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General Motors made the controversial decision to stop offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in new EVs, but it might be second-guessing that call now. Just as the first 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EVs started hitting the streets, well-documented troubles with the SUV’s software have led the automaker to issue a stop-sale while it develops a fix.

Chevy announced the stop-sale last Friday, with the automaker’s VP of global quality, Scott Bell, telling Automotive News, “We’re aware that a limited number of our customers have experienced software-related quality issues with their Blazer EV. Customer satisfaction is our priority, and as such, we will take a brief pause on new deliveries.”

Blazer EV owners will be contacted and can get a software update from a dealer to fix the problem. The problems first came to light through two publications’ experiences with the SUV, in which a journalist was stranded at a rural charging station. Edmunds published its account of long-term testing of the EV, noting that it had 23 problems with the vehicle. It said the Blazer EV had “the single longest list of major faults we at Edmunds have ever seen on a new car.”

GM’s decision to cut the massively popular phone interfaces was surprising but not entirely unexpected. Automakers have been salivating over the opportunity to charge subscription fees and generate revenue from in-vehicle technology interfaces, and its move to an in-house system would give it more control over that process. It will be interesting to see if GM sticks to its plan, however, as a vast number – 80% by Apple’s account – of new car buyers demand the features. Turning off buyers to generate a few dollars from a heated seat subscription seems like the wrong call, but here we are. 

What qualifies a vehicle as being among the best? Is the best car the one with the ferocious powertrain, that zips from zero to sixty miles per hour in the shortest amount of time? Or is the best car the one that lasts the longest with the least amount of maintenance required? For some people, the best car is the one with the most luxurious interior, the highest towing capacity, or the roomiest cabin for the price. Because everyone has different criteria, rather than embarrass ourselves attempting to narrow a car recommendation for every type of person down to a tidy list of 10, we’ve chosen instead to please no one by telling you about the cars we feel are the best, based on our own experiences.

Sure, we’ve driven faster, more expensive, and more technologically advanced cars. But this is a consensus rooted in pure subjectiveness. It’s not about what cars we’ve driven were the most innovative or groundbreaking, and it certainly isn’t about the cars we found to be the most practical. This group show-and-tell by the Acceleramota team is all about which cars are nearest and dearest to our hearts after some time behind the wheel, no matter the length of the stint or the circumstance in which we drove them.

What’s the best car you’ve ever driven? Let us know in the comments.

Jeric Jaleco: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

The market has seen its fair share of spectacular driver’s cars, but only once in a blue moon does one really scratch that itch. Or at least my itch for something catering to my mixed tastes, having coveted cars like the E92 BMW M3 and Shelby GT500. The Shelby GT350 is among that elite bunch and the perfect combination of their philosophies in my headcanon. And listen, I’m not one to incessantly bemoan the loss of purist machines from years past, but this glorified rental car proves they just don’t build sports cars like they used to and probably never will ever again.

The GT350 launched to widespread acclaim for pretty much being the second coming of Car Jesus. It snatched top spots in numerous comparisons, even placing second in Motor Trend’s Best Driver’s Car for two years, bested only by McLaren’s 570S and a 911 Carrera S. It’s far from the fastest muscle car at Woodward Avenue, but it’s certainly one of the most beloved sports cars of recent memory, and my time behind the wheel of a 2017 example from Turo of all places taught me why.
An all-natural V8 screaming to an 8,250-rpm redline, six-speed stick, and track-ready suspension? Yes, please! The precise, well-weighted steering and MagneRide suspension enable rapid direction changes evocative of cars hundreds of pounds lighter. The shifter delivers that just-right notchiness that’s snickety-snick-snick sensational, and the 526-horsepower 5.2-liter Voodoo will go down as one of the best engines of all time, oiling issues be damned! My time with the GT350 was limited to only a few days, but it easily proved its worth as one of the most intoxicatingly soulful modern cars on this side of a Ferrari and at a fraction of the price.

Gabe Carey: Chevrolet Corvette C8

Those familiar with me, whether from the Acceleramota Discord server or beyond, probably wouldn’t expect the Corvette to be among my top 50 cars, let alone my favorite. In part, that has to do with my affinity for European cars – not to mention my high tolerance for frequent trips to and from the shop in my 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. I’m also not 65 years old. 

