Thank you for bringing some common sense to the EV conversation. I'm sick of people thinking that an EV needs to be all wheel drive, self driving, have a luxury car interior, and a negative zero to sixty time to be worthy of driving oneself 16 miles to work at an average speed below 55mph. We're never going to come close to full EV adoption until there's more Bolt type EVs available.
re: "I'm sick of people thinking that an EV needs to be all wheel drive, self driving, have a luxury car interior, and a negative zero to sixty time" more specifically what you're sick of is our "normalized" GREEDY and RAPEY orientation towards the world (unfortunately you won't get many to admit this). re: "We're never going to come close to full EV adoption until there's more Bolt type EVs available." yup, as additionally demonstrated by our attitudes toward a Global Pandemic, Masking, and Vaccines we're SUPER DUMB and contradictory in our behavior (no our EGOS won't allow us to admit this either).
I just don't see people buying these cars like they do the Corollas, Camrys, Civics, Accords and Rav-4s. There is still the crowds that like to modify cars, I don't see these people buying EVs. No manual transmission option either.. EVs will continue to just be an option and not the norm.. They need to build electric charging centers so hundreds of people can charge at the same time, four big centers in a city like Los Angeles roughly 10 miles apart would be great for those that live in apartments and can not charge at home.
Many put weird criteria on EVs like everyone should only buy Tesla's, but adults need cars too. Bolt is practical & fun, not everyone can or wants to spend Tesla price.
Agreed. We recently decided on an Ioniq 5 but the bolt was our second choice only due to size since we wanted the extra room (3 kids) and AWD (heavy snow 3 months out of the year and hills everywhere)
@@spoutingfiction Odly enough the leg room for rear seats is larger in Chevrolet Bolt EUV than in Hyundai Ioniq 5. So I would think that feature is the most important kids not to fight in the back seats.
I love alex reply to the Tesla garbage. I told people that when the bolt came out and then the next year was compared to the model 3 and it is not comparable I love Alex he is the best . Great start to the video
I am glad that reviewers are starting to make that point. Doug Demuro said something similar in his review of the Bolt EUV. He didn't say no shit sherlock though haha.
As a Bolt and a Model 3 owner, THANK YOU for making the seemingly obvious (but clearly not obvious) statement that the Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3/Y are not the same thing. My fully loaded 2019 Bolt Premier cost $20k less new than my Model 3 LR. My Bolt goes all the same places as my Model 3 and can get there just as quickly and easily as the Model 3 as long as it is less than about 200 miles. It should be noted that a standard range Model 3 (the only Tesla that is even remotely close to a Bolt in real world price) will only go about as far on a single charge as the Bolt. Yes, the Tesla charges substantially faster than the Bolt when using a fast charger (it charges just as quickly when charging at home, which is what I do 95% of the time), and I’ve shown on my channel that my long range Tesla can do a 500 mile freeway trip over an hour faster than the Bolt (my Bolt has a smaller and slower charging battery than the current Bolts), but how often do we really need to drive further than 200 miles in 1 sitting? The Bolt can still do it, but it takes longer. I spent about an hour with a Bolt EUV and honestly I was really impressed with it. The old Bolt interior has always felt cheap. The updated interior feels more in line with a vehicle of its price. It’s still not premium, but much better. I would say that based off the experience I’ve had with various Teslas (including a Model S), the build QUALITY of the new Bolt EV and EUV is actually better than Tesla. The material quality is not as good as the full premium interior of the Tesla, but the build quality is better. For instance, less interior noise, less rattles and squeaks, better panel fitment in the Bolt than the Tesla. On the note of efficiency, the Bolt and the Model 3 are nearly equal when cruising at “slower” highway speeds of around 65-70mph. I get about 4mi/kwh (or about 250wh/mi in Tesla world) in the Bolt during my daily 70 miles commute at 65mph, the Tesla gets about 4.2 mi/kwh or about 230wh/mi. But, at higher speeds, like 75+, the Tesla retains a bit more efficiency than the Bolt because it is a sedan vs a small hatchback. It’s just a more aerodynamic shape, even if it is less practical. That said, the Model 3 with a heat pump is a lot more efficient during cold weather due to its ability to take heat from the battery and motors for the HVAC system, especially if you preheat the vehicle before disconnecting from a charger. The Bolt uses an inefficient (by comparison) interior heater and it does have a big impact on efficiency. I still think however that if the prices are nearly the same as a Tesla, as they can be with higher optioned Bolts (especially the EUV), and you don’t plan to keep the vehicle beyond the warranty period, it would be best to go with a Tesla. The model 3 has more passenger room and it is better for long trips. The Model Y had similar benefits of the Model 3 but adds more cargo room and a high stance, at the cost of efficiency (and purchase price). But, there are still big questions about long term reliability and cost/ease of repairs in any Tesla. They use a lot of modular components that are expensive to buy and difficult to get. Tesla service centers are often only in major metro areas (mine is about 40 miles away from me, and I live in a CARB emissions state on the west coast) and frequently overbooked (usually at least 2 week wait to get an appointment). I’ve only had to make a couple service appointments for my Bolt (1 for a recall, 1 for a free annual service) but scheduling is easy and can usually be done within the same week. There are at least 5 Bolt certified service departments within the same 40 mile radius, plus Chevy makes service info and parts readily available to independent shops, so any other shop that works on EVs could easily work on it too.
Thank you for writing about your experiences with these electric cars. I went with BMW because I prefer excellent build quality and good engineering over range as I don't drive outside the city I live in and rarely use a public charger.
