Overview

What's New for 2021

Chevrolet equips the Bolt EV in LT and Premier trim levels.

Pricing starts around $36,500 for the Bolt EV LT, before options or incentives. It comes standard with an all-electric drivetrain, 17-inch alloy wheels, a tire inflator kit, automatic headlamps, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a backup camera, and heated side mirrors. Chevy includes amenities like a power-operated liftgate, cloth seat upholstery, a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, remote engine start, keyless access/ignition, automatic climate control, a 6-speaker audio system, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, in-car WiFi, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The Premier brings the price to about $42,000. It adds a surround-view camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a heated leather steering wheel.

Among the Bolt EV’s optional features are driver safety technologies like forward-collision warning, auto emergency braking, and more. Premier trim buyers can add the Infotainment Package, including wireless smartphone charging, a seven-speaker Bose premium audio system, and dual rear USB ports.

The Bolt EV runs on an electric drive unit that requires zero gasoline, just electricity provided by recharging the onboard battery at home or a roadside charging station. The Bolt EV makes the equivalent of 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, and Chevrolet says it can accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds.

The Bolt EV is simple to recharge, with an onboard charging module that allows owners to recharge the battery overnight using an available 240-volt cable. There is a 120-volt portable charger cord included, but this returns much slower recharging capabilities. DC fast charging is available on the LT (standard with Premier), allowing users to add up to 100 miles of charge in 30 minutes via a public charging station.

Drivers can drive the Bolt LT using two pedals like a typical car or with just the accelerator pedal; stepping off the pedal causes the vehicle to slow down. Stepping on the brake pedal allows the driver to stop immediately. Chevy also includes a Regen on Demand steering wheel paddle that lets you capture the energy that would otherwise be lost while the vehicle is coasting or braking, rerouting that energy back to the battery.

Though the Bolt EV can’t exactly be measured for fuel economy as it doesn’t run on gas or diesel, the EPA has given it gas mileage-equivalent numbers. It returns approximately 127 miles in the city and 108 miles on the highway.

Chevrolet designed a functional and roomy cabin for passengers. The streamlined dashboard and uncluttered center console allows for an airier feel. There are superb headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers; the back row has space, though taller adults may feel snug.

There is adequate interior storage, with cup holders, uncovered bins, and trays next to the window controls. The outward visibility is excellent, thanks to tall windows, plus small window cut-outs in the front pillar. Optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and bird’s-eye view camera give the driver even more aware of the surroundings.

The LT comes with contrasting dark and light gray cloth seats and a standard steering wheel with multifunction buttons. The Premier offers that color combination in leather or shoppers can go for a uniform dark gray color scheme. It also adds a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Bolt EV comes standard with a large infotainment touchscreen that is bright and easy to use. Chevy includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy smartphone connectivity and virtually endless multimedia choices. In-car WiFi also expands options for mobile productivity and entertainment. And since the Bolt EV doesn’t have a typical engine like most cars, it does not need the traditional fuel gauges behind the steering wheel; instead, Chevrolet gives drivers a digital screen that tracks things like speed, battery capacity, and more.

The Bolt EV has a 16.9-cubic-foot cargo capacity. Folding down the back seat expands that to an impressive 56.6 cubic feet.