FEATURED REVIEW · ELECTRIC VEHICLES
2027 Chevrolet Bolt Review: Better Where It Matters Most
Chevrolet's affordable EV returns with faster charging, a refined powertrain and impressive practicality. Apparently, good things can happen twice.
The Chevrolet Bolt is back. At first glance, you might wonder if it ever left. The 2027 model looks remarkably similar to the outgoing Bolt EUV, but underneath that familiar sheet metal, General Motors has made some meaningful changes.
There's a new electric motor, lithium-iron phosphate battery, updated electrical architecture and NACS charging port. That's a substantial engineering investment for a vehicle Chevrolet says will only be around for a limited time. Apparently, the Bolt is doing an encore rather than signing up for another season.
Starting at just under $29,000 including destination, the Bolt remains one of America's most affordable electric vehicles. Every trim gets the same 65-kWh battery and EPA-estimated 262 miles of range. No need to buy the expensive version to get the good battery. How refreshing.
The biggest improvement is charging. DC fast charging now peaks at 150 kilowatts, up from the original Bolt's leisurely 55 kW. Chevrolet says a 10-to-80-percent charge takes just 26 minutes. That's a major improvement, particularly if you've ever spent quality time in a Walmart parking lot waiting for electrons.
On the road, the Bolt is surprisingly entertaining. Its compact dimensions make it excellent in urban traffic, and the battery's low placement gives it an eagerness through corners that's uncommon at this price. There's even some steering feedback. Not enough to frighten a Porsche, but enough to make a winding road enjoyable.
The electric powertrain is smooth, quiet and refined. On good pavement, the suspension delivers a comfortable ride. When the asphalt gets rough, though, the Bolt can bounce and buck a little. Think enthusiastic puppy rather than sophisticated grand tourer. If your commute resembles a lunar landscape, take your test drive there.
Inside, Chevrolet has made excellent use of the Bolt's modest footprint. Passenger room is generous, storage compartments are seemingly everywhere, and maximum cargo capacity reaches 56 cubic feet. Someone on the design team clearly had a deep appreciation for places to put things.
Unfortunately, the accountants also appear to have attended the interior design meetings. Hard plastics dominate the cabin, and some surfaces could use a little more cushioning. The front seats may feel undersized to larger drivers, though smaller occupants might find them just right.
The updated infotainment system is quick, responsive and generally easy to navigate. Integrated Google services work well, and the available surround-view cameras can double as a dashcam. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection are absent. GM would prefer you use its system, thank you very much.
Optional Super Cruise brings hands-free highway driving with automatic lane changes and other useful capabilities. It's a compelling feature for commuters who spend plenty of time on compatible highways. For someone whose daily drive consists of six stoplights and a grocery run, perhaps less so.
There are other compromises. No front trunk, no available power liftgate and, regrettably, no regenerative braking paddle. That last one was a particularly useful feature on the original Bolt. GM, if you're listening, we'd like it back. And yes, I checked under the seats. It's gone for sure.
Still, the positives substantially outweigh the negatives. The Bolt is affordable, efficient, practical and genuinely enjoyable to drive. Faster charging removes one of the original model's most significant limitations, while its small exterior dimensions conceal a surprisingly useful cabin.
It's the kind of car that makes electric transportation accessible without making the owner feel like they've settled for something inferior.
The unfortunate part is Chevrolet's limited production plan. Just as the Bolt becomes the car it probably should have been all along, GM is preparing to move on.
The automotive equivalent of a pop-up restaurant. Excellent food, reasonable prices, and you'd better get there before it closes.