2021 Chevy Bolt EV Review

　　

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review

byRonald MontoyaSenior Consumer Advice Editor & Content Strategy

　　Ronald Montoya has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. He has written over a thousand car related articles and bought and sold over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Ronald is a senior consumer advice editor and content strategy at zzdcar and has also contributed to the Associated Press. He has also been featured on ABC, NBC and NPR on a number of car shopping topics. He got his start in the auto industry by taking a part-time job at a car dealership, where he worked in the service and accounting department.

　　The Chevrolet Bolt wasn't the first electric car, but it was one of the first to offer a long range at a somewhat affordable price. Four years on from that 2017 debut, the 2021 Bolt still fits that description with an EPA-estimated 259 miles of range. This amount isn't quite as novel as it once was — most EVs in 2021 can go at least 200 miles — but it's a healthy number for a compact hatchback.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV Insights

Trim:Bolt EV LT

　　LT 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $36,500 MSRPPremier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) - $41,700 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

 zzdcar TESTED

　　262 milesThe range for a used 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV is estimated to be 262 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 262 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　10 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$61/mo

　　Bolt EV

　　vs

　　$161/mo

　　Car Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　There are minimal changes to the Bolt for 2021. Chevy had planned to give a major update this year but was delayed by the pandemic. You'll see more substantial changes for the 2022 model year. That means that you're more likely to get a better deal on the 2021 model, but you won't have the latest body style for very long. 

　　Overall, we like the Bolt and find it to be an agreeable commuter car. But it does have some drawbacks that might make you want to shop the Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro EV, Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.4 instead. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating below to learn more.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar' editorial team acquired and lived with a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt for about three years, logging about 34,000 miles. Overall, we found it to be a great commuter car. To learn more about our test, check out our Recurrent. The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt differs from our 2017 Bolt by way of improved front and rear cameras and a newer battery pack that adds more range. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Bolt EV drive? There is plenty of muscle in the Bolt's throttle pedal. It merges onto freeways with ease, and there's a good deal of passing power when you need it. In D mode, the Bolt has standard friction brakes that are easy to control, while L mode activates lift-throttle regenerative braking that is fun to use and improves range.

　　It's hard to imagine how the Bolt could drive better. It responds smoothly to steering inputs without feeling darty. The steering feel and feedback are good, and the car stays straight ahead on the highway without demanding driver attention. When the road begins to curve, the Bolt feels nimble and sure-footed.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Bolt EV? The front seats are relatively thinly cushioned, and some larger drivers will be able to feel the seat frame edges through the padding. But if you're of average size, the seats should hold up well, even on longer drives. More of a problem is the Bolt's overly busy and choppy ride because the suspension struggles to absorb pavement cracks and sharp-edged potholes.

　　But when the pavement is smooth, so is the Bolt. The climate control systems reacts quickly, and the Premier trim comes standard with heated front and rear seats. We also like the Bolt's quiet cabin. Wind noise is not an issue.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The controls are thoughtfully arranged, with a handy volume knob and tune buttons below the touchscreen. The instrument panel can be configured to show helpful range-coaching features. Our drivers found it easy to settle in behind the wheel with a height-adjustable driver's seat and telescoping steering wheel.

　　All of the doors open wide, and the roofline is tall all the way to the rear hatch. The Bolt feels much larger inside than you might expect. There's plenty of head- and legroom, though the cabin is narrow. Peek-a-boo windows and a commanding seating position help you see past the front roof pillars, and a range of available cameras aid visibility.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard. You can use these systems to run navigation through your phone, but know that an integrated navigation system isn't available on the Bolt. The touchscreen is nice and big, but its menu responses can be slow. Two front USB ports come standard.

　　Most of the Bolt's advanced driver safety features are optional, which is disappointing. Many rivals offer these kind of features standard. You can't get adaptive cruise control at all. The Premier trim's 360-degree camera system is a boon in parking lots at least.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Considering its size, the Bolt has a good amount of space inside for small items. The front door pockets, center console and glovebox are adequate, the main cupholders are well positioned, and there's an open bin for purses. The cargo area is a bit smaller than the competition, but it's still useful. The Premier trim has a floor panel that provides hidden basement storage or can be removed to carry bulkier items.

　　The Bolt also works out pretty well for family taxi duty. The car seat anchors for child safety seats are easy to locate, and there are top tethers on all three rear seat positions. The rear doors open wide enough to fit bulky rear-facing seats inside.

　　

Range and Efficiency

8.0/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? The Bolt received a range boost for 2020 and is rated to return 259 miles on a single charge, making it one of the longest ranges in the segment. It's also estimated to return 100 miles for every 29 kWh of energy. In zzdcar' real-world EV range testing, the Bolt was able to travel 277 miles on a single charge at a slightly more efficient 25.7 kWh per 100 miles.

　　While that's a great result, the Hyundai Kona Electric, which received a similar range and efficiency rating from the EPA, far outperformed its estimates, traveling more than 300 miles.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Bolt EV a good value? In the time since the Bolt debuted, Hyundai and Kia have released affordable EVs with more standard equipment and better interiors for a similar price. The standard-range Tesla Model 3 has numerous advantages over the field too. Chevy did the Bolt no favors by using thin carpets, hard plastics and other cost-saving measures. An upgraded range of 259 miles helps at least.

　　Like all electric vehicles, there's little required maintenance. The battery and other electrical components are covered for eight years and 100,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The Bolt's playful nimbleness and one-pedal driving afforded by the strong regenerative braking effect in L mode are very entertaining. It's an enjoyable EV to drive. The upright hatchback styling doesn't stand out in a crowd, but the Bolt delivers solid green street cred and low-cost long-range performance.

　　

Which Bolt EV does zzdcar recommend?

Much of the Bolt's appeal lies in its value. As such, we recommend the base LT trim. There's a big price jump to get the Premier. The Bolt no longer qualifies for any federal tax credits either, which also makes the Premier less enticing. Many of the advanced safety and convenience features from the Premier trim (such as the DC fast-charging capability) can be added to the LT trim as options.

　　

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV models

The Bolt comes in two trims: the LT and the Premier. Both models are equipped with the same 66-kWh battery pack under the floor, sending power to a single electric motor (200 horsepower, 266 lb-ft) that drives the front wheels. The estimated range is the same on both trims: 259 miles.

　　LT

　　This entry-level Chevy Bolt comes with:

　　Automatic high-intensity discharge headlamps 17-inch alloy wheels Keyless entry with push-button start 10.2-inch central display screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Cloth seatsMain options for the LT include:

　　Comfort and Convenience package Heated front seats Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel Auto-dimming rearview mirror Driver Confidence package Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Rear parking sensors DC fast-charging portPremier

　　Comes with all of the above plus:

　　Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Bolt and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Roof-mounted side rails Heated rear seats Perforated leather seats Hands-free liftgateOptional for both trims is the Driver Confidence II package that adds:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Lane keeping assist (steers the Bolt back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Automatic high-beam headlights

　　

2021 Bolt EV Highlights

Trim: LTPremierLT

　　

Base MSRP	$36,500
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	259 miles
Cost to Drive	$61/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	10.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles