The Chevrolet Bolt was early on the EV scene and we lauded it for its relatively spacious interior, fun-to-drive nature and solid amount of range. Those qualities are still present with the latest Bolt, and they're joined by a nicer interior and excellent value. A mediocre ride quality and relatively slow DC fast charging are drawbacks, but overall the Bolt is a smart pick for a low-priced EV.
Chevrolet Bolt EV Review
Pros
- Big on value
- Spacious cabin
- Easy to see out of
Cons
- Ride can get choppy on rough pavement
- Relatively slow DC fast-charging capability
- Cargo area is a bit small
What's new
- No major changes for 2023
- Part of the first Bolt generation introduced for 2017
Overview
Since its introduction back in 2017, the Chevrolet Bolt has been a solid choice for buyers looking for a compact EV. Its EPA-estimated range of 259 miles on a full charge is plenty for daily driving and suitable for an occasional road trip as well. We've also run the Bolt through Edmunds' real-world range test and it performed admirably, going 278 miles.
Some rival EVs can go farther, but they're typically more expensive. Value, in fact, is the biggest draw for the 2023 Bolt. It's a relatively inexpensive EV to begin with, and it further benefits from a big discount from Chevrolet and latest federal EV tax credit rules, under which the Bolt now qualifies.
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt isn't necessarily an electric vehicle you will get excited about. The Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are more powerful and stylish, for example, and the Hyundai Kona Electric and Mini Cooper SE are a bit more fun to drive. But from a logical standpoint, the Bolt is a winner. Read our Expert Rating below to learn more about the Bolt's strengths and weaknesses.
What's it like to live with?
Edmunds bought and tested a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV for about three years, racking up about 34,000 miles in the process. We liked it as an efficient commuter car but were disappointed with its interior quality. You can read more about our experiences in our long-term Chevy Bolt test. The 2023 Bolt has some updates compared to that 2017 car, but many of our impressions still apply.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Performance
8.5/10
How does the Bolt EV drive? The Bolt scooted from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds in our testing, which is reasonably quick for an EV in this price range. You can merge onto freeways with ease or overtake when you need it. The Bolt's brakes are consistent and easy to control if you prefer to not use the single-pedal mode to do most of your slowing from regenerative braking. We like the latter since it requires less effort and improves range. There's even an additional steering-wheel regen braking paddle for those who want to maximize energy recuperation.
The Bolt responds smoothly to steering inputs without feeling darty. The steering feel and feedback are good, and the car stays straight ahead on the highway without demanding driver attention. When the road begins to curve, the Bolt feels nimble and sure-footed.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Bolt EV? The front seats now have adequate cushioning compared to those in previous model years. They're no longer a literal pain in our backsides on long road trips, though we still think they could use a little more thigh bolstering. The Bolt's ride quality, however, is still overly busy and choppy because the suspension struggles to absorb pavement cracks and sharp-edged potholes.
When the pavement is smooth, so is the Bolt. The updated climate controls are straightforward and have redundant functions on the touchscreen and below the screen with physical buttons. The system reacts quickly, and the 2LT trim comes standard with heated front seats and steering wheel. We also like the Bolt's quiet cabin. Wind noise is not an issue.
Interior
8.5/10
How’s the interior? The controls are thoughtfully arranged, with a handy volume knob and tune buttons to the left of the touchscreen. The transmission controls, which are now a row of buttons instead of the previous Bolt's conventional shift lever, take a quick moment to get used to. The digital instrument panel is configurable to show key information such as battery information, driver efficiency and power output. We found it simple to settle in behind the wheel thanks to a height-adjustable driver's seat and a generous telescoping steering wheel.
All of the doors open wide, and the roofline is tall all the way to the rear hatch. The Bolt feels much larger inside than you might expect with the exception of its width. The cabin is a bit narrow, but there's plenty of head- and legroom. Peek-a-boo windows help you see past the front roof pillars, and an available 360-degree camera system aids visibility.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard. These smartphone integration systems are all you get for in-car navigation because an integrated navigation system isn't offered. The touchscreen is big and responsive. Two front USB ports (one regular and one USB-C) come standard, and you get additional ports for the rear passengers when jumping up to the 2LT trim.
Forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assistance come standard on the Bolt, and you get blind-spot warning and a surround-view camera system with the 2LT. These driver aids generally work well, though we found the adaptive cruise control (optional for the 2LT) brakes a little too late for comfort when using the closest distance setting.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? Considering its size, the Bolt has a good amount of space inside for small items. The front door pockets, center console and glovebox are adequate. There's also a plus-sized phone cubbie with a wireless charger in front of the transmission gear selector and an open space for a handbag or something of similar size under the center console.
At 16.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, the cargo area is smaller than the competition. But it's still useful and it also has a floor panel that provides hidden storage or that can be removed to carry bulkier items. The Bolt also works out pretty well for family taxi duty. The car seat anchors for child safety seats are easy to locate, and there are top tethers on all three rear seat positions. The rear doors open wide enough to fit bulky rear-facing seats inside.
Range and Efficiency
8.0/10
How are the range and efficiency? The EPA estimates the Bolt can travel 259 miles on a single charge, making it one of the better ranges in the segment for the cost. It's also estimated to return 100 miles for every 28 kWh of electricity used. In Edmunds' real-world EV range testing, the Bolt was able to travel 278 miles on a single charge at a slightly more efficient 25.7 kWh per 100 miles. Considering the Nissan Leaf returned 237 miles in our testing and the Mini SE 150 miles, the Bolt definitely has the range advantage over the class.
The Bolt comes with an upgraded dual-level charge cord, which allows owners to swap between Level 1 (120-volt) and Level 2 (240-volt) charging. However, to make full use of the new Bolt's more powerful 11-kW onboard charger (previously it was 7.7 kW), you'll need dedicated wall charging hardware since the included cord maxes out at 7.2 kW. The one downside here is the Bolt's fast-charging speed tops out at 55 kW, which means you'll need to spend more time at a DC fast-charging station to recharge the battery. Rival EVs can charge twice (or even three times) as quickly.
Value
8.0/10
Is the Bolt EV a good value? Chevrolet gave the latest generation Bolt more padding on the front seats, upgraded interior materials, and more features such as an adaptive cruise system and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. To help compete with some newer EVs, the Bolt's entry price was also lowered. However, now that the $7,500 federal tax credit is back in play for Bolt, it's now the most affordable new EV you can buy right now.
The Bolt's basic warranty of three years/36,000 miles is par for the course, but the electric components — especially the battery — are covered for eight years/100,000 miles. Roadside assistance lasts for five years/60,000 miles, which ain't shabby, and free maintenance lasts for 24,000 miles.
Wildcard
8.0/10
The Bolt's playful nimbleness and one-pedal driving afforded by the good regenerative braking effect are very entertaining and remain in its refreshed form. It's a surprisingly enjoyable EV to drive. The upright hatchback styling doesn't stand out in a crowd, but the refreshed exterior design can be polarizing. Thankfully the updated interior makes the Bolt look more futuristic and spacious. It continues to deliver solid green street cred and low-cost long-range performance.
Which Bolt EV does Edmunds recommend?
Go for the Bolt's 2LT trim. It adds a considerable number of tech and nice-to-have features, as well as unlocking some options not available on the 1LT model. One of those options is the Infotainment package. It adds an upgraded Bose stereo, a surround-view camera system, a wireless charging pad and more USB ports. To that we'd also get the adaptive cruise control system to make traffic jams just that much easier.
Chevrolet Bolt EV models
The 2023 Bolt is available in two trims: the 1LT and 2LT. Both models are equipped with a 65-kWh battery pack under the floor, sending power to a single electric motor (200 horsepower, 266 lb-ft) that drives the front wheels. The EPA's estimated range is the same on both trims: 259 miles on a full charge, though we've exceeded that during our real-world testing