2017 Chevy Bolt EV Review

Name: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review
Brand: Chevrolet
Price: 13995 USD

(90)

Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier 4dr Hatchback Exterior

4.5/5 Expert Rating

+68

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$13,995 - $19,589

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byDan Edmunds^{Director, Vehicle Testing
Dan is a mechanical engineer by trade and spent 16 years developing new cars for two automakers before coming to Edmunds as its director of vehicle testing.}

Pros

Has double the electric range of most other EVs
Cabin is spacious because the battery is hidden under the floor
Coordinated steering, handling and braking make it enjoyable to drive
Easy smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto

Cons

Lackluster carpet and interior panel quality
Touchscreen has no built-in navigation maps, relies on paired smartphone
Seats feel small and lack depth of cushioning
Ride comfort loses its polish on rougher roads

What’s new

Everything. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is an all-new model.

Vehicle overview

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the low-cost electric vehicle we've all been waiting for. You can drive a Bolt more than 200 miles on a charge, which is double the range of most rivals. Plus, it's functional, more spacious inside than it looks, and fun to drive.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Insights

Trim:

Bolt EV LT

Estimated Range Based on Age

211 miles^{The range for a used 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is estimated to be 211 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 211 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.}

Round-trip

One-way

Estimated range map^{This 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 Ashburn, Virginia. 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 © OpenStreetMap contributors | Leaflet} from

Charging at Home

9.3 hours

Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

SAE Combo^{Standard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.}

Plug Type

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles^{The 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 2 years or 16,000 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.}

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$4,125

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions:
Beginning January 1, 2023 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.

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 https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit
Restrictions:
Dominion Energy offers EV owners a rebate of up to $125 towards the cost 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 Dominion Energy.
- Have an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
- Networked/Smart charging capabilities to program the station to off-peak periods and respond to managed charging events
- You also earn a $40 e-gift card on the anniversary of your enrollment every year you remain enrolled.
To learn more, visit https://www.chargingrewards.com/faqs/dominion-ev/

See All EV incentives

Cost to Drive

$49/mo

Bolt EV

$168/mo

Car Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

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 $1,000 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.}

Learn more about EV charging

See All EV Insights

One thing we're not convinced of is that Volt and Bolt are the best names Chevrolet could have picked for its pair of plug-in vehicles. Their names sound virtually the same, but these are fundamentally different vehicles.

The Volt is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with 53 miles of electric range. That's more range than any other PHEV you can buy offers, but it's also less than any pure electric vehicle. It gets around its range limitation and erases the idea of "range anxiety" by having a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a gas tank big enough to make it as useful as any normal car.

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV has no need for a gasoline engine because it gets around range anxiety another way: It has a humongous battery. In technical terms, its capacity is 60 kilowatt-hours (kWh), but all you really need to know is the Bolt EV will go more than 200 miles on a full charge. The EPA's official estimate is 238 miles. That's Tesla territory.

But the Bolt's price certainly isn't Tesla territory. Its as-new purchase price is less than $40,000 before you figure in the tax credits that are available. The best part is the Bolt EV is functional, fun to drive and remarkably spacious. And it promises to be more reliable than either of the two Teslas we've tested for a year. Who needs to wait around for the Tesla Model 3 when you can buy this right now?

Edmunds' Expert Rating

4.5 / 5

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier Hatchback.

Scorecard

Overall	4.5 / 5
Driving	4.5
Comfort	3.5
Interior	4.5
Utility	4.5
Technology	3.5

Driving

4.5

We were surprised by how much we enjoyed driving the Bolt. Its 200-horsepower electric motor delivers a healthy dose of thrust, its low-slung battery helps to make it feel sure-footed, and the steering and brakes are more than just predictable and smooth — they're engaging.

Acceleration

4.0

You'll find plenty of oomph when you press the Bolt's accelerator. It merges onto freeways with ease, and there's a good deal of reserve power for passing on two-lane roads. Our test car accelerated to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds at the track, a fine showing for a family car, much less an electric one.

Braking

5.0

The Bolt is unique among EVs because it relies on standard friction brakes in D mode, which is why they feel so consistent and easy to modulate. It stops from 60 mph in an impressive 116 feet, too. Put the lever in L mode for strong regenerative braking and improved range.

