2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

The price is right (at last). If you bought a Bolt a couple of years ago, you might want to stop reading at this point. There was a $5,500 price cut for the 2022 model year, and this year has heralded another $6,300 drop in the sticker price of a base EUV. That’s partly to offset the lost $7,500 federal tax credit, and partly because manufacturing costs are falling. Bottom line – the Bolt finally looks like decent value, costing just $28,195 in base LT trim.

You wouldn’t expect a head-up display or self-closing doors on a car costing less than $30,000, but the EUV delivers the basics. There’s a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone mirroring and WiFi capabilities, eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat and 17-inch alloy wheels. If you’re willing to spend $32,695 (which is still a relative bargain compared to 2020 prices), Premier trim brings ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats. You could even raise the ticket to $37,000 by adding a sunroof, navigation and a Bose audio system.

Not a thrill-seeker. Because they don’t rely on gears or revs for propulsion, EVs make their full power available at any speed. However, if you’re expecting blistering performance from the promisingly-named Bolt, think again. Weighing 90 pounds more than the Bolt EV yet sharing the same 200 hp powertrain, the EUV’s performance is decent, though hardly impressive by EV standards. At least it delivers a smooth ride, thanks in part to its sheer bulk flattening out humps and imperfections. The downside is a fair amount of body lean, and limited wet-weather grip due to the adoption of low rolling-resistance tires.

The Bolt is easy to drive, with a regenerative mode effectively turning it into a one-pedal vehicle. If you’re making the leap from ICE power, it’ll coast at speed and creep in traffic while in Normal mode. Safety is also on par with gas vehicles – every EUV receives automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, auto high beams, and active lane control.

Fine for four; five would fall out. Given its compact dimensions, the EUV is surprisingly spacious inside – providing you’re not hoping to transport a family of five. It’s simply too narrow to fit three abreast in the back without complaints and even a little chafing. The remaining four occupants have generous head- and legroom, though the EUV shares its sibling’s adoption of rather thinly-padded seats with short bases. The EUV’s trunk is 0.3 cu ft smaller than the EV, though 16.3 cu ft should still be sufficient; if it’s not, dropping the rear seats reveals 56.9 cubes of space.

Evidence of cost-cutting permeates the cabin, as you might expect on a sub-$30,000 EV. The plastics are dull, the design is drab and those unsupportive seats contribute to an air of cost-cutting. At least the EUV is a good-looking car from the outside, with a floating roofline and distinctive LED lighting at both ends.

Final thoughts. Offering significantly more space without costing significantly more money, the EUV is a no-brainer purchase compared to its EV stablemate. Recent price cuts make it look more appealing, though you might question why it was so costly to begin with. There’s plenty of space for four, decent if unmemorable performance, a comfortable ride, and a solid infotainment system.

When the history books are written about the EV revolution, the Bolt is unlikely to get many column inches. This is an uninspiring (though competent) little crossover, with uncomfortable seats, a drab interior, and a charging setup that’s light years behind the market leaders. It might be $10,000 cheaper than the likes of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, but the latter wipes the floor with the EUV in terms of style, technology, and comfort.

Check prices for the 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV »