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?
Official information on the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV was unavailable as of this writing, but we’re not expecting any major changes. Reportedly, the Bolt EV was set to receive a mid-cycle refresh, but those plans were delayed by COVID-19 to the 2022 model year.
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.
| BASE PRICE RANGE (2020) | $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 |
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