Switching from a gasoline vehicle to a battery electric vehicle doesn't mean you'll have to dump a bunch of cash and shell out upwards of $100,000. On the contrary, there are a few really impressive EVs currently on sale in the United States for half that price. Among them is the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV. A crossover derivative of the regular Bolt, this Chevrolet, in its top-spec Premier trim, with all the packages, manages to retail well under $40,000.
Despite its relatively affordable price tag, the Bolt EUV doesn't fall far behind the big boys when it comes to its power output, driving range, and onboard tech. As a matter of fact, with its amazing credentials, the 2023 Bolt EUV is currently one of the most underrated electric vehicles on the market. Here's why.
The 2023 Bolt EUV Has Enough Power With A Decent Range
The Bolt EUV packs in a single electric motor that has a power output of 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. It drives the front wheels and can sprint the EUV from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 6.8 seconds. Though Chevrolet calls this a crossover, don't expect any off-road credentials as this Bolt is a true soft-roader. But that's okay, as none of its rivals offer any form of off-the-tarmac capability either.
It does come with a Sports Mode that promises faster acceleration and a more responsive steering feel, and that's about it. The Bolt EUV is geared towards efficiency and comfort, and for that, it comes with multiple regen modes along with the convenience of one-pedal driving.
The onboard 65 kWh battery pack promises a driving range of 247 miles on a full charge. This figure may seem low compared to other EVs in a similar price range. But come to think of it, it is more than ideal for your daily office commute and around town. It will probably become a concern on high-mile road trips. However, for highway runs, you can depend on DC fast charging as the Bolt EUV can add 100 miles of range in 30 minutes at a peak rate of 50 kWh.
As standard, you'll get a 120-volt charger for juicing up EUV's battery at home. However, it would be best if you upgraded to the 240-volt setup for faster top-ups at a rate of 26 miles per hour.
The Bolt EUV Has A Bunch Of Features With A Practical Cabin
The Bolt EUV's cabin is loaded with features. Keeping up with modern EVs, it comes with a giant 10.2-inch touchscreen in the middle and an 8-inch fully-digital driver's gauge cluster. There is wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a standard 6-speaker audio system. In addition, you can opt for the Sun and Sound package that adds a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
The EUV Premier comes standard with a bunch of amenities, such as heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, power adjustment for the driver's seat, heated rear seats with an integrated armrest with cup holders, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. There are also multiple USB ports in the front and back row.
Despite being a decently equipped car, a few bits inside the Bolt EUV's cabin will remind you that it is a budget electric offering. Though it does get decent quality leather on the steering wheel, the same is not the case with the seat upholstery. There are also plenty of hard plastics inside the EUV's cabin. That said, neither of these, in any way, is a dealbreaker.
The 2023 Bolt EUV scores pretty high in terms of practicality too. It gets a longer wheelbase than the standard Bolt, which translates into more legroom in the second row. Its crossover profile also ensures an impressive 16.3 cu-ft of luggage space in the cargo area that goes up to 56.9 cu-ft with the second row down. Unfortunately, there is no storage space under the hood, but the EUV does get an extra cubby under the floor of the main cargo area.
The 2023 Bolt EUV Comes With Impressive Safety Tech
The Bolt EUV gets a pretty impressive safety package as standard. Apart from the ten airbags, its entire range gets the standard Chevrolet safety assist. This system includes a bunch of driver assistance tech, such as automatic emergency braking with front collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and automatic high beams, among others.
However, the Chevrolet Super Cruise is the most impressive tech in the current generation of the Bolt EUV. This level 2 autonomous driving system, available on this crossover as an optional extra, works with the standard adaptive cruise control and enhances it using radar technology. What this means is that you can drive the EUV hands-free, given that the system recognizes you as an attentive driver and the car is on one of the compatible roads.
With an MSRP of $37,390 for its top-spec Premier trim with the add-on Super Cruise and the Sun and Sound package, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a vehicle worth considering if you are looking for a comfortable, practical, safe, and well-equipped battery electric.
Source: Chevrolet