Steering

4.5

Turn the wheel and the Bolt responds smoothly, with a just-right level of response that's neither too darty nor too dead. There's good feel and feedback as you dial in more steering, too. And on the freeway it has good straight-ahead stability that doesn't demand a lot of driver attention.

Handling

5.0

The Bolt feels nimble, coordinated and sure-footed when the road gets curvy. And it doesn't roll much, either. Credit the large underfloor battery pack because it gives the Bolt a very low center of mass and makes it less nose-heavy than it would be if it had a traditional gas engine.

Drivability

5.0

It is hard to imagine how it could drive better. The electric motor is utterly smooth, and the single-speed direct drive transmission never shifts. We especially like the one-pedal lift-throttle braking available in L mode, with extra slowing available by squeezing the left-hand steering paddle.

Comfort

3.5

On balance, the Bolt comes across as comfortable. Like any EV, its cabin is exceedingly quiet. But two apparent cost- and weight-saving decisions hold it back. The simplistic rear suspension doesn't cope with rough roads as well as other types might, and the all-business seats feel a bit chairlike.

Seat comfort

3.0

The Bolt's seats feel supportive and offer height adjustability, but they lack a feeling of plushness. And they feel small, as if you're sitting on them instead of in them. The latter may matter most to larger folks, but it's worth sitting in one and making sure before you sign any papers.

Ride comfort

3.0

It doesn't float or wallow much at highway speeds, so in that sense the Bolt feels steady and smooth. It soaks up simple bumps readily, too. But things can get clunky when the surface is pocked with cracks, fractures and sharp edges, a likely result of its unsophisticated rear suspension design.

Noise & vibration

5.0

The lack of engine noise, accessory drive belts and the absence of shifting give the Bolt a huge leg up compared to a regular car. We never were bothered by excessive wind noise, either. A bit of tire noise wafts up from the road, but it's nicely muted.

Climate control

4.0

The Bolt's cabin warms up quickly because electric heat doesn't have to wait for an engine to warm up, and if the car is plugged in, it can be preheated with no range impact. When underway, maximize your range by dialing down the heat and relying on the Premier's standard heated seats instead.

Interior

4.5

The Bolt's interior is functional, with simple-to-understand controls, plenty of room in the front and the back, and easy entry and exit. The main letdown is the apparent quality of the materials used, which is most obvious when it comes to the carpet and the interior panel plastics.

Ease of use

5.0

The controls are thoughtfully arranged and separated by function, with a handy volume knob and tune buttons just below the touchscreen. Climate controls are also prominent and self-explanatory. The instrument panel can be configured three ways; we like the Enhanced setting's range-coaching features.

Getting in/getting out

5.0

All four of the Bolt's doors open wide, and the roofline is tall all the way to the rear hatch. And the seats themselves are in the Goldilocks zone for height; they're neither too high nor too low.

Driving position

4.0

A range of our drivers found it easy to settle in behind the wheel thanks to the Bolt's height-adjustable driver seat and the generous adjustment range of its telescopic steering wheel.

Roominess

5.0

The Bolt feels much bigger inside than you'd suspect after looking at it from outside. There's plenty of head- and legroom, and that extends to the rear seats. Our 6-foot-2-inch tester was able to adjust the front seat to his liking and then move to the rear seat with no trouble.

Visibility

5.0

You can easily see out of the Bolt. Peekaboo windows up front help you see past the front roof pillars, and the low window sill makes it easy to see out the sides. Mirror coverage is good, and the rear blind spot isn't large. We wish the standard rearview camera worked better in low light, though.

Quality

2.5

Chevy's desire to save weight and cost with the interior is obvious. The carpet feels thin and the easily dirtied left footrest is unprotected. The interior panels don't even attempt to disguise the fact that they are made of hard plastic. For a car in the Bolt's price range, it's disappointing.

Utility

4.5

As a ground-up design, the Bolt EV does well in this area because of its tall profile and the underfloor position of its big drive battery, a position that has no negative repercussions for either passenger or cargo space.

Small-item storage

4.5

Considering its size, the Bolt doesn't disappoint in this area. The front door pockets are good-sized, the center console and glovebox are adequate, and the main cupholders are well-positioned. There's also an open bin for a purse and a couple of extra cubbies perfect for phone storage.

