Picture this: you’re standing in a driveway looking at two electric SUVs that pack more horsepower than most sports cars from just a decade ago. On one side, there’s the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS with its 615 horsepower, wearing what can only be described as a throwback Habanero Orange paint job. On the other, the Kia EV6 GT sporting 641 horsepower in an equally retro Yacht Blue Matte finish. Both scream 1970s muscle car energy, but they’re about as modern as cars get.
These aren’t just fast cars – they’re statements. They represent two different philosophies about what an electric performance SUV should be. And honestly? Both approaches have their merits.
The Numbers Game: Where Raw Power Meets Reality
Let’s talk straight numbers first, because that’s probably what brought you here. The Blazer EV SS rockets to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and covers the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds at 117 mph. That’s seriously quick territory – we’re talking supercar performance from something you can load with groceries.
The EV6 GT edges ahead slightly with a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds, but in real-world driving, you’d be hard-pressed to feel that tenth of a second difference. What you will notice is how each car delivers that power.
Power Delivery: Smooth vs. Snappy
Here’s where things get interesting. The Blazer’s power is equally impressive, but it feels less immediate despite the Chevy’s torque advantage. Think of it like this: the Blazer is like a heavyweight boxer who lands powerful, measured punches, while the EV6 GT is more like a lightweight who hits with lightning-quick jabs.
The Kia rockets from 30 to 50 mph in just 1.8 seconds and from 50 to 70 mph in 2.1 seconds, compared to the Blazer’s 1.7 and 2.2 seconds respectively. Again, minimal differences on paper, but the EV6 GT just feels more urgent when you’re actually driving it.
Range and Practicality: Where the Blazer Shines
If you’re thinking about daily driving one of these electric beasts, range becomes crucial. This is where the Blazer EV SS pulls ahead significantly. The SS’s larger 102-kWh battery makes for a solid 303 miles of EPA range—23 to 38 miles more than you get from the most powerful Mach-E models, 72 more than the Kia.
That 72-mile advantage over the EV6 GT isn’t just a number – it’s the difference between making that weekend trip without stopping to charge, or having to plan your route around charging stations.
Size Matters: American vs. European Approach
The Blazer separates itself from the other fast electric SUVs in sizing. This is a big car. It measures about five inches longer than a Model Y, nine inches longer than the Ioniq 5 and 8 inches longer than the Kia.
What does this mean for you? The Blazer EV’s rear seat is giant, and the wide cabin makes it feel like a big, American SUV in the best way. If you’ve got a family or regularly haul friends around, that extra space is genuinely useful.
Driving Experience: Comfort vs. Excitement
This is where the philosophical differences really show up. The Blazer EV is much more biased toward daily driving than many other performance EVs. It’s a big, cushy crossover with a notably smoother ride and far more road-trip endurance.
The EV6 GT takes a different approach. The EV6 GT is the more engaging performance machine, according to the Car and Driver comparison. It’s the one that makes you grin when you take a corner, the one that feels more like a sports car that happens to be tall.
The Emotional Factor
Here’s something you can’t measure with numbers: how these cars make you feel. While the Blazer EV SS packs gobs of torque and practical driving range for daily use, it doesn’t engender the same emotional connection.
Think of it this way: the Blazer EV SS is like a really comfortable, really fast living room on wheels. The EV6 GT is more like your favorite roller coaster – it might not be as comfortable for three hours, but man, is it fun for those intense moments.
Braking and Handling: Where Engineering Meets Physics
The Blazer EV SS’s binders are highlighted by standard six-piston Brembo calipers clamping 15.3-inch front rotors. With the Performance package, the SS hauled to a stop from 70 mph in 157 feet and from 100 mph in 309 feet.
That’s genuinely impressive stopping power, especially when you consider our test car tipped the scales at a hefty 5737 pounds. Physics says heavier cars should struggle more with stopping, but good engineering can overcome a lot.
Value Proposition: What You’re Really Paying For
The $64,280 Blazer EV SS versus the as-tested $65,970 Kia – we’re talking about pretty similar money here. But what are you getting for that cash?
With the Blazer, you’re buying into American comfort, longer range, more space, and Super Cruise standard. The technology allows you to go hands-off on the highway, and it’s simply my favorite driver assistance system on the market.
With the EV6 GT, you’re getting a more engaging driving experience, slightly quicker acceleration, and what many would argue is more distinctive styling.
The Technology Angle
Both cars come loaded with tech, but they approach it differently. The Blazer leans heavily into comfort and convenience features, while the EV6 GT focuses more on performance-oriented tech. It’s like choosing between a luxury hotel and a boutique sports resort – both are great, but they serve different moods.
Charging: The Reality Check
The Blazer SS can draw electrons at up to 190 kilowatts—more than the Mach-E’s 150-kW max but less than the 800-volt Ioniq 5 N’s 238-kW peak. In real-world testing, our test car peaked at 185 kW and averaged 101 kW over the course of our 10-to-90 percent charging test, which ultimately took a tedious 57 minutes