IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:
The Bolt EV is the first affordably priced pure-electric vehicle to offer a driving range that comfortably exceeds 200 miles on a full charge, and it’s also versatile for its size and engaging to drive.
BUT…
Some interior materials look and feel cheap.
WORTH NOTING:
Unlike many pure-electric vehicles, the Bolt EV is available in all 50 states.
WHAT IS IT?
The Bolt EV is a subcompact-sized 4-door hatchback that debuted for 2017 as Chevrolet’s first mass-market pure-electric vehicle. The Bolt EV’s EPA-estimated driving range of 259 miles tops the range of most comparably priced electric vehicles—at least for now. A 66-kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the Bolt EV’s 200-horsepower electric motor. Charging the battery from empty takes around ten hours on a Level 2 charger and more than 60 hours on a traditional household outlet. Charging via the Bolt’s optional Level 3 charge port can replenish up to 100 miles of range in 30 minutes.
The Bolt EV is available in base LT or top-line Premier trim. Standard features on both include keyless access and starting, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, and Chevrolet’s MyLink touchscreen infotainment system. LT options include heated front seats and steering wheel, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear obstacle detection. The Premier comes standard with the above features, and adds leather upholstery, heated rear seats, 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rearview-camera mirror. A Driver Confidence II package adds lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, forward collision alert with low-speed automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and automatic high-beam headlights.
WHAT’S NEW?
The Bolt EV’s EPA range estimate is bumped up by 21 miles, to 259 miles on a full charge. Oasis Blue and Cayenne Orange Metallic are added to the paint-color palette, and the rear-vision and surround-vision features are upgraded with high-definition cameras.
FUEL ECONOMY
The EPA rates the Bolt EV at 127 MPGe city/108 highway/118 combined.
VALUE IN CLASS
By most any measure, the Bolt EV is a breakthrough vehicle. Its 259-mile estimated driving range and relatively affordable pricing are the headline grabbers, but the Bolt’s space-efficient interior, peppy acceleration, and feature-rich control interface are also noteworthy. The Bolt EV makes the prospect of owning an electric vehicle plausible—and desirable—for a much broader swath of the car-buying public.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt Best Buy Review
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $36,620 – $41,020 (Tax Credits May Be Available) |
| BODY STYLES | 4-Door Hatchback |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 200-HP Electric Motor |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Front-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | USA |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE | 108-127 MPGe |
Other Best Buys in this Class
None