Cargo space

4.0

At 16.9 cubic feet with all seats in use, the Bolt's cargo area is usefully sized. The available floor panel cover can either be left in place for hidden basement storage or removed to carry bulkier items. Fold one or both parts of the 60/40-split backseat to open up a bigger space.

Child safety seat accommodation

5.0

LATCH anchor and top tethers cover all three rear seat positions, and you can choose to fit one car seat in the middle or a pair in the outer seats. The anchors are easy to reach, and the door opening is adequately large and doesn't slope down much at all. Enough space for bulky rear-facing seats.

Technology

3.5

The Bolt handles smartphones well, with up to four USB ports. But built-in navigation is oddly unavailable. Apple CarPlay and Android will let you echo your phone's map on the main screen, but you have to own one of those phones, have a sufficient data plan and be in an area with data coverage.

Audio & navigation

2.5

The Bolt's touchscreen is big, but menu response can be slow. We like the fixed volume knob and the volume paddle behind the right steering spoke. Oddly, navigation is absent unless you use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to display your phone's map on the big screen — provided you have a signal.

Smartphone integration

4.5

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Bluetooth is available for those who can't or prefer not to use these interfaces. There are two front-seat USB ports in the LT, and if you get a Premier and opt for the Infotainment package you'll get two more charge-only ports for the backseat.

Driver aids

4.0

Our Premier came standard with rear parking sonar and rear cross-traffic and blind-spot monitoring, all of which are optional on LT. Additional systems that are optional on Premier (and not available on LT) include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance.

Voice control

4.0

The standard voice controls work well, and if you have CarPlay or Android Auto active, you can hold the button longer to access Siri and Google Voice, which opens the door to even more voice-activated data possibilities.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV models

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is an all-electric four-door hatchback that is offered in just two trim levels: LT and Premier. Both share the same mechanical running gear, including the 200-horsepower electric motor and the large 60-kWh underfloor battery that is good for about 238 miles on a full charge.

Standardized 240-volt charge equipment will fill that battery from empty in about 9.3 hours. But it's unlikely you'll ever run it down that low between charges, so it's better to think in terms of the Bolt's 240-volt Level 2 charging rate, which is a healthy 25 mph-c (miles added per hour charging). Don't plan on subsisting on the included 120-volt Level 1 power cord because it can only recharge at 3 or 4 mph-c.

With the LT, you'll get 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, a rearview camera, and keyless ignition and entry. Inside, you'll find height-adjustable cloth seats, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a configurable gauge cluster display, automatic climate control, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, OnStar, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a six-speaker sound system with two USB ports.

Options for the LT include the Comfort and Convenience package, which consists of heated front seats, a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Driver Confidence I package brings in blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors. Another noteworthy LT option is a cargo area floor cover for extra storage capability.

Step up to the Premier and you'll get everything described above, including the LT options. You'll also get cargo roof rails, leather seats, ambient interior lighting, heated rear seats, a center rear armrest, a top-down parking camera system and an upgraded, camera-based rearview mirror.

Premier options include the Infotainment package, which has a seven-speaker Bose audio system, wireless smartphone charging and two charge-only USB ports for rear seat passengers. There's also the Driver Confidence II package, which consists of a forward collision warning system with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic emergency braking, a lane departure warning and intervention system, and automatic high-beam headlamp dimming.

The only significant option that's common to both of them is DC fast charging capability, which allows the car to use SAE Combo 400-volt Level 3 charge stations that can fill the battery to 80 percent in little more than an hour. Think in terms of a charge rate upwards of 150 mph-c and you can see the benefit. We consider this option to be essential for a car with as much range as the Bolt because, as more of these stations get built, DC fast charging will open the door to interstate travel.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV.