But this isn’t about my favorite car. It’s a list of the best cars we’ve driven, and I’ll tell you straight up, the Quadrifoglio is far from perfection. That’s not the case for the 2024 Corvette C8 I cruised around in with our Editor-in-Chief, Jeric Jaleco, during the LA Auto Show. The first night I took it back to my hotel after a long day of travel, despite suffering from a horrific hunger migraine, I felt so alive that I even went out of my way to take a detour. “Fun at any speed” is a basic principle I feel every sports car should abide by, and most don’t. At least not anymore.

The first generation of Chevy’s mid-engine Corvette, however, is an exception. What it lacks in a manual transmission, it more than makes up for in good ol’ fashioned fun factor. The paddle shifters are responsive, it hugs corners like a dream, and the two pedals it does have are harmonious with the input of the driver. 

Given the intimate arrangement of the Android Automotive-powered infotainment system, video game-like drive mode controls, and the rest of the center stack, it’s like sitting in the cockpit of a luxurious racecar that’s just as comfy to drive on the road. It’s a grand tourer that out-grand tours the McLaren GT. Add to that the thunderous roar of a naturally aspirated V8 breathing down my shoulder, and you’ve got yourself a near-perfect sports car. Jeric will disagree, as he did on the podcast, but he’ll understand when he’s older.

Nathan Meyer: Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk5)

Fast, fun, and fantastic. Any VW fan will tell you that the Mk5 (pronounced mark-five) Golf GTI revived the nameplate and ushered in a new era of hot hatch. 

As of 2023, it is an 18-year-old car, so it is not the fastest hatch. You’re bound to be disappointed if you compare it to a modern hot hatch. One thing this car has that even the Mk8 Golf GTI does not is fun in bucket-loads. Pulling away from a stoplight will give you the widest smile. You feel connected to the car through corners. Somehow, it does this while still providing insane practicality, so much practicality that even you can entrust your husband’s best friend to bring it back in one piece.

Sure, you will drive faster cars and experience more fun cars. But no car plays the Golf GTI’s role better than the Mk5 GTI. You can summon its power at any moment and take your daughter to ballet the next. It’s the duality of the Mk5 GTI that makes it one of the best cars to drive.

Sheilah Villari: Chevrolet Camaro (Gen 3)

It might be a bit nostalgic, but my favorite car will always be my first. It was so beautiful, and being handed down to me by my mom added an extra layer of specialness. My high school and most of my college car was a teal 1992 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport. My mom was a Camaro and Chevy enthusiast, and this was the sixth one she had owned. Growing up in a beach town, this was the perfect car to park near the waves, pile your friend into, and pull out all your gear. Even if the two-door and hatchback were a pain, she was a shiny gem in the hot southern sun.

The fact that I never got pulled over in this car was a miracle as well. Going around 100 on 95 was not hard. I barely did anything, and this glorious green missile would just glide. And while I did find it hard to see sometimes (being so low to the ground), it handled beautifully. The nights cruising with the windows down, the salty ocean air forced in, and seagulls serenading you on a coastal drive were absolute perfection.

There is something romantic about our fond memories in vehicles like this. They say you never forget your first, and I certainly won’t. I often think about trying to get that sparkly wonder back into my life, broadness and all. 

Joe Tilleli: Mazda CX-5

I’m a simple man. My first new car I leased was a 2015 Mazda CX-5. Comfortable, roomy enough for my needs, handling is great. It’s the perfect crossover vehicle.

When the lease was up after three years, I couldn’t be bothered to go shopping around. So what’d I do? I leased another Mazda CX-5 — the 2018 model this time. And what do you know, another three years blinked away like nothing. I can see the cycle I’m about to be in, so I broke free. I bought out the 2018 model. In hindsight, it would have been better to just finance it from the start but I didn’t account for my laziness to hop around from dealer to dealer in future years. I’m gonna be driving this Mazda CX-5 until it doesn’t drive anymore. Then I’ll probably get another Mazda CX-5.

