2018 Chevrolet Bolt Road Test and Review

2018 Chevrolet BoltEV front three quarter driving ・ Photo by Chevrolet

The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the only all-electric option from Chevrolet. It stands along hybrid options like the Chevrolet Volt, which causes a bit of name confusion, but the Bolt EV is unique in the Chevrolet lineup. It offers an all-electric choice for consumers who increasingly are looking to ditch gasoline engines.

Hybrids like the Volt are baby steps in that direction and give the safety of a gas engine as a backup, but an EV relies solely on electric power. That means the availability of charging stations suddenly becomes a pressing issue, especially if you’re planning any kind of road trip. Range anxiety is real and not everyone is ready to take that jump. Let’s take a closer look at the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV and see if this electric vehicle is enough to convince you to make the switch.

Pricing and Trims

The Bolt EV keeps it simple with only two trims. The base LT starts at $37,495 while the Premier starts at $41,780. Standard upgrades on the Premier include 17-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets, body-color door handles with chrome strip, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, roof-mounted side rails, leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and heated seats for the front driver and passenger, as well as rear outboard passengers. A rear camera mirror, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist also are standard.

In addition, the Premier offers two packages that aren’t available on the LT. The Driver Confidence II Package at $495 adds low speed forward automatic braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, follow distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, and Intellibeam headlamps. The Infotainment Package at $485 adds a 7-speaker Bose audio system, wireless charging, and two rear charging-only USB ports.

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Powertrain

There’s a single powertrain in the Bolt EV regardless of which trim level you choose. It has a 60-kWh battery housed beneath the floor and sends power to an electric motor that produces 200 horsepower with 266 lb-ft of torque. This is a compact hatchback, so it’s not a big vehicle. Its power and size mean this little electric car really moves.

One of the most noticeable things about driving an electric car is its instant acceleration. All that torque is available right away, so there’s no delay getting up to speed. Press the accelerator and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to merge into highway traffic. This might be an efficient electric vehicle without that traditional loud gas engine, but with a 0-60 mph of only 6.5 seconds, don’t for a second think the Bolt EV is slow.

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Ride and Handling

The overall ride is smooth, but you will feel bigger bumps and notice any changes in the pavement over rough roads. The Bolt EV is at its best when tackling smooth highway surfaces, and loses some of its calm demeanor once you take it into the city where potholes, manhole covers and all manner of uneven surfaces give it considerable bounce.

There’s no engine noise since there’s no engine, but there is a fair amount of road and wind noise. At highway speeds, wind noise is intrusive, especially if you’re passing larger trucks. The Bolt EV handles well, admirably so on the highway, but you need to focus when the surface is less predictable. The bounce you feel as the pavement changes makes it necessary to pay close attention to steering to keep the Bolt EV in line.

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Fuel Economy

The overriding reason for buying an electric vehicle is saving on gas. It doesn’t hurt that you’re reducing your environmental impact, too. The Chevrolet Bolt EV is rated 128 MPGe in the city, 110 MPGe on the highway, and 119 MPGe combined. Gas prices are rising, so avoiding the pump and getting that kind of mileage purely on electric power will keep cash in your pocket.

The Bolt EV also displays just how much the way you’re driving affects how far you can go on a single charge. The driver information screen changes from green to yellow as you drive less efficiently, and you can see exactly how much easing up on that pedal reduces the rate of battery depletion. It goes beyond color changes and shows exactly how may kilowatts you’re saving or using, making it something of a game to keep that battery as full as possible.

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Charging and Range

Range anxiety is a very real fear when you’re driving an electric vehicle. Gas stations are on every corner, but charging stations are another story and can be harder to find depending on where you live. The Chevrolet Bolt EV eliminates range anxiety by providing a 238-mile range on a single charge. That’s more than enough to get through the average day without needing to charge at all. When it does come time to charge, there are several options.

At a 120-volt charger, things are expectedly slow, and you get only four miles of range per hour. Step up to a 240-volt charger, and a full charge is achieved in only 9.3 hours. The fastest charging is with a DC fast charger, which will give you up to 90 miles in only 30 minutes. It’s important to note DC fast charging capability is available only as an option for $750.

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Interior

There’s room for five passengers in the Bolt EV, with spacious front seats that provide enough headroom and legroom for even the tallest adults. The seating position also is somewhat upright, which helps give a clear view of the road and is something those on the shorter side will appreciate. Although roomy, those of a larger size may find there isn’t enough padding and support to stay comfortable on longer trips. The rear seats technically have room for three, but only work for two passengers unless you’re willing to squish in for shorter trips.

As for interior quality and style, the Bolt EV is polarizing. There are lots of plastics, albeit with some nifty finishes to give the car character. It’s either something you’ll embrace for its quirkiness or find cheap and unappealing. We think it worked, giving the Bolt EV a unique and fun appeal.

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Infotainment

The infotainment system in the Bolt EV features Chevrolet MyLink with a standard 10.2-inch color touchscreen. It’s a control hub for both the usual infotainment features like the audio system and select vehicle settings, along with special pages specific to an electric vehicle. These unique screens include information on your current range, energy usage since last charge, and the ability to program exactly when you want your Bolt EV to charge to take advantage of lower electric rates that are dependent on the time of day.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, OnStar connected services, and built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity are standard, along with AM/FM/SiriusXM and a 6-speaker audio system. The Premier trim has an available 7-speaker Bose premium audio system that includes a subwoofer and AudioPilot noise compensation technology to maintain premium sound in all driving conditions. It’s a fully featured system that keeps you connected on the go.

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Safety

The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV gets strong safety ratings with an overall 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It received only one 4-star rating in frontal crash testing. It also did well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, with a top rating of Good in all crash tests and a Superior rating for available front crash prevention technologies. Its LATCH system, however, was rated at Moderate and its headlights were rated at Poor.

Standard on every Bolt EV is Teen Driver to monitor and encourage good behavior, LED daytime running lamps and a rearview camera. Additional standard features only on the Premier include lane change alert with blind spot alert, rear camera mirror, rear cross-traffic alert and rear park assist. The available Driver Confidence II Package adds features including forward collision alert and low speed forward automatic braking on the Premier only.

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Final Thoughts

The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a winning package that will appeal both to those looking for an EV as well as those who thought they weren’t quite ready to make the switch. It comes in two well-equipped trims with affordable starting prices that get even better with government incentives. It also has an impressive range that covers more than what most people drive in a typical day.

There’s still the challenge of managing a long road trip, which requires planning breaks somewhere there’s a charger handy, but as a daily driver that’s not likely to be an issue. Strong safety ratings further add to its appeal, as does its comfortable though minimalist interior. If you’re considering an electric vehicle, the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV should be on your list.

Photo by General Motors