2025 CHEVROLET BLAZER EV

BLAZER NAMEPLATE ONCE AGAIN LIVES,

THIS TIME AS AN EV IN CHEVROLET STABLE

Chevrolet’s use of the Blazer nameplate dates back to the late 1960s and the vehicle itself has gone through many incarnations since debuting as a pickup truck for the 1969 model year before eventually morphing into the familiar SUV we know today.

It even went through a production hiatus that lasted 14 years until the company resurrected it for 2019 as a mid-size, 2-row Crossover SUV with a base 4-cylinder engine and optional V6. Pricing ranged from just under $30,000 to over $43,000.

For the 2024 model year Chevy made the Blazer available as an all-electric SUV. The drivetrain wasn’t the only thing that distinguished it from gas-powered versions. Styling differences both inside and out separates the Blazer EV from the gas-powered models.

As you would expect, the electric Blazer also carries a heftier price tag than its traditional sibling, though it reportedly qualifies for the $7,000 tax break from the government. (At least for now.)

The 2025 Chevy Blazer EV currently comes in two trims. The LT serves  as the base model. The RS currently sits at the top of the portfolio. A performance oriented SS model is due to arrive early next year.

Even in just two trims, the Blazer offers several different choices starting with 2-wheel drive or all-wheel propulsion. The LT gets front-wheel drive with AWD has an option. The RS trim comes with either RWD or AWD.

Driving ranges vary considerably between 2WD and AWD models. AWD versions are good for only an estimated 283 miles, RWDs 335 miles, and FWDs 355. All figures are slightly better than the numbers for the debut 2024 Blazer EV.

When it comes to power, the FWD LT is rated at a meager 220 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. The RWD  RS model is rated at 365/325, respectively. With AWD the numbers are 300/355. respectively.

If you really want maximum get-up and go, the 2025 Chevy Blazer SS due to go on sale in the first quarter of 2025 is projected at 595 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque, making it the quickest Blazer EV the company has produced.

This review is based on the 2025 Chevy Blazer EV RS with AWD.

Standard features covered by the starting $54,259 include a 17.7-inch touchscreen display with navigation and built-in Google, 8 years of basic OnStar services, 21-inch machined aluminum wheels, a wireless phone charger, heated and ventilated front seats, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support, remote vehicle start, multi-color ambient lighting, heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED headlamps and taillights, a hands-free power liftgate, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

You might notice the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among those features.

According to reports, GM is dropping both those features from its fleet of EVs in favor of its own systems. The Blazer happens to be the first vehicle so affected.

But there are aftermarket upgrades to restore the features of the two add-ons. (If you really are into Apple CarPlay or Android Auto you no doubt have the ability to find those upgrades). 

Standard safety features include enhanced emergency braking, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, auto high beam, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist, lane-keeping assist, side bicyclist alert, and HD surround vision.

My test vehicle included as options Chevy’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system, enhanced automatic parking assist, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and a convenience driver’s package that added a head-up display, rear heated seats, and a rear camera mirror.

That brought the total to $60,735 including the $1,395 destination charge.

What I liked about the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS: It really is an attractive vehicle both inside and out. The interior is roomy. The ride is comfortable and, it really goes without saying, quiet. Its size allows for easily negotiating tight parking lots and narrow streets. Tech features are user-friendly. Auto hold  (activated by a button) prevents creeping at intersections and stops. The surround-view camera is a great parking aid. Fold the second-row seats and cargo space expands from 25.5 cubic feet to 59.1.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS: Options that add appealing features can take the final MSRP up to the $60,000 level (like my RS trim test 2024 Chevy Blazer). It lacks the zip of the usual EV. Techies won’t like the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. AWD models approach but don’t quite get to the 300-mile range level. The touchscreen collects fingerprints like an overzealous FBI lab tech.

Would I buy the 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV RS? Still a no, but perhaps not as firm as it once was. It isn’t a very practical choice if it is your only family vehicle (no single EV is really), but it works well for daily commutes and running errands. Keep your gas-powered SUV handy or be prepared to rent one for long vacation trips.

2025 INFINITI QX80

AFTER LONG WAIT INFINITI FINALLY

GIVES ITS LARGEST SUV A MAKEOVER

After beginning life as a 2004 model QX56 before emerging 10 years later as the QX80 to follow the company’s revamping of its model nomenclature, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 gets a long-delayed redesign that should boost its image in the large luxury SUV class.

The largest vehicle in the Japanese automaker’s SUV fleet has sat virtually idly by for well over a decade as smaller models like the QX50 and QX60 got makeovers that boosted their market appeal.