5 (64%)

4 (22%)

3 (5%)

2 (7%)

1 (2%)

4.4

90 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Wanted a Volt, got a Bolt

J D, 06/08/2017

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

I wanted to replace my Ford Escape Hybrid with a Volt but did not like the tight feeling of the Volt. But the Bolts were in the Dealership and I found that it was a much better choice for me. The car is very comfortable although it is a subcompact. It seemed roomier than the Ford Escape. The 200 Hp engine seemed almost too powerful. The low gear for hill driving is created by …

2017 Bolt mfg date 11/2016

tk1971, 02/14/2017

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

Update 3/1/22: Almost 106k miles and I got a new drive battery under the recall with another 100k warranty. Needed a new 12v battery last year which is expected. Other than that, it’s been wiper blades, tires and washer fluid. 8/21/20-Got CarPlay2Air for wireless Carplay. Best car I’ve ever owned. Update 2/21/2019: Had a creaking develop at the front of the car. Fixed under warranty … by replacing the front left axle. Bumper to bumper is over, and my plastic seatback breaks. $50 part, easy install. Still, best car ever! Update as of 2/19/2018: Had the dealer update the Infotainment system with the newest revision software. That took care of the bug in which the front camera stays on, once in a blue moon. CarPlay seems more stable now. My steering linkage boot located behind the accelerator/brake pedals was rubbing against the linkage causing a squeaking noise when I occasionally need to turn the steering wheel more than one revolution. Dealer states that they fixed it, but it still does it (typical dealer experience). Still this car, thus far is the lowest maintenance vehicle I have ever owned: Tire Rotations and washer fluid. Got WeatherTech liners. Update as of 8/2017: I’m totally hooked on the Bolt EV. No gas, no oil changes. Only two tire rotations for maintenance since I got it. Haven’t even run out of washer fluid yet. Got my car tinted all around with 3M Crystalline and stayed cool throughout the summer. There’s monster glare from the light gray dash which was fixed with a $50 dash toupee. Ugly but functional. The light gray carpet is looking ratty. I’m also loving the camera rear view mirror. No worries about an obstructed view from passengers and/or cargo behind me. I also pieced together a spare tire kit using a Cruze spare donut / lug wrench and an S10 jack. Fits under the false floor perfectly. I drive about 80 miles a day, so just in case. I did add rubber inserts in the cup holders and double side taped a sunglasses clip to the map light console. I’ve pretty much addressed all my initial nit-picking items. One pedal driving is fantastic. Reminds me of driving a stick shift when taking corners. Just lift my foot off the accelerator (without the need to downshift) and the car aggressively slows for regen, then accelerate out of the turn using all that wonderful torque. I really love this car!!! Original review: I'm assuming I have one of the early ones with a mfg date of 11/2016. I have a long commute so the range is perfect for me. With the long freeway commute, I have noticed that this car requires a lot more steering input than I would like to stay straight on the freeway. Compared to a Prius C, which practically feels like it doesn't have power steering at speed (a good thing). My wife drives a Leaf and this car outdoes it in every way except for the rear cargo space. The Bolt is 11 inches shorter than the Leaf and it's noticeable only in the trunk space. All other dimensions are very similar. Glad to see a flat rear floor on the Bolt vs the center battery hump in the Leaf, so this car easily seats 5. Being a shorter car with a shorter wheelbase, I'm confused as to why the turn radius is 6 inches wider than with the Leaf. Front visibility is better than with the Leaf, in which the Leaf A pillars consistently block my view of pedestrians waiting to cross the street at stop signs. Strange thing with my specific car: Somewhere between final QC at the factory and when I bought the car (with 10 miles on it, so it could have been the last person who test drove it?), the video feed coax cable to the digital rear view mirror got ripped right off, rendering it inoperable (and un-fixable). It was the one of a handful of features I didn't try before I signed all the papers (of course). Been waiting a week after my first visit to the service department and the new mirror hasn't arrived yet from the factory. Power is adequate. The manual is non-specific in a few things like the fact that a pump and sealant kit does not come with this car because it has the self sealing tires, though the manual has clear instructions on how to use the pump/sealant "when applicable". I guess in my case it wasn't applicable. I've had the electric parking brake engage by itself twice when I shift into Park and the manual simply states that it could do that under certain circumstances to check the operation of the EPB system. Most of the time, engaging the parking brake is a manual affair. CarPlay works. Seriously, I've never had Siri work so well... ever. I even bought an extra short 6" Lightning cable just for this car (because CarPlay only works with the phone plugged into one of the front USB ports on the center console). No sunglasses holder. I think I'll double side tape one of those sunglasses visor clips to the black plastic enclosure that likely houses all the OnStar electronics above the rear view mirror. Almost forgot, the front cupholders don't have rubber inserts, so my coffee tumbler rattles. Lots of reviews out there talking about range, power, etc, so I figure I'd post a review of stuff I didn't read about, but kinda matters to someone like me who spends a couple of hours on the road a day.