Ural Garrett: Mazda RX-8

I wouldn’t get my driver’s license and first whip until my last semester at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but there hasn’t been a car that’s imprinted itself on me throughout my lifetime as the Mazda RX-8. As a kid growing up in Los Angeles who was a fan of both the Fast & Furious series and Need For Speed: Most Wanted, the best car I’ve ever driven will be my first car, which I dubbed “05Wankel.” The car fits my personality in so many ways: uniquely built, slightly problematic, but pure, unadulterated fun. 

In 2009, there wasn’t a cooler feeling than blasting Teriyaki Boy’s “Tokyo Drift” as I shifted the six-speed manual and sped down the I-10. I can even vividly remember the first time I did burn out and parking lot donuts.

For a solid six years, the amount of money I spent on replacement tires and cans of motor oil could have definitely gone to the private student loan used to buy the car in the first place. The 255 horsepower allowed me to hit 60 mph in around six seconds, but the way that 9,000-rpm rev limit made my car scream was the real treat. Driving it years later around LA made me appreciate it even more.

Roger Feeley-Lussier: Mercedes Sprinter

In my past life as an unpopular indie pop musician, I spent a lot of time in vans. My first band had a modified Dodge shuttle bus that kind of always felt like it was on the verge of exploding but looked good in our music video. It didn’t have air conditioning, and I’m sure it smelled strange, but it was home for a few years. By that, I mean we literally slept it in 90% of the nights we were on tour (hence the smell.) My next band toured with a Ford cargo van that we think had a past life as a Stanley Steemer fleet vehicle. The quarters were a little tighter, but fortunately, we didn’t sleep in it (unless absolutely necessary.)

On one of Pretty & Nice’s tours, I got a chance to drive a Sprinter van. It belonged to Bobby Burg, a member of the midwestern indie outfit Joan of Arc, as well as dozens of other projects. I can’t remember how it happened, but one day, Bobby, who was touring solo, invited a couple of us to ride with him for the drive across Indiana. He let each of us take a shift, and I don’t even know how to describe the sensation of driving a Sprinter for the first time. 

You feel like you’re on a cloud. You’re very high up but also somehow very close to the road. It corners and accelerates like a much smaller vehicle. The entire time you’re driving a Sprinter, you forget how massive the vehicle you’re piloting is – but it never feels unwieldy (like a box truck.) It’s almost a miracle of engineering.

In my post-touring life, I briefly worked as a rebalancer for Hubway, the Boston bikeshare program. There were (I think) 8 Sprinters in the fleet, and even the “bad one” was so much better than my band’s van that it felt like a dream every time I turned the key. And I haven’t even touched on the most important thing about Sprinters: they can be whatever you need them to be. I’ve seen them modded into campers, offroad vehicles, mobile disaster response vehicles, and more. 

Sure, it’s not a Maybach, but you can’t put very many drumsets into a Maybach. 

General Motors has been hyping up its Ultium battery platform since it was announced in March 2020. The innovative battery system enables a lower center of gravity for electric vehicles and frees up interior space. GM’s latest Ultium release is an all-electric take on Chevrolet’s iconic Silverado 1500 pickup truck. The American automaker is aiming for the commercial market initially with the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV — rolling out their lower-priced WT (Work Truck) trim this summer with the premium RST First Edition trim promised for fall 2023.

While clearly inspired by the beefy Silverado, the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV (much like its cousin the GMC Hummer EV) isn’t simply an electric motor retrofitted into an existing shell. These electric SUVs were purpose designed to lead GM’s electric revolution — enabling a future where size is no longer an impediment to electrification.

With a range of 400mi. on a single charge and up to 754 hp, the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV shows how GM continues to be two steps ahead of their American automaker rivals at Ford when it comes to making that future a reality.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV price and trim level options

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The 2024 Chevy Silverado will be available in two trim levels initially. The WT (or work truck) trim is being marketed to fleet operators who are looking to electrify their commercial vehicles. Despite initial promises that this trim would have an MSRP of around $42,000, the currently available 4WT trim comes in at a whopping $79,800. GM has stated that the full line of Silverado EVs will include trims with shorter ranges and thus, lower MSRPs. The daily-driver targeted RST First Edition trim will set you back $106,895 if you’re willing to wait until it’s released sometime this fall.

Chevy trucks: shop new inventory near you

2024 Chevy Silverado EV 4WT (available now)

• Starting Price: MSRP $79,800 (including destination fee)
• Electric motor power: 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque
• EPA-estimated range: 450 mi.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV 3WT (coming soon)

• Starting Price: estimated MSRP $74,800 (including destination fee)
• Electric motor power: 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque
• EPA-estimated range: 350 mi.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST First Edition (fall 2023)

• Starting price: $106,895 (including destination fee)
• Electric motor power: 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque
• EPA-estimated range: 400 mi.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV exterior color options

• 2024 Chevy Silverado EV WT
  • Summit White
  • Black
• 2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST
  • Black
  • Northsky Blue Metallic
  • Cherry Red Tintcoat
  • Red Hot
  • Greenstone Metallic
  • Silver Ice metallic
  • Iridescent Pearl Tricoat
  • Summit White
  • Mosaic Black Metallic

2024 Chevy Silverado EV interior color options

• Jet Black, Leather
• Jet Black, Choccachino
• Gideon, Atmosphere (leather)

Interior and tech

Thanks to the Ultium system, GM’s designers have considerably more space to work with for the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV’s cabin — and it shows. Silverado drivers should be used to cavernous cockpits, but even the “stripped down” WT trim will feel bigger than you might expect, with a generous space for all five passengers. And the theme of “bigger is better” doesn’t stop there — with the rear seats folded down, the EV’s bed can accommodate items up to 10ft. 10in. Even the eTrunk (you might call it a “frunk”) is massive, offering around 9 cu. ft. of additional storage.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV WT dimensions

Interior space

• Front seat headroom: 41.9″
• Rear seat headroom: 39.7″
• Front seat legroom: 44.8″
• Rear seat legroom: 44.3″
• Front seat hip room: 62.0″
• Rear seat hip room: 61.5″
• Front seat shoulder room: 64.9″
• Rear seat shoulder room: 63.8″

Exterior dimensions:

• Wheelbase: 145.7″
• Overall length: 233.1″
• Overall width: 93.9″ (with mirrors) / 81.6″ (without mirrors)
• Overall height: 78.0″
• Track width (front/rear): 68.9″/68.9″

2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST dimensions

Interior space:

• Front seat headroom: 43.9″
• Rear seat headroom: 38.7″
• Front seat legroom: 44.8″
• Rear seat legroom: 44.3″
• Front seat hip room: 62.0″
• Rear seat hip room: 61.5″
• Front seat shoulder room: 64.9″
• Rear seat shoulder room: 63.8″

Exterior dimensions:

• Wheelbase: 145.7″
• Overall length: 233.1″
• Overall width: 94.3″ (with mirrors) / 83.8″ (without mirrors)
• Overall height: 78.7″
• Track width (front/rear): 68.7″/68.7″

As far as tech goes, the Chevy Silverado EV RST First Edition promises to be fully loaded. GM’s press release even promises access to future technologies that will become “necessities that you’ll never want to drive without.” Self-driving, in the form of GM’s “Super Cruise,” offers hands-free operation on some 400,000 mi. of roads in the US and Canada. The WT trims likely will not include as many bells and whistles but Edmunds’ review of a Silverado EV 4WT found many features will come standard even on the fleet-level versions.

Tech features:

• Super Cruise hands-free operation
• Ultifi software platform for personalization and updates
• Standard Safety Assist
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Front pedestrian braking
  • Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
  • Forward collision alert
  • Intellibeam headlights
  • Following distance indicator
• 17 in. infotainment screen (RST First Edition)
• 11 in. driver instrument display (RST First Edition)
• 14 in. heads-up driver display (RST First Edition)

2024 Chevy Silverado EV electric range and charging times

The flexible Ultium battery platform shines once again with the 2024 Silverado EV. Thus far, GM has rolled out the system on its GMC Hummer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and BrightDrop Zevo electric vehicles with many new models promised in the next few years. The Silverado EV offers impressive range for its considerable size, although future WT trims will have scaled-back battery arrays (and lower MSRPs).