Critics noticed the delay, ripping the Infiniti QX80 as becoming outdated and not up to competing with its rivals. That changes now.

The redesigned 2025 Infiniti QX80 delivers a luxurious, spacious cabin with new tech features and power-folding third-row seats that open up with the push of a button to more than double a tight cargo area of 22 cubic feet with those seats in place to a more generous 59 cubic feet.

Folding both the second and third-row seats exposes a cavernous cargo area of 101 cubic feet.

Under the expansive hood a twin-turbocharged V6 replaces last year’s V8. It bumps horsepower up to 450 from 400 and torque to 516 pound-feet from the 413 of the 2024 model. 

A new 9-speed automatic transmission replaces the former 7-speed tranny.  Pure and Luxe trims come with either rear-wheel or Infiniti’s all-mode 4-wheel drive and Sensory and Autograph get 4WD as standard.

Fuel economy in the V6 is rated at 16 miles-per-gallon city, 20 highway, and 18 combined with RWD and 15/19/17 with 4WD, which is a slight improvement over the V8’s numbers ((14/20/16 RWD and 13/19/15 4WD).

The 2025 Infiniti QX80 comes in four trim levels starting with the base Pure ($84,445 including destination and delivery) followed by the Luxe ($91.545). The Sensory starts at $101.945 and the Autograph, which this review is based on, starts at $111,995.

Standard exterior features on the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph include LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a two-tone roof, running boards (a definite necessity), panoramic moonroof,, motion activated liftgate, and 22-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

Inside, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph features premium leather seats for all three rows and both front seats are 10-way power adjustable with 4-way lumbar support. The Autograph, along with Luxe and Sensory models, also have a massage function for the first two rows.

Seats in all three rows are heated while the first two rows are ventilated as well. You get 43.9 inches of legroom up front and 39.2 for the second row, but only 32.9 for the third. 

Other niceties in the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph include tri-zone climate control with backseat controls, a head-up display for the driver, keyless entry with push-button start, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 14-speaker Klipsch premium audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a wireless device charger.

Safety features include Infiniti’s Pro-Pilot 2.1 Assist (limited hands-free driving), forward collision warning and emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning and intervention, lane departure warning, and a surround-view camera.

My test 2025 Infiniti QX8- Autograph came with options like enhanced interior lighting. a premium cargo package, special paint, and an umbrella holder (yes, an umbrella holder) that ran the final bottom line to $114,815 including the $1,195 destination charge.

What I liked about the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph: The interior is very plush, quiet, and comfortable. The dual screen infotainment system is a simple operation with the lower screen devoted to climate controls and the upper for functions like navigation, audio, and settings. Running boards greatly help with getting in and out. An auto hold system (activated/deactivated via a button) prevents creeping at intersections. Towing capacity is a generous 8,500 pounds.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph: The overall size (211.2 inches long, 92.5 wide with mirrors open, and 121-inch wheelbase) makes maneuvering through mall parking lots challenging, not to mention driving on some tight city streets. Even with the V6 replacing the V8 it remains a somewhat thirsty beast, and premium fuel is recommended. Cargo space behind the third row provides room only for a small grocery run or a couple of suitcases. 

 

Would I buy the 2025 Infiniti QX 80 Autograph? The size turns me off — big doesn’t even begin to describe it; try huge or humongous — but if you have the need for a large, luxury 3-row SUV the QX80 definitely rates a good look. It is a big step up from the previous generation.

2025 FORD EXPLORER

VENERABLE FORD EXPLORER STILL 

GOING STRONG AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

The Ford Explorer certainly is not the oldest SUV around — origins of the segment actually date back to the 1930s — but there is no question that the Explorer ignited the segment’s popularity in leading what may be considered the “SUV Revolution” of the 1990s.

Its impact on the market was such that by 2020, or 29 years after it replaced the Bronco II in the the company’s lineup as a 1991 model, it claimed the title of the best-selling SUV off all-time

Though a couple of imports from Japan have nudged their way past it in sales this year, the Explorer remains the best seller among Ford’s Family of SUVs that include the Escape, Edge, and Expedition.

The 2025 Ford Explorer is part of the model’s sixth generation and has grown over the years. The original Explorer was the company’s first four-door SUV, but at 174.4 inches was considerably shorter than the 2025 Ford Explorer that checks about two feet longer at 198.8 inches.

With elimination of the 2024’s XLT, Timberline, King Ranch, and Limited lines, the 2025 Ford Explorer is offered in four versions. Active, ST-Line, and Platinum models get a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder Ecoboost (Ford’s way of saying turbocharged) engine while the ST comes with a 3.0L Ecoboost V6. The V6 is available for the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum trim, which this review is based on.  