Finally an EV car I can love!!

FuryDT, 06/19/2018

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

Amazing car! Since there is very little to zero advertising for this car, I didn't even know it existed until I stumbled upon it on Chevy's website. I had been test driving the Tesla as I was going to purchase the Model 3. But after the Tesla test drive I decided to keep looking. Then I came across the Bolt EV. Wow! This car had just about everything the Tesla had (minus the hands free …

Fantastic Vehicle with just a few minor warts

Tom McCalmont, 06/16/2017

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)

Recently leased a Chevy Bolt -- upgrading from a Nissan Leaf that I've driven for 5 years now (I wanted more range). This is the first GM car I've owned in 40 years. Definitely not your father's Oldsmobile -- the vehicle is comparable to high quality European and Japanese cars: great fit & finish, comfortable & logical controls and interior, great performance, terrific economy as an …

See all 90 reviews of the Chevrolet Bolt EV

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2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV videos

2017 Chevrolet Bolt First Impression: Driving and Handling

MARK TAKAHASHI: All right, so this is my first couple hundred feet in the driver's seat. The one thing I'm really noticing is it's got a really, really long dash top because of the rake of the windshield. There's one thing I learned about steeply raked windshields like that, or shallow rakes on windshield is they're prone to a lot of glare, which I'm actually seeing right now. And we have a light colored dash top. So you really see the vents. JOSH SADLIER: Yeah, I can see it reflecting in the bottom there. MARK TAKAHASHI: Yeah, and the temperature sensors and all the I guess the frontal collision warning light, so that's all pretty prominent in my eyesight. If we were driving into the sun, that might be less of a problem. But from certain angles it could be a little bit of an annoyance. But, yeah, it feels really like it's got a long nose as a result of that long dash, maybe not in a bad way, but almost like a minivan. JOSH SADLIER: Yeah, it does look like-- well it's got these like quarter windows up here. MARK TAKAHASHI: Yeah. JOSH SADLIER: They're minivan-like. MARK TAKAHASHI: Yeah, and that helps with opening up the visibility a little bit so you get a hint of a pedestrian or something. Not complaining, it's just very different. Not at all what I would have expected from a hatchback type of thing. Although, Honda's kind of been doing that as well. JOSH SADLIER: Yeah, the Fit has those, right? MARK TAKAHASHI: Yeah, I think so. JOSH SADLIER: Little quarter windows, yeah, so it's not a first. But yeah, minivan's a good call. This does seem like a futuristic family transporter. Taking us backwards down the snake here, Mark. MARK TAKAHASHI: This is the snake. This is one of my favorite roads. Now, admittedly, this isn't a car for the snake. But it's midday. It just rained, so I'm not going to impede anyone's path here. But, yeah I mean, the car drives pretty much as you'd expect it to, light steering. Everything's kind of effortless. The brakes take a little getting used to. They're a little long in travel for the pedal. And-- JOSH SADLIER: Kind of mushy at the bottom too, right? MARK TAKAHASHI: A little bit. Yeah, I haven't really given it any hard braking, yet. But it's behaving just fine. I'm not pushing the car at all, because it's wet and I've never driven this car, really. But there's nothing I can really complain about. It's doing everything kind of all right. And this little paddle on the left side of the steering wheel gives you some brake region. I'm just kind of using it to brake into these corners. JOSH SADLIER: So you're braking with your fingertips? MARK TAKAHASHI: Yeah, my foot's off the pedals. JOSH SADLIER: You haven't used your pedal the whole way down? MARK TAKAHASHI: Only to give it some gas or electrons. JOSH SADLIER: Got it. MARK TAKAHASHI: So, yeah, I mean, so far, I don't really have much to say about the Bolt except to say it's more than competent. And I kind of like the interior. JOSH SADLIER: Yeah. Yeah, I agree. I've had it for a couple nights and kind of ran out of things to say about it pretty quickly, which is a complement to Chevrolet really. Nothing really jumps out as being egregiously bad. MARK TAKAHASHI: Right. JOSH SADLIER: And for the most part, it seems to be pretty smartly engineered. MARK TAKAHASHI: Yeah, visibility wise, I am kind of poking my head back and forth to see through the turns. But that's kind of standard for every car we've driven in the modern era because of rollover standards and, you know, cockpit strength stuff. But, yeah, I'm not-- for a car in this class, it's kind of expected. JOSH SADLIER: What do you think about-- so imagine someone paying 35 grand for one of these. Do you think there'd be any disappointments at that price? MARK TAKAHASHI: I don't think so because once you get to the heart of the matter of any EV, which is you're not putting gas in. You're just charging it, and, you know, it's a lot cheaper. That's the whole point of this car. And your anecdotal evidence of it's range and how it's estimating range, it's certainly fulfilling it so far. We'll see how it does at the end of this year long test, or maybe even longer than a year. But, yeah I mean, battery technology has come a long way since even just the LEAF. JOSH SADLIER: Yeah, what I like too, though, is that it's not just that it's doing its job as an EV, but it's a pleasant car all around too. Like I can imagine, you know, Chevrolet investing most of the money in the EV development and skimping on the infotainment display for example. MARK TAKAHASHI: Right. JOSH SADLIER: This thing's beautiful. It's a big screen. It's sharp. It seems to respond well for the most part. So I don't think there's that-- nothing sticks out as like a cutting of corners, say. MARK TAKAHASHI: Right. JOSH SADLIER: It seems like they covered all their bases even outside the EV part. MARK TAKAHASHI: Yeah, well done, Chevy. All right, so we're in the Bolt and I want to talk about the brake pedal. Initially the bite is what you'd expect. It's not too grabby. It's not too mushy. But it's right when you crawl up to the end of a stop, you have to actually give it more pressure to bring it to a stop. Otherwise you're just going to keep coasting it the back of a car. My first full stop a little while back kind of got my eyes bulging a little, like, oh, more break, more break. Obviously that's just one more thing that you have to get used to if you drive this every day. For us, where we're dropping into cars day after day, something different, it's certainly more of an adaptive problem. But I mean if you're thinking of buying a Bolt, know that going in, that it's going to have kind of a soft-ish brake finish. JOSH SADLIER: Yeah, especially those first few stops, like you were saying. I remember my first stop, when I took it home a couple of nights ago. I actually ended up in the middle of a cross-walk over the white line. MARK TAKAHASHI: Yeah, I can see how. JOSH SADLIER: Because there's this mushy zone at the bottom where you're not really sure what it's doing. And you realize it's not doing anything and you go through it. MARK TAKAHASHI: Right, yeah. I mean I pushed as hard as I think you would have if you were in a panic stop at the very end there. JOSH SADLIER: Yeah, Yeah. MARK TAKAHASHI: That bumper's getting closer. JOSH SADLIER: Yup. MARK TAKAHASHI: So, something to think about. [MUSIC PLAYING]

