I'm Driving a Blazer EV SS Loaner While My RS Is in Service, Here's Why The Extra $16K Might Be Worth It

I recently swapped my Chevrolet Blazer EV RS for an SS loaner during a routine 10,000-mile service, and the difference is staggering. The SS, with its 557 horsepower and supercar-level acceleration, makes my RS feel almost tame in comparison.

There’s a certain switch that flips on when the dealership hands you the keys to something louder, faster, and unapologetically more expensive than what you arrived in. It’s part hospitality, part salesmanship, and all psychological warfare. 

How the Blazer EV SS Transforms Your Driving Experience

And it works. One Blazer EV RS owner summed it up perfectly in a Facebook post after being handed the SS trim as a loaner:

“10k service and the dealership put me in a loaner SS!!   Don’t mind if I do!!!  So in my short time with driving, here is how I feel it compares to the AWD RS I have.  

1. POWER-  the SS has legit super car power levels.  You stab the gas and you feel your eyes being pulled out of the back of your skull.  Some may feel this alone is worth the extra price. 

2. Interior is spicy with multitone seats and seat belt colors that match the exterior color.  Road noise was louder in the SS, but that may be because my RS doesn’t have the full glass roof and the SS does.  

3. Bose stereo in the SS is far superior to that weak radio in the RS.    

Haven’t tried the super cruise yet, but I may”

The Service Bay Experience That Upscales EV Marketing

And there it is, the golden ticket. That little taste of the forbidden fruit, courtesy of a service bay visit. But this wasn’t just luck; it’s a marketing sleight of hand. Let a customer experience what another $16,000 can buy, and suddenly the RS feels a bit beige. Chevy didn’t just loan out a car, they handed this driver a persuasive argument on wheels. It’s a tactic pulled straight from the luxury brand playbook. You don’t need a marketing campaign when the car sells itself from the passenger seat.

Performance and Acceleration

• Chevrolet Blazer EV SS: Equipped with a high-performance electric motor, the Blazer EV SS delivers robust acceleration, though specific 0-60 mph times are not publicly disclosed.​
• Rivian R1S: Features a quad-motor setup producing 835 horsepower, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in approximately 3.0 seconds.​
• Tesla Model X Plaid: Boasts a tri-motor configuration generating 1,020 horsepower, achieving 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds.

How the Blazer EV SS Challenges Automotive Norms

Chevrolet, once known for rental fleet workhorses and suburban shopping mall specials, is quietly sharpening its claws in the EV fight. And make no mistake: the Blazer EV SS isn’t a compliance box-ticker. It’s a statement. A 557-horsepower muscle crossover with enough torque to challenge the Tesla Model X, enough refinement to nip at the heels of a Lucid Gravity, and enough swagger to make a Rivian R1S look like a granola wagon.

Range and Efficiency

• Chevrolet Blazer EV SS: Offers an EPA-estimated range of 279 miles.​
• Rivian R1S: Provides a range of up to 316 miles, depending on the battery pack and configuration.​
• Tesla Model X Long Range: Delivers an EPA-estimated range of 348 miles.

Interior Style & Range Performance of the Blazer EV SS

Comments from fellow owners only reinforce the shift. “Interior is spicy,” one user noted, echoing praise for the multitone seats and matching seat belts. Another highlighted the seat material, Evotex, GM’s upscale synthetic upholstery, while lamenting the absence of full leather.

Range came up, too: the SS loaner showed a full-charge estimate of 310 miles, edging out the RS’s 280. But as the driver aptly pointed out, “With these big motors and they power though, I would be shocked if it outlast the RS in a long range test.” The SS might be quicker, but physics is still undefeated.

Charging Capabilities

• Chevrolet Blazer EV SS: Supports DC fast charging, capable of adding approximately 78 miles of range in 10 minutes.​
• Rivian R1S: Equipped with DC fast-charging capabilities, achieving up to 140 miles of range in 20 minutes.​
• Tesla Model X: Compatible with Tesla's Supercharger network, offering rapid charging speeds that can replenish up to 175 miles in 15 minutes.

The Evolution of the Blazer Name

Of course, the elephant in the room, or rather, the badge on the tailgate, is the name Blazer. Once synonymous with off-road bravado, the name now rides on a unibody, street-sculpted EV. It’s less trailhead and more tech showcase, but maybe that’s the point. The market has changed, and Chevy’s playing catch-up with impressive urgency. The SS trim doesn’t try to pretend it’s a spiritual successor to the K5, it’s something altogether new: an electric bruiser in a sharply tailored suit. Sacrilege? Possibly. Effective? Undoubtedly.

The Blazer EV SS Versus Rival Electric SUVs

Compared to its competitors, the Blazer SS is something of a rogue. The Tesla Model X still leads the pack in tech gimmicks but feels clinical and over-digitized by comparison. The Rivian R1S is purpose-built for Patagonia-fleeced adventure but lacks the on-road athleticism. The Lucid Gravity? Brilliant, yes, but it caters to an entirely different buyer, one chasing serenity over speed. The Blazer SS, by contrast, is visceral. It wants to be driven, not swiped through a screen.

Redefining American EVs with the Blazer EV SS

And perhaps that’s the most important takeaway. Chevy, dragged into the EV era by regulation and market pressure, hasn’t merely complied, they’ve found a way to inject emotion into a category dominated by silent speed and sterile interiors. The SS trim is brash, bold, and undeniably fun. Is it perfect? No. Super Cruise remains untested in this anecdote, and the glass roof lets in more wind noise than it should. But perfection isn’t the point. Engagement is. Emotion is. And if the goal was to make an RS owner contemplate an upgrade, mission accomplished.

So yes, maybe that extra $16,000 really is worth it, not just for the acceleration or the Bose stereo, but for what the SS represents: a new era of American EVs that still know how to throw a punch. If this is where Chevy is headed, then let the RS drivers take their service appointments, there might just be an SS waiting to change their minds.

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.