Ford’s footsteps and no longer produces sedans. As we bid the Malibu a fond goodbye, we can allow ourselves time to process the many emotions and thoughts that accompany such an exit.
When Chevy named the Trax as the successor to the Malibu, drivers immediately had many opinions about the matter. Historically speaking, the Trax has been a pretty basic vehicle for drivers who want a taller, but not necessarily larger vehicle. As a compact SUV, it is smaller than the mid-size Malibu, and drivers have also found that it was a bit on the simple side. To keep the Trax budget-friendly, many of its features are optional, and the trims have been limited to “Good” and “Better.”
Starting with the 2024 model, Trax drivers will have many more options. Trims will be expanded to feature LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and ACTIV models, each of which will have its own distinct personality. “The all-new Trax has everything you need and nothing you don’t,” stated Chevy Vice President Scott Bell. “More space. More features. More style. This is an entry-level vehicle that will surprise and delight customers with its value and plays a critical role as the gateway into the Chevy brand.”
The new Trax will include a 1.2L turbocharged engine that will provide 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. For the first time, Chevy Safety Assist technology will be standard on all Trax models. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist will be available options for this compact SUV for the first time.
A New Era at Your Chevy Dealer
Change is inevitable, but change can also be a little scary. But with the introduction of the Equinox EV, the Blazer EV SS, and the new and improved Trax, Chevy isn’t pulling a fast one on the driving public. We’ve been aware for many years that an electric revolution is upon us. Perhaps we didn’t expect it to come on so quickly, or with so many appealing options. But now that it’s here, many drivers are finding themselves curious about how an electric SUV drives. There are probably even more drivers who are interested in taking an electric Blazer SS from 0-60 in four seconds.
There will be some adjustment to a world in which sedans are becoming obsolete, but the writing has been on the walls for many years. The next step is to buckle in and enjoy the ride. Thankfully, Chevy continues to give drivers an incredible variety of vehicles to help them do just that.