2017 Chevrolet Bolt First Impression: Driving and Handling

Edmunds editors Josh Sadlier and Mark Takahashi share their first impressions of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt's driving and handling capabilities, including its light, effortless steering and soft brake pedal. It also has a few minivan-like qualities.

2017 Chevrolet Bolt First Impression: Driving and Handling

2017 Chevrolet Bolt First Impression: Backseat Space

2017 Chevrolet Bolt First Impression: Acceleration and Inter...

2017 Chevrolet Bolt | Meet the Car

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV 360° Test Drive

2017 Chevrolet Bolt First Look

2017 Bolt EV Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP	$36,620
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,125 Based on income
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	238 miles
Cost to Drive	$49/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	9.3 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

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Bolt EV models:

Forward Collision Alert: Scans the road ahead and warns the driver of potential rear-end collisions in case the driver has not already identified the risks.
Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking: Applies the brakes in cases where the driver has not responded in order to avoid or minimize the severity of certain impacts.
Lane Keep Assist w/Lane Departure Warning: Warns the driver that the car may be drifting from its lane and can apply corrective action to nudge it back into line.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2017 Chevy Bolt EV Review

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Which Bolt EV does Edmunds recommend?

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV models

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Wanted a Volt, got a Bolt

2017 Bolt mfg date 11/2016

Finally an EV car I can love!!

Fantastic Vehicle with just a few minor warts

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV videos

2017 Chevrolet Bolt First Impression: Driving and Handling

2017 Bolt EV Highlights

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