Still Electrifies
Hot hatchbacks don’t usually shy away from letting you know they’ve got performance in mind. Whether it’s bold coloured decals, extra exhaust pipes or heavily bolstered seats, you pretty much know what you’re in for. But I’d almost argue the Chevrolet Bolt should join those ranks. You’d never guess it from its slightly awkward looks – but this thing has some serious go. Zero to 100 happens in just over 6 seconds. Its electric motors give you instant torque – and in some cases, you might even get some tire squeal to go with it. And like any good hatchback, there’s loads of room. But with an increasing amount of EV options to pick from – does the Bolt still hold up? After all it’s one of the early players in modern affordable EV’s. It’s been on the market for four years now, and since then we’ve seen other choices from Ford, Porsche, Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and more. Does the bolt still have a spark? Can anyone not write an EV review without resorting to terrible electricity based puns?
Let’s get the elephant out of the room first – and yes, we’re referring to the looks. Next to a Tesla, Porsche Taycan, even a Nissan Leaf, the Bolt looks a bit goofy to us. It’s almost got minivan-esque styling, but compacted down to the size of a hatchback. But there is a distinct advantage to its quirky styling. That tall roofline means you get excellent visibility all around – and loads of headroom to boot – for those in the front and the back. And a pretty usable boot, for that matter. Many electric cars will significantly shrink down your cargo space to make room for the battery packs that power them, and indeed, you’ll see that here too. But the impact is quite minimal.
Inside, things are a little more conventional. You can see where GM had to enact some cost cutting measures – in the hard plastic surfaces dominating the dashboard. But visually, the white textured pieces contrast nicely and provide a high tech, but still conventional and usable aesthetic. However, when you look at the cost of the Bolt, it’s questionable whether this interior is worthy of a vehicle that costs nearly $50,000. The infotainment system and digital displays are very well done, however.
These issues are not new to the Bolt. It’s been a similar story since its launch. So what’s new about it for this year? Well, GM addressed the one concern virtually any potential EV buyer has: range anxiety. Imagine running out of gas and stalling on the side of the road. Except you can’t run to a gas station and return with a jerry can of fuel. When you’re out of charge, you’re dead in the water. Or on the asphalt, as it were. The latest Bolt now has an extended range of 417 km. But the best part is – the range estimate reading is remarkably accurate too. Despite a generous helping of anxiety, I discovered I could complete my daily commute without having to plug in every night, despite the overwhelming temptation to do so out of an abundance of caution.
What’s more – the Bolt is genuinely fun to drive. It’ll sprint from 0-100 in just 0.1 seconds slower than a BMW X1. Sure, it won’t kick you into the back of your seat. But the instant torque from its electric motors just might. Plus – with the weight of those batteries and a low centre of gravity, you feel completely planted and confident. You never feel like you’re lacking in any power – and the increased range just adds to the confidence it instills.
Starting at just over $37,000, the Bolt is a fairly priced EV. Until the day these kinds of vehicles become similarly priced to a typical economy car, it’s the closest thing you’ll get to good value. While the car can charge with a standard outlet, you really should invest in a proper charging station, as it’ll cut down the charge time from nearly two days – to a matter of hours. While the upfront cost can be high, you may be eligible for government incentives. But if you can manage it – it’s a damn good feeling not paying for gas each week.
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