Chevrolet has a new EV out. It’s called the Bolt EUV, and this ‘electric utility vehicle’ builds off the same basic platform as the brand’s popular Bolt EV model, but with a larger form factor, along with features not found in the regular Bolt EV model. Its real appeal is that it tackles the biggest issue with electric vehicles now.

Electric cars are often considered to be out of reach for many buyers, too expensive or too impractical. The electric paradigm, however, is fast shifting as less expensive options continue to hit the market, offering a more realistic, and truly feasible point of entry for many first time buyers. The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV has a base MSRP of just $28,195.

Let's Start With The Basics

The Bolt EUV sports the same electric powertrain as the $26,595 Bolt EV. That means a 65 kWh battery pack sends 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels through a single electric motor. Chevrolet claims the range is a commendable 247 miles.

A 120V charging cord comes as standard equipment for your regular wall outlet at home, and a faster 240V cable is available for a nominal $295 charge. The Bolt EUV also supports DC fast charging for when you’re on the open road. The word around town is that Chevrolet is also offering free 240V charger installations for buyer’s homes, so be sure to inquire about that with your local dealer. A 240V charger will charge this thing from flat to full in about seven hours, though charge speeds are much faster in the middle of that range. Most EV owners tend to run their cars between 20-80% state of charge in day-to-day driving for that reason.

The Cheapest Electric Crossover Utility Vehicle On Sale Today

Number-crunching readers may be thinking to themselves that the Bolt EUV is downright cheap, and they would be right. Just as the Bolt EV is the least expensive electric car on sale in the United States, at just $1,600 more, the larger Bolt EUV is not only still one of the least expensive electric vehicles on sale, but certainly the least expensive electric crossover, and by a huge margin. So, what’s the catch?

The big story about the Bolt – both versions – is that Chevrolet announced a notable price drop for the 2023 model year – $6,300 for the Bolt EV and $5,900 for the EUV – bringing their base prices down to just $26,595 and $28,195, respectively. This pricing strategy has been retroactively applied to existing 2022 models on dealers’ lots, and some recent buyers are even getting rebate checks in the mail to account for the difference.

There are a couple of factors behind that price, including the very serious fact that Chevrolet had to recall all Bolt models due to potential battery fires. Additionally, buyers can no longer get the $7,500 federal tax rebate they used to get when buying an electric car from GM, so Chevy, in an effort to stay competitive and garner goodwill, dropped the price.

Related: Here's Why The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Is A Larger, Better-Equipped Version of Chevy's First Modern Electric Car

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have $7,500 worth of tax liability per year, so getting that immediate savings on the price point is definitely going to be a virtue to more people.

The Bolt EUV is a tremendous value at first glance. It rings in at $12,190 less than a Kia Niro EV, $14,330 less than a Volkswagen ID.4, and $16,800 less than a Ford Mustang Mach E.

What’s It Like Inside?

Our tester, a top-spec Premier model, loads up the comforts and conveniences like heated and ventilated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and a 10-inch infotainment display that has standard wireless Apple Carplay and wireless Android Auto connectivity. Compared to the regular Bolt EV, the Premier trim, which is exclusive to the EUV model, incorporates additional leather touches throughout the interior, like in the door cards, and on the dashboard, and is available in a two-tone dark and light gray interior, which really lightens this space up. The standard Bolt EV is only available with a black interior.

An available sun and sound package for $2,500 offers up an upgraded seven-speaker Bose audio system, panoramic sunroof, and built-in navigation for the infotainment system. A sunroof is not currently available in the Bolt EV, so if a bit of open air motoring is your vice, upgrading to the EUV will be a no-brainer.

Related: 10 Most Exciting Electric Cars You Can Buy For $40,000

The Bolt EUV is a few tenths of an inch taller and wider than the regular model, but it’s really the extra length that you’ll notice, because of it, there is an extra three inches of rear seat legroom. At 6’1”, yours truly just fits in the back of the Bolt EV, but I fit comfortably in the Bolt EUV.

As most of the EUV’s extra size focuses on the cabin, trunk space is comparable to the regular Bolt EV at 16 cubic-feet, which is more than enough for the typical family Costco run.

How Does It Drive?

Like most EVs, the EUV feels really zippy around town thanks to the immediate power delivery. Chevy says this thing does 0-60 mph in seven seconds flat, making it more than quick enough for day to day driving. It’s worth noting that acceleration is still ample at higher speeds, making left lane passing on the freeway a breeze.

The EUV carries around a 200-pound weight penalty over the regular model, which is pretty much negligible from behind the wheel. That said, having basically hopped out of the regular Bolt EV and into this EUV model, the extra stretch in the wheelbase is noticeable, and does result in a slightly smoother, more refined ride, especially on the interstate.

Similar to the Bolt EV, the EUV’s powertrain is a gem, returning a solid 4.0 miles per kWh average efficiency, which is sort of the MPG equivalent in the EV world. Multiply 4.0 by the 65 kWh battery pack size and that works out to a theoretical max range of 260 miles, 13 miles ahead of the claimed 247 mile range. Very impressive.

In general, the cabin feels pretty refined while going down the road. Wind and road noise is low, and with the electric powertrain making little more than a hum, the end result is a quiet, comfortable cruiser.

Speaking of cruising, it’s worth noting that the Bolt EUV has GM’s Super Cruise autonomous driving technology available as a $2,200 option. At the press of a button Super Cruise takes over the controls while driving down the interstate. It does not yet cover city streets and other low-speed driving situations.

Related: Chevy Redesigns The Bolt EV And Introduces SUV-Like Bolt EUV For 2022

Initial impressions of Super Cruise proved positive, with no real hiccups to report navigating the difficult freeways around LA. A Chevrolet representative confirmed that Super Cruise is in active development as more and more roadways are being mapped out in the system, with the end goal being nationwide coverage.

Should I Buy A Bolt EV Or A Bolt EUV?

Seeing as the two vehicles look almost indistinguishable from a glance, it’s only when you park the two next to one another will you notice the extra six-inches of length the EUV has. Three of which are in the wheelbase, translating to the roomier cabin. This question, then, really boils down to the dollars and sense of the buyer.

There is a $1,600 premium on the EUV, base price versus base price, which for many buyers will appeal simply due to the bigger cabin. However, the big delineation comes from the high-end of things, with the EUV offering the Premier trim, which has additional creature comforts over the regular Bolt EV and its top 2LT trim level.

The Bolt EUV is also the cheapest vehicle from the General Motors’ line-up to feature Super Cruise, and if self-driving technology appeals, is another obvious reason to take the plunge and upgrade from the Bolt EV to the EUV model.

At $37,685 fully-loaded, the Bolt EUV Premier is an absolute bargain, still managing to come in at or below the base model prices of its competition. That a free home charger installation comes with the purchase rounds off any rough edges associated with using an electric vehicle every day. All of this makes it an easy recommendation, for buyers looking to try an electric vehicle out for the first time, or for existing EV owners looking to upgrade.