2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV

The all-electric 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV subcompact car can run for 259 miles on a single charge. Pricing starts at $26,500.

In a way, the 2023 Bolt EV is the cheapest new electric car sold in the United States. It has the lowest manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) thanks to Chevrolet slashing it. The Nissan Leaf starts at $28,040. The Bolt also boasts an impressive range of up to 259 miles on a full charge, adding to its value proposition.

The closely related and slightly more spacious 2023 Bolt EUV is reviewed separately. Chevrolet has announced the production of the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV will come to an end in late 2023.

Available in two trims, the 2023 Bolt EV lineup starts with the 1LT and a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $26,500, plus a destination charge. The 2LT comes in at $29,700.

These are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and don’t include the $995 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Due to recent legislative changes, the Chevy Bolt EV once again gets a $7,500 federal tax credit for eligible buyers. Additionally, various states might still be offering incentives.

For example, the California Clean Vehicle Rebate program offered $2,000 to anyone who bought or leased a 2022 Bolt EV. Chevrolet also provides a 240-volt home charger.

Some rivals are still eligible for the federal tax perk, such as the Nissan Leaf (starting at $28,040), Hyundai Kona Electric (from approximately $34K), and the Kia Niro EV (from around $40K).

Before buying a new Bolt EV, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area paid for theirs. Resale values are robust.

A unique thing about most electric cars is one-pedal driving. The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV can do this via the Regen on Demand shift paddle beneath the steering wheel. Set it at the highest intensity of brake regeneration, and the car will speed up or slow down just by how much pressure is on the accelerator pedal.

For quick stops, use the brakes. But in the bustle of city life, one-pedal driving is less tiring for the driver, and it helps to replenish the battery.

In general, the Bolt EV is easy to live with, rides smoothly and quietly, provides useful bursts of acceleration when required, and gives you a slightly elevated driving position.

Even as one of the cheapest new electric cars on the market, the cabin of the 2023 Bolt EV still has some classiness to it. There are some soft-touch plastics, comfortable front seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, standard 8-inch digital driver information display, and a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen.

There’s no point criticizing the Chevy Bolt EV for having 36 inches of rear legroom. This is a subcompact hatchback, after all. And that’s really not bad. A couple of adults can fit, as long as they aren’t much taller than average. If this is an issue, check out the Bolt EUV with 3 more inches.

The rear seats split and fold in the usual 60/40 way. Luggage space behind them is 16.6 cubic feet, expanding to 57 cubic feet with those seats folded down. The Bolt EUV can’t do any better in this respect.

A redesign last year livened up the Bolt EV’s styling, enhancing its electric-car vibe with the filled-in grille and thin LED headlights. Although it’s essentially a subcompact hatchback, the car is a little higher overall than, say, a Chevrolet Spark. This creates room for the battery pack to be mounted under the floor.

A new paint choice for the 2023 Bolt EV is Radiant Red Tintcoat.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
As well as having wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard (so drivers don’t have to fish around in pockets or purses for their smartphone), this system has a decent-sized 10.2-inch touchscreen, and a user-friendly way of operating.

PRICING
The Chevy Bolt EV is the most affordable electric car on the market for the 2023 model year. The real winners are us, the consumers, because we have a greater choice of new electric cars, including ones with ranges that are less likely to create anxiety.

The 1LT trim of the 2023 Bolt EV has 17-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, heated side mirrors, keyless entry/start, remote start, 8-inch digital driver information display, single-zone automatic climate control, programmable Teen Driver key, and cloth upholstery.

The infotainment system centers around a 10.2-inch touchscreen. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Wi-Fi, in-vehicle apps, USB-A port, USB-C port, satellite radio, and six speakers.

Standard driver aids consist of forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance/lane-departure warning, following distance indicator, and automatic high beams.

The pricier 2LT trim brings perforated leather seating surfaces, a heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 360-degree camera system, a self-dimming rearview mirror, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

It may not be necessary for 2023 Bolt EV buyers to splash out for the top trim to obtain all the equipment they desire. The 1LT is offered with a Driver Confidence package bringing blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. A Comfort and Convenience package adds a heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

Options for the 2LT include an Infotainment package with wireless phone charging, two rear USB ports, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. Buyers can also select adaptive cruise control.

One optional item with both trims is a dual-level charge cord that works with both 120-volt and 240-volt supplies.

Because it’s exclusively a front-wheel-drive car, the 2023 Bolt EV has one electric motor. Taking energy from a lithium-ion battery pack, this unit generates 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque.

The battery and electric components have an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.

A full recharge on a 240-volt setup takes seven hours. While out and about, a DC fast charger can supply 100 miles of range in half an hour. If a domestic 120-volt connection is all that’s available, plan on four miles of range added per hour.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates miles-per-gallon-equivalent figures for electric cars (MPGe). These EPA numbers below are from 2022, but 2023’s should be the same.

Permanent magnet electric motor
65 kWh lithium-ion battery
200 horsepower
266 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 131/109 MPGe
EPA-estimated range: 259 miles

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