The Chevy Bolt EUV is our highest-rated electric vehicle under $35,000 and a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner. Pricing starts at $27,800. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV offers 247 miles of range for a sticker price of under $30,000, plus a roomier backseat than the standard Bolt. Those are three big reasons we named it our Best Electric Car Under $35,000 this year. All-new last year, the Chevy Bolt EUV joined the Bolt EV in the Chevrolet electric-car stable, with the U signifying utility.Rear passengers climbing out of the EV and into the EUV will appreciate the expanded legroom, however. And that’s the main reason for choosing the EUV over its sibling, since they have the same drivetrain and almost the same equipment. Another difference is that the top Premier trim of this Bolt EUV is eligible for the Super Cruise hands-free driving feature. The smaller 2023 Chevy Bolt EV is reviewed separately. Chevrolet has announced the production of the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV will come to an end in late 2023.
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Pricing
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV has a starting sticker price of $28,795, with the range-topping Bolt EUV Premier kicking off at $33,270. But Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Pricing currently suggests paying $1,219 to $1,271 less than MSRP, depending on trim and equipment. These prices are updated weekly.
MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
LT | $28,795 | $27,576 | ||
Premier | $33,270 | $31,999 |
Driving the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Although it’s no sports car, the 2023 Bolt EUV is sufficiently zippy and great in the dart-and-brake context of city driving. Another attribute that’s ideal for the in-town grind is one-pedal driving. Unless a quick stop is required, the driver doesn’t have to touch the brakes quite so much. Just lift off the accelerator or press back down to get going again. This is made possible by the Bolt EUV’s Regen on Demand, with different intensities of brake energy regeneration. Clicking the shift paddle beneath the steering wheel and selecting the highest level of regeneration accesses this one-pedal trick. During longer trips on quieter roads (and short trips on busy roads, too), the Bolt EUV rides comfortably, and the cabin is pleasantly peaceful.
Interior Comfort
Being a slightly longer version of the Chevy Bolt EV (by about 6 inches) and touted as having an element of utility, the 2023 Bolt EUV doesn’t exactly have impressive cargo-carrying abilities. With 16.3 cubic feet of luggage space behind the 60/40 rear seats and a maximum of 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, these volumes are virtually the same as the Bolt EV. Chevy decided to make the extra space count in terms of rear legroom. This EUV has 39.2 inches of it, comparable to a typical midsize sedan, and 3 inches more than the Bolt EV. Up front, the 2023 Bolt EUV has a tech-rich aura, thanks to an 8-inch driver information display and a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen. The materials are of decent quality, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel makes it easy for drivers to slide their knees under.
Exterior Styling
Chevy calls this an EUV — electric utility vehicle — because it’s more elegant than saying “compact hatchback with a raised ride height making room for a floor-mounted battery pack.” But that’s what it is.
Which is not a criticism. This approach is similar to the Nissan Leaf and Kia Niro EV. The Hyundai Kona Electric leans a little more toward typical SUV styling.
The Bolt EUV maximizes its small footprint with short overhangs and wheels placed as far into the corners as possible. It also adds a little utility with standard roof rails.
A Redline Edition cosmetics package is new for 2023, available with either trim level. It changes the chrome exterior elements to gloss black, while adding an exclusive design of alloy wheels — finished in black and with a red accent.
Radiant Red Tintcoat joins the list of paint choices this year.
Favorite Features
DUAL-LEVEL CHARGE CORD SUPER CRUISE
This standard feature works with both 120-volt and 240-volt sources.
This hands-free driving system works on certain highways, adding up to more than 200,000 miles in the United States and Canada. It’s easy to use and learn to trust. However, it still requires that the driver’s attention be directed toward the road. Super Cruise is optional with Premier trim.
Standard Features
The LT trim is the most affordable new Bolt EUV. It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, keyless entry/start, remote start, single-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, and a programmable Teen Driver key. The infotainment system includes wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, wireless phone charging, satellite radio, USB-A port, USB-C port, and six speakers. Driver aids are forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance/lane-departure warning, following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. The Premier trim adds perforated leather seating surfaces, heated/ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
Factory Options
A Driver Confidence package for the LT brings blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. This lower trim level also offers a Comfort package with a heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. There’s also a Convenience package adding leather seating surfaces, heated/ventilated front seats, and a self-dimming rearview mirror. Options for Premier trim include the Super Cruise hands-free driving system and a Sun and Sound package consisting of a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a 7-speaker Bose audio system, and navigation.
Engine & Transmission
Both versions of the 2023 Bolt EUV have an electric motor taking energy from a lithium-ion battery. It develops 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, which goes solely to the front wheels. Maximum range is 247 miles. Connect to a DC fast charger, and you’ll get 95 miles of range taken on in 30 minutes. Plug in at home with a 240-volt supply, and a full charge requires 10 hours. Chevrolet’s warranty for the battery and electric drivetrain components is eight years/100,000 miles, whichever happens first. Permanent magnet electric motor
65 kWh lithium-ion battery
200 horsepower
266 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 125/104 MPGe
EPA-estimated range: 247 miles
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Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings. We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology. Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing. Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.) We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
