The Best New Car Bargain

With interest in electric vehicles rising and new-car prices skyrocketing, the Chevrolet Volt EV and its larger, better-looking Bolt EUV sibling are finally beginning to take for granted buyers. When the Bolt was named Car of the Year in 2017, it was (and still is) recognized for its technical achievements and incredible value, but car buyers either didn’t understand its design or weren’t sure about it. I didn’t notice the (almost non-existent) marketing.

Most buyers largely ignored it, but like a fine red wine, the Volt just got better with age. Launching in 2021, the Bolt EUV features more interior space, a more modern look, and the option to be equipped with the best hands-free highway driving system on the market today. Now, with massive price cuts for 2023, what was already an affordable and great car is turning into a real bargain.

Combining the two models, the Volt will have its best-selling year in 2022, and Chevrolet is ramping up production to 70,000 from 44,000 this year in anticipation of increased demand in 2023.

When Chevrolet slashed its 2023 price by $6,300, the $28,195 Bolt EUV became the second-cheapest EV sold in America. Even the fully loaded $37,855 Bolt EUV Premier we tested feels like a steal in these wild times, according to Kelly Blue Book, the average EV will be above his $66,000 in July 2022 was sold at Despite the low price, all Bolt EUVs are rated at a competitive 247 miles of range, and we measured 200 miles of real-world highway range. later).

If automakers and lawmakers really want electric cars in every driveway and parking lot in America, they’ll need more EVs like the Bolt EUV.

The Bolt EUV also democratizes advanced driver assistance technology. For $2,200, GM’s optional Super Cruise system allows you to drive over 400,000 miles of US and Canadian highways hands-free with supervision. That’s a fraction of what Tesla charges for full self-driving capabilities that require you to get behind the wheel, but it’s still less reliable than GM’s tech. Note that after 3 years you will need an OnStar subscription (currently $25/month) to use Super Cruise.

This little crossover will pleasantly surprise buyers accustomed to the noisy, asthmatic four-cylinder engines and rubbery continuously variable transmissions of economy cars and compact SUVs. It confidently takes him to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, gliding down the road into the cabin with only a quiet murmur from the outside world. Of course, all EVs are quiet, but the Bolt benefits from solid build quality. The squeaks, rattles, and squeaks are amplified in a near-silent electric car, but even on Michigan’s battered roads, the Bolt we drove didn’t peep.

The extensive technology built into the Bolt EUV’s Premier trim enhances the value proposition. It includes front and rear parking sensors, a sharp 360-degree camera system, and a rearview mirror that can display a video feed when cargo or passengers block your view. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen is intuitive whether you’re using his wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto features. Luxurious equipment such as seat heaters, ventilated seats, and rear seat heaters are also available.

I also appreciate that it’s not a bolt. It’s not a status symbol or a purchase that shows virtue. Not expensive. It is not necessarily a promise of one year ahead of production. Your opinion does not match the opinion of the world’s loudest billionaire. This is a non-fancy car for non-fancy people who value efficiency in both how they use energy and how they spend money.

For many buyers, the Bolt EUV will never be more than a second car for two main reasons. First, even a big bolt is a small vehicle. When Chevrolet expanded the Bolt EV into his EUV, it gave rear-seat passengers more room, but the compact cargo hold didn’t get any bigger. There’s enough space in there for his family of four to feed him for the week, with a stroller and groceries, but it would be difficult to carry both at the same time. Many drivers of Toyota RAV4s, Honda CR-Vs and Chevrolet Equinoxes will be limited by the lack of storage space.

Another problem: The Bolt’s Ice Age DC fast-charging speeds are impractical for road trips where you need a charge to reach your destination. The Bolt EUV added just 35 miles of freeway range in the first 15 minutes of our fast-charge test. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the fastest charging EVs on the road today (and his 2023 SUV of the Year), and in the same period he covered 138 miles.

Oh, and the red stripes on the wheels and mirror caps included in the $495 Redline package are ridiculous. Stuff like this is why no one thinks you’re cool, Chevrolet.

There are some space and charging drawbacks to consider, but all in all, the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV isn’t just an EV bargain, it’s a car bargain.

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