Compare the2026 Chevrolet Blazer EVVS 2027 Rivian R2

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Blazer EV are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The R2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Blazer EV achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Rivian R2 has not been tested.

The Chevrolet Blazer EV comes with a standard HD Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Rivian R2 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Blazer EV and R2 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Blazer EV has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R2’s Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Blazer EV and the R2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, available front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

There are over 29 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Blazer EV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 96 more problems per 100 vehicles, Rivian is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 9 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

For better stopping power the Blazer EV SS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the R2:

For better traction, the Blazer EV RS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R2 (275/45R21 vs. 265/60R20).

The Blazer EV’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R2’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Blazer EV offers optional 22-inch wheels. The R2’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Chevrolet Blazer EV’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Rivian R2 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Blazer EV has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The R2 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Blazer EV can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The R2 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Blazer EV’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the R2 (121.8 inches vs. 115.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Blazer EV is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the R2.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Blazer EV has standard flush composite headlights. The R2 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Blazer EV has 2.8 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the R2.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Blazer EV’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The R2 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Blazer EV uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The R2 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Blazer EV (except LT) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The R2 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Blazer EV has a standard rear wiper. The R2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Blazer EV’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The R2 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Blazer EV’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The R2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Motor Trend selected the Blazer EV as their 2024 Sport Utility of the Year. The R2 has never been chosen.