2020 Chevrolet Bolt

Chevrolet sells a wide range of sedans, coupes, compact SUVs, large SUVs, EVs, and pickup trucks. Most models have roomy interiors and come with standard safety and convenience technology. Several models, however, have poor visibility and lack steering agility. Many Chevrolets rank average or below average for reliability in CR’s rankings. The brand stands out for selling historically significant and category-defining vehicles. The Suburban and Tahoe can keep three rows of passengers comfortable within their enormous cabins. The Silverado pickup truck competes with the best-selling Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 by balancing interior comfort with towing and cargo capability. In the past and today, the Camaro and Corvette are performance car bargains. The rear/mid-engined “C8” Corvette can be as thrilling as much more expensive European supercars. With some exceptions, used Chevrolets can have reliability issues, but are often less expensive to maintain and repair than competitors.

The Bolt is a game changer since it’s the first relatively affordable EV to have a robust driving range. This small hatchback is built around a large 60-kWh battery pack that sits under the car’s floor and contributes to the car’s planted feel despite its tall stance. With 200 electrified horses on tap, the Bolt accelerates with gusto. A full charge can take 9 hours on a 240-volt connector but with a 250 mile range according to our measurement, you rarely have to do it. The battery gains about 25 mile of range per hour of charging through a 240V connector. The Bolt is very quiet but the ride can get choppy. Controls take some getting used to including the unintuitive shifter. The driver’s seat is short on lower-back support and interior quality is on the cheap side. A 2022 freshening improved the infotainment system and interior, and brought a version called EUV that's slightly larger. The 200-hp electric motor, that drives the front wheels used in the current Bolt EV, carries over. The Bolt EV can travel 259 miles on a fully charged battery, as estimated by EPA. DC fast charging capability is also standard, and Chevrolet says 30 minutes of DC charging in public places will add 100 miles of range. The interior is new, including a more comfortable seat and soft touch materials for a more upscale feel. The infotainment system and gear selector are easier to use. Active safety features including FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator are now standard. BSW, RCTW, and adaptive cruise control are optional. 2023 is the final year for the Bolt.