Used 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Consumer Reviews
Used Bolt EV for sale
Milage range Drop
Charles Perry, 02/01/2019
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
2017 Bolt displayed high voltage needs service. The first thing I noticed was that the maximum range after charging dropped from the 240 range to below 180. The last time I charged it, it would not stopped charging. Took to dealer and of course they did not have the part and had the car for over two weeks. They claim to have replaced a couple of cells. But after the replacement, and a complete charge, still max range was under 180. I had the car for 1.5 years with 19000 miles. The dealership tried to blame the problem on my driving. Same driving style and distances for 1.5 years. But after the failure, the max distance went way down. I went back to talk to service manager Dave at Penske Chevrolet in Cerritos, CA. Told him my story, and he said that he would call GM and relay it to them and get back to me on Monday since it was Friday. Twelve days later I called him and had to leave a recorded message. Two days later I got a called back from someone else who said that they wanted to re teach the battery to charge properly. I took it back again. Again no improvement. They either don't have a clue as to what is going on or they don't know how to fix it..
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The future is here.
D. P., 09/23/2018
updated 04/29/2025
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Update 4/28/2025 Now at 117,000 miles on the odometer. No major problems or maintenance yet. However, the steering action is exhibiting some binding on return-to-center. At this point it's only noticeable after a sharp turn. It would be a safety hazard though, if it got worse. Perhaps there will be a recall for that. Update 10/27/2024: Now at 112,800 miles on the odometer. Nothing new to report. Still waiting for maintenance to be required (other than OEM tires which seem to last about 55,000 miles). Update 10/27/2023: Now at 95,500 miles. Still waiting for the first problem to occur. Still my favorite vehicle I've ever owned, and by far the most trouble free. Update 4/27/2023: The new battery installation all went well. The car had a noticeable range increase of about 10%, I'm sure mostly due to the new battery chemistry. Still no problems with the car after 86,000 miles. I still enjoy driving it. Update 4/26/2022: Currently at 65,000 miles on the odometer, and still no problems. I haven't noticed any reduction in range. There may be some, but not enough to have to take it into account vs. when new. It just had the battery recall completed, and I'll pick it up later today. Update 10/7/2020: No changes to review, no maintenance, and no hassles. The only vehicle I've owned that's still is fun after owning 3 years. After driving large pickups for a long time, I'd forgotten that driving can be fun. My problematic back is still very happy with the firm seats of the early Bolt EVs. I don't think I can go back to a fuel vehicle. Update 10/5/2019: The Bolt EV is still running great. Zero maintenance to date and no noticeable battery degredation. Expanding fast charging infrastructure is making longer trips more and more feasible. Love this car. One of my co-workers bought a Bolt, and after looking it over and getting a ride, it seemed like the future to me. My initial reason for buying a 2017 Bolt LT is for all the things it doesn’t have: e.g. emission control devices, serpentine belt, transmission, exhaust system, motor oil, mechanical alternator, catalytic converter, fuel pump, etc. After 40 years of driving, I hate all those things; good riddance! I’ve had the car 10 months and 14,000 miles now, with zero problems. But after a few months, I started becoming conscious of how much more environmentally friendly this car is vs. our other vehicles. With our location in the power grid, it’s basically nuclear powered, so very little atmospheric pollution. We may buy into some community solar energy too. Not missing the gas stations either. We have a 32 amp / 240 V level 2 charger in the garage capable of a complete charge overnight. The electric costs are about 1/5 to 1/6 of buying gasoline for the mini-van. We use it mostly as a regional / commuter car, which covers 95% of our driving. The DC fast charge has only been used once. It’s the go-to vehicle whenever someone in our family is going somewhere. Winter in Michigan was the first driving experience with the Bolt, and I would say it is the best 2WD vehicle I’ve had in winter as far as traction and handling go. I don’t mind the cold much, so by using the heated seats and steering wheel, driving without the heater was OK down to about 10°F. We were getting about 180 mile range in winter. In spring/summer/fall, it’s more like 260-300 miles. Using the air conditioning isn’t nearly as power intensive as the heater. At 70-75 mph the typical efficiency is 3.7 miles/kWh, 4.6 miles/kWh on 55-60 mph secondary roads, and 5.1-5.6 miles/kWh driving in town. Recovering kinetic energy through regenerative braking is somehow a very satisfying feeling, plus the brakes should last almost forever. I’m 6’0”, 195 lb, and the seats (cloth) aren’t exactly luxurious, but they’re not un-comfortable. Most car seats give me back pain, but not these. The interior capacity / hatch opening for hauling around bulky items is quite good. Plus, it’s not so elegant that you’re afraid to haul cargo in it. I suppose the entertainment system is OK (I don’t own a smartphone to use with it.) The AM radio reception is not the best however. The Bolt out-accelerates probably 75% of cars and trucks on the road, and has nimble handling to. All in all, this is my favorite vehicle of all time (vs. cars, vans, SUVs, pickups we’ve owned). I’m convinced EVs are the future.
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2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV for sale near you
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- Premier 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $12,0003 mi away
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UPDATE of 2000 miles of being an e-convert
David, 03/04/2018
updated 03/11/2019
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
1+ year into ownership, still love it.... We purchased our 2017 Bolt EV Premier on the last day of the 2017 tax year, now passed 2 months and approaching 2,000 miles. In short, it is a quick and fast accelerating, easy to handle, versatile compact car. While snow has been mild this season, it handled well in the few snowfalls our roads experienced in the Mid-Atlantic region. We were worried at first that transitioning from our all road station wagon to this compact was going to be a problem. We did a trunk test, though, and were able to accommodate what we needed and grocery store runs while filling the seats with people. The car has been nice and easy to use in school drop off/ pick up lanes and highway runs, alike. I wonder a little bit about the resilience of the recycled materials in the interior, but it is functional, a good look for the vehicle, and only time will tell. The range of the car even in very cold weather has been fine... low temperatures (well below freezing) can mean a drop to 60% of temperate range due to both decreased battery chemistry potential energy and thermal conditioning needs of the battery. However. 60% of 238 mi is over 140 mi. For several weeks, we managed use of the car mostly with in town commuting using the provided plug-in 120v Level I EVSE, which used our household outlet. We now have a Level II EVSE installed on a 240V connection (the Clipper Creek HCS-40) and it has made a world of difference in convenience. Our car has the on board option for using the DC fast stations. However, while nice to have in case we get really adventurous on weekend getaways, we have not needed to use a commercial Level II EVSE let alone one of those. We now only charge the car 1-2 times per week and hardly ever drop much below 180 mi of listed range. There really is not anything we do not like about the car. It has more road feel than we anticipated which I like but my wife tolerates. Speed bumps have to be carefully approached. We have not had any vehicle clearance issues, though, as the nose of the car is quite short. She otherwise loves the car, especially the one pedal driving which both makes braking very responsive and keeps us using as much regenerative braking as possible. The car is heavy enough to be stable in bad weather. We know this from driving shortly after Winter Storm Riley in gale force wind. The interior seems to get dirty quickly but maybe that has been the wet season this year. This currently is our only car, though I commute by other means.
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Mary, Pam And Josh's Game Changing Car!
Idol Hanz, 03/01/2018
updated 03/05/2019
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
First of all, I believe the Bolt EV and GM are fully and unequivically committed to electrification, autonomy and connectivity. The Bolt EV represents a big step foward to mainstreaming electrification for the masses with its performance, features and capabilities.. Why more of these havent sold, is beyond me. Forget the Model 3 or that ugly new Prius! Look at the Model 3's awful interface and ergonomics! The Bolt EV is what you want because it's energy and driving performance delivers. Hardly any maintenance, no nasty oil, gas to service, great safety and insurance ratings, you sit up high with lots of visibility like a SUV, great driver safety and convienece features, great ergonomics with combo hard and soft button controls, quiet. This game changing car is like a space craft. Its multi-materialed skeletal frame looks like a space craft being made, too. It's computers, comm systems, infotainment suite are wonderful and very useful. Its a stealth Tesla! Nobody really notices it parked. Interesting and fun to drive and not just in a novelty way, but in a game changing way. The complaints about seats, glare, steering, wintertime range dont really affect us as the car is used as a commuter car. I selected a Summit White Premier with DCFC. Mine came with black rubber heavy duty floor mats. I dont have a problem with the hard plastic or "Star Wars" stormtrooper looking interior. I performed a complete inspection including all software and operational checks of all systems. Fit and finish, No defects or discrepancies! Again, I love everything! This vehicle and others like it will help get the United States to energy independence . That means more money in consumer's pockets and heftier corporate bottom lines. Win win win. Thanks GM. I really like it and look forward to the electric future! UPDATE : MARCH 2019. We still love this car. Even though it gets parked in urban areas for work or shopping, it never gets dents or really attracts attention. No problems or defects noted on this vehicle. I have inspected it carefully and continually. I went and rotated and balanced the tires yesterday and it was a easy to do (with a computer balancer) Good cross country performance with the Bolt EV and now more DC fast charging stations are opening up on the city to city interstate corridors giving Bolt EV quasi transcontinental capability for the first time. Most of the miles driven is commute and we have a level 2 EVSE at home. Yeah, love it. I even like the seats.
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Was going to pick up my new Bolt until I sat in it
Curtman60, 04/04/2017
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
19 of 24 people found this review helpful
I had waited almost a year and was extremely excited about buying the new Bolt. I put down a $500.00 refundable deposit and was going to take delivery in mid March until I sat in one. I went and test drove the car and found the front seats to be a total deal killer for me. Besides being too narrow they were also lacking padding and very uncomfortable. I can't believe that GM would cheap out on the seats of a $43000.00 Bolt Premier. The plastic side support under the seat cushions actually dug in to my hips and I am not a very big guy, I am 6 feet tall and weigh 180 pounds. The interior plastics on the car are also extremely cheap feeling. I will now have to wait for the new Nissan leaf or Tesla model 3.
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