• 2024 Chevy Silverado EV 4WT
  • Electric range: 450 miles
  • Charging time: 10 minutes to 100 miles range (DC Fast Charging up to 350kW)
• 2024 Chevy Silverado EV 3WT
  • Electric range: 350 miles
  • Charging time: 10 minutes to 100 miles range (DC Fast Charging up to 350kW)
• 2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST First Edition
  • Electric range: 400 miles
  • Charging time: 10 minutes to 100 miles range (DC Fast Charging up to 350kW)

2024 Chevy Silverado EV engine and performance

Simply put, with the Chevy Silverado EV, power is the name of the game. While the WT trim will offer a good amount of muscle, clocking in at 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque, GM has been really pushing the RST First Edition’s performance numbers. Their latest test numbers have the 2024 Silverado EV RST First Edition boasting 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque and up to 10,000 lbs. of towing. Compare this to the combustion engine 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 performance trims’ 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

• 2024 Chevy Silverado EV 4WT
  • Electric Motor Power: 510 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque
  • Towing: 10,000 pounds
  • Payload: 1,400 pounds
• 2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST
  • Electric Motor Power: 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque
  • Towing: up to 10,000 pounds
  • Payload: TBA

Design changes

As mentioned above, the 2024 Silverado EV was built from the wheels up to make optimal use of the Ultium battery platform. The RST First Edition will have a number of attractive design elements, including optional 24-inch aluminum wheels, modern lighting accents on the exterior and interior, and a fixed-glass roof for a panoramic view.

The star of the show is the redesigned “Multi-Flex Midgate,” which allows you to extend the floor of the electric pickup truck’s bed to up to 10 ft. 10 in, as seen above. The tailgate’s “inner gate” also can become a step that accommodates up to 375 lbs for easier loading and unloading. All in all, it’s clear GM is hoping that eco-conscious companies in need of pickup truck fleets will adopt the Silverado EV as their primary electric vehicle — and RST First Edition buyers will reap all the benefits of this research and development.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV review round-up

The RST First Edition has only been teased at car shows and press events so far, but a few reporters across the auto-verse have gotten their hands on the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV 4WT. Here are their early thoughts on GM’s latest electric pickup.

The Silverado EV is an intriguing take on an electric pickup. With its unique chassis and class-leading range and power, it’s in many ways a more sophisticated, ambitious take on a full-size electric truck than Ford’s F-150 Lightning. As a result, however, it’s also significantly costlier and heavier. We’ll need more wheel time and a head-to-head comparison to determine which design approach we prefer.

Chris Paukert – Edmunds

Current GM truck owners will quickly acclimate to piloting the electrified Silverado. The 4WT moves along with the quiet refinement expected of an EV, with a synthesized hum playing through its stereo speakers only under hard acceleration. It feels as quick as any Silverado we’ve driven, with a responsiveness that makes short work of passing maneuvers on country roads.

Mike Sutton – Car and Driver

A near-$80,000 starting price for a bare-bones work truck is a tough pill to swallow. We get why that is to a certain extent given its all-new platform and advanced battery tech. But through that same lens, its basic interior and crashy ride quality become much harder to justify.

On its face, though, the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV WT is a promising start. We’ll reserve judgment on its real-world range and towing capabilities outside this very brief preview, but at first pass, it seems to be a no-frills tool that’ll happily keep up with you at the job site. And this is only the beginning.

Kristen Lee – MotorTrend

FAQs

What is the estimated range?

The 2024 Chevy Silverado EV 4WT trim offers an estimated range of 450 mi. on a single charge, while the forthcoming 2024 RST will have an estimated range of 400 mi. GM has promised lower-tier versions of the WT trim in the future with less range and lower starting prices.

Are reservations open?

Unfortunately, as of writing (July 6, 2023) reservations are currently full for the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV, according to Chevy’s website. Interested buyers can leave their email to be notified when reservations re-open.

When will the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV be available?

The production model Chevy Silverado EV 4WT has been rolling off production lines, but unless you’re a fleet operator planning to electrify your commercial vehicles, you’ll have to wait until the RST First Edition premium trim launches sometime in fall 2023.

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