Afterall of the turmoil in the automotive industry, ‘EV of the Year’ is still a huge category. Many automakers are actively shifting their investments into more hybrids so that the new vehicles aren’t as off-putting to traditional drivers. Car and Driver couched its selection admitting that it doesn’t want to see ICE vehicles disappear. “While we cringe at the thought of electric vehicles entirely replacing those with internal combustion engines, we fully appreciate the technological, environmental, and even dynamic benefits EVs can offer.” The publication said that its selection must be affordable, technologically advanced and be enjoyable to drive. Car and Driver says the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt fulfills the mission.
“This year's winner provides the deep satisfaction of getting more car than you paid for.”
“Affordability is relative, of course. One person's inexpensive goods are another's out-of-budget treasures. Nevertheless, at a time when the average price of a new car hovers around $50K, the 2027 Bolt's $28,995 base price makes it about as budget-friendly as a new car can be.”
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt
The Bolt was a Chevrolet success story until issues forced the automaker to reconfigure its battery. Now the Bolt is back and still very affordable.
“The Chevrolet Bolt was the industry’s first affordable mass-market, long-range EV and it commanded one of GM’s most loyal customer bases thanks to its price, versatility and practicality,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Global Chevrolet.
“After production ended, we heard our customer’s feedback and their love for this product. So the Bolt is coming back—by popular demand and better than ever—for a limited time. This is a celebration of what Bolt means to our customers and to Chevrolet. It’s your chance to own a popular EV that’s affordable. So, if you’ve been waiting, this is the moment. Don’t miss it,” Bell said.
Car and Driver gives the new Bolt points for having more interior room than its predecessor! “This is a boon for ride quality and also creates a generous rear passenger compartment. This stubby subcompact has enough rear-seat legroom for lanky six-footers to sit comfortably in the outboard positions of the three-across bench even with the front buckets pushed to the far ends of their rails.”
The publication also praises the Bolt for improved charging. “A peak charge speed of 150 kW is nearly three times quicker than before, thanks to a switch to lithium-iron phosphate battery chemistry. We found that it takes 38 minutes to refill the 65-kWh battery from a 10 to a 90 percent state of charge.”
“Driving range is reasonable, with the new Bolt managing 230 miles in our 75-mph real-world test”.
The Bolt has Enough Horsepower to Get You Where You Need to Go
“The 210-hp front-mounted permanent-magnet drive motor's 169 pound-feet of torque is not a lot by EV standards but is still gutsy enough to push the little Chevy around with reasonable authority. The Bolt's 6.7-second trot to 60 mph is acceptable, and its acceleration on the move is more than adequate for passing slower traffic at city and highway speeds. Boot the right pedal, and a 30–50-mph pass takes a spritely 2.5 seconds, while getting from 50 to 70 mph requires just 3.6 ticks of the second hand.”
Chevrolet took an interesting approach when it rolled out the Bolt years ago. It was determined to load the little EV with all the latest technology. Mary Barra voiced repeatedly that the young, entry-level buyers were the ones who demanded the best access to technology and she was right. From the beginning, the Bolt had access to the best safety and assisted driving features. That continues with the 2027 Bolt. It is available with GM’s latest Super Cruise hands-free driving-assist system, but the added package will bump the starting price to $35,655.
Affordable and User-Friendly
Car and Driver gives the Bolt high marks for being easy to drive. “The final ace up the Bolt's sleeve, though, is just how easy it is to operate, regardless of its equipment levels. The interior may feature an abundance of hard plastics, but what the cabin lacks in soft surfaces it makes up for in utility, courtesy of a convenient array of storage cubbies and open space.”
“Even the infotainment system is easy to operate courtesy of its generally intuitive layout and menu structures and responsive touchscreen commands. Still, we wish General Motors would reconsider its decision to shun Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.”
It appears that once again Chevrolet has developed an affordable, practical, fun EV. We have seen and test-driven a lot of EVs that start about $20,000 more. Given that Chevrolet makes some of its high-end driver assist technology available on an entry-level vehicle makes it even sweeter.
Car and Driver sums it up this way. “The fact that Chevy pins a $28,995 price to an EV with a spacious and versatile cabin, solid real-world driving range, spirited dynamics, and a general ease of use makes the '27 Bolt the right EV for right now.”
“The Chevy Bolt adds to our already successful EV portfolio,” Bell said. “With Equinox EV as America’s most affordable EV with more than 315 miles of EPA-estimated range, and Bolt offering the most range in an EV under $30,000, Chevy is leading the way on EV affordability without compromise.”
Image by Chevrolet
About the Author
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary at @MaryConwayMedia on X and on Facebook, and send her car news tips for future stories. Mary Conway is an esteemed automotive and business reporter who was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2019. Mary is a member of the Automotive Press Association, Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, Society of Professional Journalists, and NATAS.
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