1. Introduction
The Chevrolet Bolt is an all-electric subcompact hatchback produced by American legacy automaker General Motors under the Chevrolet brand.
It officially began production in late 2016 and lasted until mid-2021. Production resumed in early 2022 and lasted until late 2023.
GM announced plans to kill the Chevrolet Bolt in mid-2023. Three months later, they decided to launch a next-gen Chevrolet Bolt rather than ending its production.
The Chevrolet Bolt advanced to become the second top-selling plug-in car in the US market in 2017. It also won the following awards, owing to its innovative features and affordability:
- 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year
- 2017 North American Car of the Year
- Listed in Time magazine’s Best 25 Inventions of 2016
2. New Features in 2023
The most major change in the 2023 Chevy Bolt is a $5,900 price decline compared to the prior model year, reducing its Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) by an astounding $10,900 from the 2021 model for virtually the same car.
In addition, it features an upgraded interior with improved materials and larger passenger and cargo space. GM also redesigned the car’s front seats to include more padding. It also gained Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto access.
3. Design and Aesthetics:
a. Exterior design and style
The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV sports a cute and contemporary design. It has split headlights with a slim LED daytime running light above a blacked-out lower cluster. It also features a C-pillar with a floating roof design. In addition, it rides on 17″ allow wheels.
Presented below are the dimensions of the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV:
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | |
| Wheelbase (in. / mm): | 102.4 / 2600 |
| Overall Length (in. / mm): | 163.2 / 4145 |
| Overall Width (in. / mm): | 69.5 / 1765 |
| Overall Height (in. / mm): | 63.4 / 1611 |
| Track (in. / mm): | 59.1 / 1501 (front) 59.1 / 1501 (rear) |
b. Interior design and materials
The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV utilizes higher-quality materials than the previous model years, with more soft-touch surfaces throughout. Its steering wheel features a sporty flat-bottom design.
As for materials, it has a standard cloth upholstery across all trims. Higher trims also offer leather-appointed seats. It also has an optional heated steering wheel and heated/ventilated front seats.
c. Build quality and fit and finish
Its interior received an upgrade, with higher-quality materials and a more contemporary design, including a new digital gauge cluster and revamped seats. However, panel gaps and alignment might not be as precise as those of more expensive models.
d. Ergonomics and comfort
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt comes with a comfortable and ergonomic interior for both the driver and front passenger. The seats are also upholstered in cloth and offer satisfactory adjustability. There is generous headroom and legroom in the front row, and the seats are supportive for long drives.
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | |
| Headroom (in. / mm): | 40.1 / 1018 (front – max) 37.9 / 962 (rear) |
| Legroom (in. / mm): | 44.3 / 1124 (front – max) 36.0 / 915 (rear) |
| Shoulder Room (in. / mm): | 54.6 / 1388 (front) 52.8 / 1340 (rear) |
| Hip Room (in. / mm): | 51.3 / 1303 (front) 50.6 / 1286 (rear) |
e. Cargo space and storage
The Bolt offers a 16.6 cubic-foot cargo space behind the rear seats, which increases to 57.0 cubic feet in 0/40 split-fold rear seat settings.
4. Performance and Driving Dynamics:
a. Powertrain and battery specifications
| ELECTRIC DRIVE | 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV |
| Type: | Single motor and gearset |
| Motor: | Permanent magnetic drive motor |
| Power: | 200 hp / 150 kW |
| Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm): | 266 / 360 |
| Final drive ratio (:1): | 7.05:1 |
| BATTERY SYSTEM | 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV |
| Type: | Rechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules |
| Mass (lb. / kg): | 947 / 430 |
| Battery chemistry: | Lithium-ion |
| Cells: | 288 |
| Energy: | 65 kWh |
b. Acceleration and top speed
| Model | Acceleration (0-60 mph) | Top Speed (mph) |
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 6.5 seconds | 90.1 mph |
c. Handling and ride quality
The Bolt delivers lively handling and responsive steering. It also corners well with a slight body roll, making it more enjoyable to drive even on twisty roads. However, its ride quality may get jerky on rough roads.
d. Braking performance
It has traditional friction brakes that function similarly to those in gas-powered vehicles, aiding in slowing the car down. It also offers Automatic Emergency Brakes (AEB) and an anti-lock Braking System (ABS) to further improve its braking performance.
e. Regenerative braking
Its system uses regenerative braking, which slows down the car and recaptures energy to extend the driving range. The Bolt EV offers several regenerative braking modes, enabling various braking force levels by simply lifting your foot off the pedal.
5. Range, Charging, and Efficiency:
a. EPA-estimated range and real-world range
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | |
| EPA Range | 259 miles |
| Edmunds Tested Range | 278 mi. |
b. Charging options and infrastructure
| Charging | 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV |
| 120 V: | 4 miles / Approx. 6 km of range per hour |
| 240 V: | 39 miles per hour of charge – Full charge in approx. 7 hours |
| DC Fast Charge: | Up to 100 miles in 30 minutes |
c. Energy consumption and efficiency
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | |
| EPA city/highway MPGe | 131/109 MPGe |
| EPA combined MPGe | 120 MPGe |
6. Infotainment and Connectivity:
a. Dashboard and instrument cluster
The dashboard is highlighted by a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which serves as the focal point of the vehicle’s technological features. In addition, it offers an 8.0-inch fully digital gauge cluster. It also has physical knobs for volume and tuning.
b. Infotainment system and features
It features the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with a 10.2-inch diagonal color touchscreen. Some features include:
- Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
- Alexa connectivity
- Customizable charging
c. Smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto)
It supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
d. Over-the-air software updates
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV offers over-the-air (OTA) software updates. However, it is currently limited, with a focus on the infotainment system.
7. Safety and Driver Assistance:
a. Driver assistance and safety systems (ADAS)
- Standard automatic high-beams
- Front pedestrian detection
- A 360-degree camera system
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
8. Reliability, Maintenance, and Warranty:
a. Reliability and build quality concerns
The first-gen Bolt has been recalled at least three times due to safety concerns. There have been reports of at least 16 incidents where Bolts caught fire, which led to a recall to fix or replace the battery components. In August 2021, GM advised Bolt owners to park their vehicles in open areas at least 50 feet (15 m) away from other vehicles.
b. Maintenance and service requirements
No data.
c. Warranty coverage and options
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers eight years or 100,00 miles
- Complimentary maintenance covers one scheduled visit
d. Insurance costs and considerations
| Insurance Provider | Average Annual Cost |
| PEMCO | $880 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $1,053 |
| Unigard | $1,179 |
| Oregon Mutual | $1,324 |
| Chubb | $1,476 |
| Travelers | $1,471 |
| GMAC Insurance Group | $1,638 |
| Penn National | $1,644 |
| USAA | $1,690 |
| Allied | $1,811 |
e. Resale value and depreciation
| Years Old | Depreciation | Residual Value | Resale Value |
| 1 | $2,211 | 93.50% | $31,807 |
| 2 | $4,820 | 85.83% | $29,198 |
| 3 | $5,443 | 84.00% | $28,575 |
| 4 | $5,647 | 83.40% | $28,371 |
| 5 | $9,335 | 72.56% | $24,683 |
| 6 | $11,767 | 65.41% | $22,251 |
| 7 | $14,628 | 57.00% | $19,390 |
| 8 | $17,148 | 49.59% | $16,870 |
| 9 | $19,421 | 42.91% | $14,597 |
| 10 | $23,081 | 32.15% | $10,937 |
9. Comparison to Competitors:
a. Comparison against competitors
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 2023 Tesla Model 3 | |
| Starting MSRP | $27,495* | $40,380* |
| Horsepower | 200 hp | 271 hp* |
| Torque | 266 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft* |
| Electric Motor Output | 150.0 kW | – |
| EPA Electric Range | 259 mile | 259 mile |
The Bolt EV is an excellent option for EV shoppers who prioritize practicality and a roomy interior while also being budget-conscious. On the other hand, the Model 3 provides:
- A more luxurious experience
- Outstanding performance (especially the Performance model)
- Access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network
However, the Tesla electric sedan sells at a substantially higher price tag.
10. Variants and Pricing:
a. Available trims, options, and pricing
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | Pricing |
| 1LT | $27,495 |
| 2LT | $30,695 |
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt is among the most affordable electric vehicles in the market, offering a decent driving range. It is undoubtedly a good option for budget-conscious buyers who seek to buy a practical and fun-to-drive electric car for daily use.
11. Conclusion:
Compared to other available models in the market, the Bolt EV boasts a very attractive starting price tag. Despite its compact size, it provides surprisingly reasonable passenger and cargo space and a decent driving range. Therefore, the model is definitely a solid choice for drivers who prioritize affordability, practicality, and a good driving range.
In general, the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a good value for the price. It is a practical, affordable electric car model with a good driving range. If you are looking for an electric vehicle that would not break the bank, the Bolt EV is a great option.