The 4-cylinder engine generates 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque and the V6 400/415, respectively, when drinking premium fuel, but regular octane gasoline is acceptable for either engine.

Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel is available on all trims. 

A 10-speed automatic is the only transmission offered. The government cites mileage figures of 18 miles-per-gallon city, 25 highway, and 21 combined with RWD models using regular fuel, and AWD shaves the figures only slightly to 18/25/20.

Ford cites maximum towing capability at 5,000 pounds with either engine.

Our test 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum came with such niceties as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 14-speaker B&O sound system, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, Ford’s Co-Pilot360 Assist (adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assist and cross-traffic alert), and a power tilt-and-telescoping column.

Other standard features include a capless fuel filler, LED headlamps, fog lamps, and taillamps, and a power moonroof.

Options included Ford’s Blue Cruise hands-free driving system, a luxury leather package (premium badges on front seats, premium leather seats with piping and quilting, and quilting and stitching on door panels), and an ultimate package (all the features in the ultimate leather package plus 21-inch wheels shod with all-season tires replacing standard 20-inchers).

Exact pricing was not included on the spec sheet as my test vehicles is labeled not for sale. Starting MSRP for the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum is $53,745. That’s a about $2,000 less than the $55,755 for the 2025 Ford Explorer ST, but a jump from the $41,350 for the base Active trim and $46,110 for the ST-Line.

What I liked about the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum: The interior is roomy and nicely done. Lots of standard features on the Platinum trim eliminate the need to add many options. The infotainment system is user-friendly. It’s a small thing (very small) but I really like the little shelf Ford has installed just under the front air vents and in front of the gear shifter. It’s a handy place to put sunglasses, loose change, and other small objects when you’re driving and still keep them in easy reach. Cargo space expands from 16.3 cubic feet to 46 cubic feet when the third-row seats are folded.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum: Fuel economy for the V6 Ecoboost engine, which has a tendency to drone at times, isn’t the best in the segment, but is not too far out of line from its competitors. The third row is basically for children. I would like a knob to surf the radio dial (at least there is one to adjust volume) and two to adjust the blower and temperature on the A/C.

 

Would I buy the 2025 Ford Explorer Platinum? I have no need for a 3-row SUV or even a vehicle of this size, but it should be on your list if that is what you are looking for. 

2024 SUBARU SOLTERRA

 

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, BELOW AVERAGE RANGE WORK AGAINST SUBARU’S FIRST EV 

If the results of the annual survey conducted by the research and data firm J.D. Power are on the mark, this may be a good time to buy a new car just based on the quality of what is available.

After two years of decline, the latest J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study showed a slight increase in overall buyer satisfaction in the 2024 survey.

“Traditional manufacturers have listened to the Voice of the Customer,” Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, is quoted in a news release from the company.

One area of concern continues, however. One of the lowest scoring areas among the 10 attributes that figure into the overall scoring zeroed in on infotainment systems.

Anybody who jumps from car to car on a weekly basis (such as an auto reviewer) can vouch for that. Infotainment systems may offer a variety of systems nobody dreamed about until probably the 1990s but operation of those systems has become more and more complex.

“Owners struggle to perform simple audio-related tasks,” Hanley said.

The subject of this review, the 2024 Subaru Solterra, serves an example.

A full range of tech features that include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and navigation are among standard  convenience features, and the high-resolution 12.4-inch touchscreen provides a nice-sized operating platform.

By why oh why didn’t they take advantage of that size to display bigger images and lettering for the audio system so the driver could see at a quick glance what station was tuned to and what artist was playing?

And why couldn’t they provide better contrast for the nav map so you could tell at a glance what side streets were coming up? Main thoroughfares are distinctive enough but the rest of the screen kind of whites out in  the daytime setting. (Yes, I adjusted the brightness and contrast, but it didn’t help.)

All that said, those infotainment quirks aren’t the big thing working against Subaru’s initial venture into the electric car segment. Working against what is a comfortable, functional EV with a well-equipped comfortable cabin is a driving range that comes up short by today’s standards.

Limited and Touring models are good for an 222 miles between charges while the base Premium model provides an additional 5 miles, according to the company. With some competitors offering ranges of over 300 miles, the 2024 Subaru Solterra is at a distinct disadvantage.

Outstanding charging times help, but not that much. Subaru claims you can get the 2024 Subaru Solterra from 10 percent to 80 percent battery capacity in 35 minutes on a fast charger but then range is reduced to less than 200 miles.

On the plus side, the Solterra — the name comes from Latin words for “Sun” and “Earth” — stands out in safety features. 

Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist technologies standard in the Solterra include emergency steering assist, intersection collision avoidance support, pre-collision brake assist, lane departure prevention, and adaptive Cruise control with lane tracing assist.

 

Other standard safety features include blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear camera detection with pedestrian warning. The standard parking support brake feature can apply the vehicle’s brakes if an obstacle is detected while reversing, and new safe exit assist notifies occupants of approaching vehicles before they exit the vehicle. 

The 2024 Subaru Solterra allows for  hands-free driving at up to 25 mph. With all-wheel drive and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, it’s also good for milder off-roading treks.

Pricing for the 2024 Subaru Solterra starts at $47.340 for the Premium trim and $49,840 for the Limited including destination and delivery.

The Touring model that this review is based on starts at $51995. A few options — $890 for the red and black paint, $187 for all-weather floor liners, and $141 for a cargo tray — and the $1,345 destination and delivery charge ran the final total for my test 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring to $54,558.

What I liked about the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring: The interior is roomy for passengers and their stuff when traveling (not likely far though with the limited range). It earns top safety ratings with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) making it a Top Safety Pick. The 360-degree panoramic view monitor provides an overhead view to help in maneuvering in tight spaces.

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring: In what is a first for me in nearly 25 years of doing reviews, there is no glove box! The bin in the console has a hidden compartment for extra storage. Driving range is comes up short.

Would I buy the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring? It would need at least 50 more miles of driving range for me to consider it, which is a shame because it has some attractive attributes.

2024 HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ

LITTLE CHANCE FOR BUYER’S REMORSE

WITH NEW XRT TRIM OF SANTA CRUZ

As I wrote about 11 months ago in my first experience with the vehicle, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a good option for those hungering for a pickup truck but don’t want to deal with the size (and budget) that comes with a full-size model. 

A recent revisit simply confirms that notion. Like it the first time, you’ll like it the second. And third. And so-on.

Based on Hyundai’s popular Tucson, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz drives like a compact SUV while offering the hauling capacity of a compact truck.

As noted in my review of the Hyundai Santa Cruz last November, the South Korean automaker added the XRT model as a new trim in the 2024 Santa Cruz portfolio. It gives the Santa Cruz a little more in the way of off-roading capability with all-wheel drive as standard.

Hyundai actually dubs the 2024 Santa Cruz XRT as a “Sports Activity Vehicle” to separate it from the more common “Sports Utility Vehicle” nomenclature. 

In addition to standard AWD, engineers tweaked the front fascia to increase the vehicle’s approach angle and finished off by adding all-terrain tires, 18-inch wrench-inspired alloy wheels, and front tow hooks.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT has a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under the hood that is rated at 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque so it has plenty of oomph when it comes to driving experience. That engine is mated to an 8-speed wet dual clutch automatic transmission with manual gear selection available via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Fuel mileage is rated at 19 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, and 22 combined using regular octane fuel, giving the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT a total driving range of 389 miles, according to government figuring.

Designers didn’t forget about the interior. A new large touchscreen serves as the command center for infotainment features that include navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other standard features include keyless entry and push-button start, Smart (adaptive) cruise control, dual automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, heated front seats, wireless phone charger, LED headlights and tail lamps, power sunroof, LED bed lighting and Bluetooth connectivity.

Pricing falls at the high end of the Santa Cruz lineup with the Base front-wheel-drive SE trim starting at $29,895 including the destination and delivery fee, and the XRT coming in at a starting MSRP of $41,185.

That is just a shade under the $43,805 starting MSRP for the top-of-the-line AWD Santa Cruz Limited but covers so many standard features that options are not necessary.

What I liked about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT: The size is perfect for those wanting to get out of an SUV yet have a vehicle with some hauling capacity. Its compact size makes it easy to handle, especially in an urban environment with cramped parking lots and narrow streets. Technology is plentiful. The bed cover easily slides forward when the latch is released and a convenient strap is handy to pull it back in place. The turbo engine on the XRT and Limited trims is worth stretching your budget for, not just for performance but for a higher towing capacity (5,000 pounds).

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT: Overall, tech features are user friendly but I don’t understand why they eliminates convenient knob to control audio volume, dial surfing, and manual A/C adjusting. Finding the button to adjust the radio volume can detract from the driver’s attention. Voice guidance for navigation referred to little-used street names for Miami, where a street can have up to three or more names. Stick to common street numbers, Hyundai! Side steps for getting in and out  really aren’t necessary and actually get in the way especially when you are exiting.

Would I buy the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT? Yes. Unless you are doing big hauling jobs, the Santa Cruz has the capability most people are going to need when it comes to runs to Home Depot and Lowe’s.