10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Rivian R1S, Kia EV9 More Worthy Than Chevrolet Trailblazer
Are you a student-athlete-ferrying suburban SUV parent or forward-looking alternative-energy type when it comes to cars? Well, good news: You needn’t choose between the two personas. But if you want a large three-row SUV that doesn’t have a gas cap and plugs into an EV charger in your garage at night while recovering from pro bono chauffeur duty, you’ll still have to choose among the available models, narrow though the field may be. Two top contenders are the 2024 Kia EV9 and the 2024 Rivian R1S, separated in price by some $30,000 but neither one cheap.
Related: We Bought a 2024 Kia EV9
In one of Cars.com’s most popular articles of the past month, our expert reviewers compared and contrasted these two all-electric SUVs to better help would-be buyers choose what’s most important to them and which plug-in passenger hauler has the more desirable combination of those things. The 74-grand-plus as-tested EV9 compared favorably in acceleration, cabin space, storage, infotainment and ride comfort, but it fell short with its blah interior appointments, one-pedal driving, front trunk space and side-view visibility. The R1S, meanwhile, crested the six-figure mark as tested and impressed with ample acceleration, easy one-pedal driving, well-controlled ride, comfortable seats, accommodating frunk and user-friendly touchscreen interface, but it lost points for a rough ride, underwhelming interior, lacking physical controls and no shade (not as in “no disrespect,” but as in literally too little shade from the glass panel roof).
For the full comparo of the EV9 and R1S — including our conclusion as to which you should buy and whether either all-electric SUV is worth its shocking price — follow the link below to the No. 5 news story in this month’s countdown of most read articles.
Farther down the list is a rapid-fire roundup of the pros and cons of the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer, updated for the new model year with exterior styling tweaks and a new infotainment system. The subcompact SUV scored points with Cars.com reviewers for its surprisingly roomy occupant compartment and cargo space relative to its pipsqueak profile; considerate cubbies and crannies for miscellaneous stowage, as well as a power liftgate and fold-flat front passenger seat; and new user-friendly multimedia touchscreen that measures 11 inches and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the other hand, we felt burned by the Trailblazer’s sometimes-chintzy cabin materials; rather wimpy powertrain that’s noisy and comparably inefficient to boot; lack of sportiness even in its sportiest trim; and inability to justify the roughly $34,000 as-tested price when more appealing small SUVs are available for smaller money.
For the full details on what we love and loathe about the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer, follow the link below to the No. 10 news story from June.
Beyond that, we’ve got headlines on the Tesla Model Y, Toyota Crown Signia and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past month:
1. Do I Need to Use Engine Oil or Fuel Additives?
2. 2024 Cars.com American-Made Index: Which Cars Are the Most American?
3. Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy
4. What Are the Best 2024 Hybrids for the Money?
5. Is the 2024 Rivian R1S Worth Almost $30,000 More Than Our 2024 Kia EV9?
6. Electric Cars With the Longest Range
7. 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Review: Another Niche Offering
8. Which Automaker Owns Your Luxury Brand?
9. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
10. Is the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer a Good SUV? 3 Pros, 4 Cons
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