Hey guys, have you checked out the latest Consumer Reports Talking Cars episode on electric vehicles? They covered the Chevy Blazer EV, which they actually bought before the stop-sale. What were the key takeaways from their review?
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So, I watched it…
Right away, they emphasized that the Chevy Blazer EV wasn’t ready for sale, echoing their opinion which might still apply to the Lyriq. They felt GM should have kept it in-house until they ironed out the issues. They wrapped up the Blazer coverage by the twenty-minute mark.
Here are some of the issues they highlighted:
- The screens were flickering and sometimes cycling on their own, ignoring input, which also affected the HUD.
- Without phone mirroring (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), you couldn’t override audio when the displays acted up.
- Route planning didn’t account for charger locations; you had to press a button when low on charge for it to suggest a location.
- The navigation search field was tiny.
- Steering wheel buttons had duplicated functions on both sides but worked oppositely—pressing the bottom button moved selection down on one side and up on the other.
- The lack of CarPlay/Android Auto on a brand that previously had it led them to say they wouldn’t buy one, and others might feel the same.
- While charging was faster than a Leaf, it was slower than Hyundai/Kia models.
- At $60,000 as delivered, the interior felt more like a $35,000 Blazer.
- The ride was excessively stiff, with flat steering through curves and vague feedback.
- There was too much suspension noise and impacts felt too harsh.
- Despite weighing 5200 lbs and having 288 hp, it felt slow with no exciting acceleration.
- The accelerator pedal tuning was good for both acceleration and deceleration.
- One-pedal driving was very effective, but the friction brake feel was also good.
- The drive settings were buried in menus.
- The USB charging plugs in the center console were too close to the lid, preventing it from closing when plugged in.
- The emergency flasher button was small and located near the rearview mirror.
- Rear seat buckles were buried and hard to access.
- Carpet under pedals was bunched up, and sound padding was wadded instead of placed properly.
- Opening the door displayed a nice, large current charge on the screen.
- The charging plug door cover felt very flimsy.
- The car had massive A-pillars, a sloping roofline, and a narrow rear view, with a rear wipe that was too small to be useful.
- Rear seats were comfortable with good room, but surprisingly more comfortable than the front seats.
- The front seats weren’t as supportive as expected for an RS trim.
Regarding software issues, GM claimed they weren’t related to Ultium batteries or Google software, which Consumer Reports questioned. Owners would need to schedule updates with a dealer, and they joked that the software problems were serious enough to affect their usual 2,000-mile break-in work.
Originally expected to rival the MachE as a “Pony Car” type, it didn’t initially compare well according to Consumer Reports.
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It’s also interesting to mention that Consumer Reports automotive reviewers believe internal combustion engine (ICE) and basic hybrid gasoline cars will still account for over 50% of sales in the US in the next decade.
They’re also looking forward to Honda’s upcoming natural gas Civic. Are we back in 2012?
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I’m curious about someone reviewing a Chinese-spec Ultium car because they appear to be selling well and don’t seem to have the issues that the American versions do. While some might argue that there could be different software, OnStar is available in China, so I assume the software should be quite similar.
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The Ultium models in China use CATL batteries instead of LGES used in the US. They employ cylindrical cells and a different Battery Management System (BMS) there. GM also has a strong partnership in China, and the supply chains operate under entirely different dynamics there.
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The software differs significantly.
The assumption that Ultium is in play here is incorrect, I believe. It’s not, unless LG made another mistake.
It’s akin to using different brand batteries in your TV remote.
The batteries or the “brand building gimmick” are not the issue here.
What’s at play is the comparison between a Chinese-built EV and a USA-built EV. A key factor is how legacy automakers in China are partnered with Chinese companies, such as SAIC in this case.
It’s interesting to observe GM’s smoother strategy in China. While the automaker has faced challenges launching new EVs in the US, SAIC-GM has strategically introduced new model lines to the Chinese market. The Cadillac Lyriq debuted in 2022, followed by the Buick Electra E5 in April of this year. Before the end of the year, the Electra E4 and Cadillac Optiq are scheduled for release. It’s only a matter of time before SAIC-GM begins production of the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Blazer EV for the Chinese market.
This doesn’t account for the strong performance of GM’s other joint ventures with SAIC and Wuling, which have seen success with popular hyper-urban EV city cars like the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV and Wuling Bingo.
And an interesting detail,
Furthermore, labor costs are reduced due to an 88% reduction in wiring within each battery pack compared to the Bolt, thanks to the wireless battery management system.