The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is one of the greatest values on the road today. Not only does this all-electric crossover have a spacious, nicely trimmed interior, the Bolt EUV also offers plenty of smart features, has decent range between charges and is available for practically a bargain-basement price. Few vehicles available today, especially in the EV space, give you so much for so little.
Value-minted motorists are sure to love the big number at the bottom of the 2023 Bolt EUV’s window sticker. Chevy slashed both the Bolt hatchback and Bolt EUV crossover’s prices for the latest model year. These vehicles are $6,300 less than before, which is great news in a world of steep inflation and ever-rising costs. With no options, the base LT model starts around $28,000 including $995 in destination fees. The fancy Premier model with all kinds of amenities – like Super Cruise – goes for about $37,000, which is still a tremendous value.
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But just because it’s supremely affordable doesn’t mean this Chevy is blatantly low rent. No, the Bolt EUV’s cabin won’t rival anything from Bentley, but it’s still a lot nicer than you might expect – roomy, comfortable and extremely well built.
Two interior color schemes are offered in this all-electric utility vehicle: You can get black or, as this tester has, light gray. There are plenty of low-sheen soft plastics on the dashboard and door panels, and the assembly quality is excellent. Everything fits together nicely and is tight – except for the standard-issue GM control stalks that feel like they’re going to snap off whenever you change lanes or turn the wipers on. Eh, you can’t win ‘em all.
They’re not the greatest things my backside has ever perched upon, but the seats in this vehicle are good. This Premier model’s front chairs are heated and cooled, plus the outboard rear spots have butt warmers, too. For adult passengers, there’s plenty of headroom and legroom in the backseat, and the cargo space might surprise you. There’s more than 16 cubic feet with the rear backrests up and nearly 57 cubes with them folded down. In this configuration, the floor is also nearly flat, which makes loading cargo much easier.
The technology offered in this Chevy is generally excellent. Every model comes standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen that’s home to a Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus multimedia array. This system is super intuitive and very responsive, almost never lagging or stuttering, even when pinching and zooming like crazy on the navigation map. This infotainment system also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both of which can connect wirelessly if you want. For added convenience, there’s also a wireless charging pad, so your phone is always juiced up.
That central touchscreen is augmented by an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. The graphics look a little hokey, but the display is easy to read. Another praiseworthy aspect of the Bolt EUV’s interior is the fact that it has physical climate controls. Real buttons and toggles are far easier to see and use than virtual controls buried somewhere in the infotainment system.
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But without a doubt, my favorite tech feature in the Bolt EUV is Super Cruise, GM’s groundbreaking hands-free driving aid. This technology debuted a few years ago at Cadillac, but the automaker is finally spreading this amenity around its other divisions – and that’s great news for value-minded motorists with places to go. The system currently works on some 200,000 miles of approved roadway in the US and Canada – that is, limited-access, divided highways. When the conditions are right, you just engage Super Cruise and then sit back and relax as the car steers, brakes and accelerates all on its own. There is a driver-monitoring camera and you do have to pay attention, because the system can request that you take over driving at any time, such as during inclement weather or while going through a construction zone. Nope, you can’t play with your phone or take a nap while this system is engaged.
Even though the Bolt EUV doesn’t come with the latest and greatest version of Super Cruise, which can change lanes automatically and be used while towing, this system is still absolutely phenomenal, easy to use and immediately confidence inspiring. It feels rock solid and incredibly smooth. It’s a cut above Ford’s BlueCruise, which tends to wander and often disengages while navigating even mild curves.
Another upside to the Bolt EUV is that it offers respectable range. With a full battery, the EPA says this vehicle should be able to go 247 miles between charges. That’s more than a 2023 Nissan Leaf SV Plus. This Chevy also tops nearly every version of the Toyota bZ4X, which is a vehicle class above. As for other rivals, the Hyundai Kona Electric and 2023 Kia Niro EV have slightly more range, but in both cases the difference is just a couple miles.
When it’s time to replenish the battery, this all-electric crossover comes with an 11.5-kW onboard charger, which is very good. AC charging at home from a 48-amp circuit will get you about 37 miles of range per hour. That’s quick enough to completely fill the battery in 7 hours. Unfortunately, this Chevy’s DC fast charging performance is hugely disappointing, as it tops out at just 55 kW, which is laughably slow for the 2023 model year. As always, your mileage will vary, but GM claims that performance is still potent enough to get you 95 miles of range in 30 minutes. Still because of that DC fast charging speed, the Bolt EUV is far from an ideal road trip vehicle.
Driving performance is another downside to the Bolt EUV as well; this crossover’s dynamics are totally meh. There’s nothing to love about the steering, which is numb, the brake pedal feels rubbery and the acceleration isn’t great. Don’t get me wrong, the EUV’s giddy-up is perfectly fine for normal, everyday use. Chevy says this vehicle can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds, though it never feels zippy the way other EVs do because there’s no obvious surge of torque despite having 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of twist on tap. The Bolt just kind of moseys along when you hit the accelerator.
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This is purely subjective, but one other thing I don’t care for is this Chevy’s styling. In the grand scheme of things looks don’t matter that much, but from nearly every angle this crossover is a frump. Tall, narrow and stubby, the proportions just aren’t flattering. I’m sorry to say, this vehicle is about as stylish as a baggy pair of overalls. Other electrics like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y even the upcoming Chevy Equinox EV are far more attractive than the Bolt EUV.
Still, thanks to its thoughtful cabin, excellent interior tech, respectable range, available Super Cruise and clearance-sale pricing, the 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV is one of the best deals in the electric vehicle world right now. If you don’t mind the looks and aren’t planning any cross-country trips, take one for a test drive. I bet you’ll be impressed, too.
At a glance
- Year: 2023
- Make: Chevrolet
- Model: Bolt EUV
- Trim: Premier
- Type: 4-door all-electric crossover
- Horsepower: 200
- Torque: 266
- MPGe ratings (city/highway/combined): 125/104/115
- Range: 247 miles
- Pros: Low price, excellent infotainment system, good interior, available Super Cruise
- Cons: Performance isn’t great, weak DC fast charging, frumpy looks
- Estimated Base price: $28,195 including $995 in destination fees
- As-tested price: $37,390 including $995 in destination fees