I chose the Bolt over the Tesla mostly because of price. But I also didnt want to be forced into being a brand ambassador for Tesla. Not interested. Nor am I am Elon fanboy. Chevy makes real cars with real engineering for real people. Plus, I drive the Bolt like a complete asshole - it’s invisible and never noticed. I like that.
The problem with this is the Bolt isn't as good as a Tesla in very important ways that matter. Someone buying a $30k Bolt over a $40k Tesla will regret it 5-10 years later when they sell and the Tesla cost less to own and provided a much better experience while owning it. It's like recommending a double wide trailer when houses are a thing. You only buy the double wide if you have no choice. Not saying Tesla's are an appreciating asset, just that they hold their value way better than a Bolt.
The battery recall kind of took the wind out of the sails of the Bolt. I bought a Bolt EUV 2 weeks before it was included in the recall. I had a 2017 Bolt before that. I love the car. Drives great. Way more space than you'd think. I like the look of the EUV and interior looks and feels great too. Hopefully they get the battery issue figured out.
Yea, at least us older Bolt owners (I have an '18) get something for the inconvenience- more range and a reset of the warranty. I would be very unhappy (right now I'm just unhappy), if I had just bought a new one to have it recalled a day after I drove it off the lot.
@@erichaynes7502 in the end, GM is where the buck stops. I expect it will be a shared cost. Either way new batteey modules that are made without the defects.
2020 owner here. I liked my bolt very much but I’m done. Done with Chevy. Can’t charge past 90% and can’t go lower than 70miles?. How much range exactly did I lose? Lol. If all was good it was a heck of a little car but I should’ve known better to buy an EV from an automaker that does it as a side hobby.
Tesla Model 3 owner - I test drove the Bolt EUV and it's a fine car; Yes it's going through a recall to fix a critical safety problem, but given its price, range and build quality there's nothing wrong with it. Plus I'm kind of envious about some of the real buttons.
I own one of these cars. Good little car. I've had a bolt now for four years. Fortunately, it's it's not my only car. I'm never too concerned about its fast charging speed seeing as half the fast chargers I pull up to are out of service. Unless you have a Tesla, I don't think people realize how bad public charging is. Hardly any chargers, massively slow compared to a gas fill up, and a ton of the chargers never work.
I also have a 17 bolt . I’ve taken many long distance trips .I just plan my meal breaks while I’m charging , so it doesn’t seem as long. My longest has been 1965 miles rd trip
That was something I am worried about. I believe that charging stations will get better, but I know it's not as great as I would like it to be right now in terms of availability and charging times. So that is why I got a 21 Corolla Hybrid. 10,000 miles in and only spent $693.43 in gasoline here in California. Not bad.
@@TheLongLouis Yeah it's not a dealer breaker, but I filling up with gas when you need to drive a fair amount is infinitely easier. Not to mention there is a gas station at every corner. I sort of want to get a Rav 4 Prime once my Bolt lease is up!
Thank you for not comparing the Bolt to a Tesla. There's nothing more frustrating than seeing Tesla used as a measuring stick for every EV regardless of price.
I'm on my second Bolt. Really good car, well made, solid and great range. I'm glad you brought up the battery vehicle weight issue. At 66 kWh my Bolt is perfect for my home with PV charging systems. It's not a perfect car but it sure is hard to beat. I can afford a more expensive car but I'm not sure I want one. When you consider this car has been out 6 years and it's still holding its own that's pretty darn good!
I had a 2018 Bolt from Nov 2018 to June 2022. It went through the battery recall without any drawbacks. Then a few short weeks later I was rear-ended and the result was a totalled Bolt. In mid 2022 I could not find any new Bolts that were available because of the battery recall. Then in late August the dealer who sold me the first one called and said they had a 2022 Bolt for me to look at. I bought it that day. No regrets. Something in the software needed to be adjusted because it would throw an "emisssions' code even though EVs have no emissions. The dealer fixed it in less than a 1/2 hour and now all is well. Love my Bolt.
Right on ! We have '17 and '18 Bolts. Great cars ! No problems. And we just got brand new batteries for free, extending their life by another 8 years. Couldn't ask for more....
Yeah, tired of Tesla comparisons. They should also ask “it’s not as unreliable as a Tesla, it’s not as poorly assembled as a Tesla, it’s not as buggy as a Tesla”.
The 2023 Chevy Bolt I have handles very precisely. The short hood makes turns seem very tight. This is our only vehicle. A big step up from an ICE Honda Fit.
Thank you so much for stressing the reality check about the flood of overpowered, overpriced supercar-performing EVs vs. something for regular people with working-class jobs. I do love the bonkers performance of the former(s), but you're absolutely right in how the auto press gloms everything to an $80k Tesla, even when they say they don't. It seems like it's always in their head, like they just can't shake it, and simply CANNOT grasp that 0-60mph performance in the low six second range is freakin' awesome for an everyday, practical hatchback.
I own a Bolt and I find traveling not to be a problem. Yes, a faster DCFC rate would be nice but the current rate is not a deal breaker. You are forgetting the greater efficiency of the vehicle means you get get more miles per minute of DCFC.
2020 Bolt owner here. Super bummed about the recall. I paid 24k out the door for mine 6 months ago and for the money it is a fantastic car! If I paid 40k I’d have a different sentiment. I’ve rented a model y for a week and yes, the Y is nicer, faster etc, but the Bolt delivers 85% of the driving experience for 1/2 the cost (at least to me). Now the battery recall, GM has to get that right, otherwise EV adoption for everyone is going to slow down. And for the record, Tesla hasn’t been fire free either.
I don’t view GM as responsible for mass EV adoption. Many other OEMs are stepping up with new EVs. I do not like GM’s wishy washy stance on EVs in the past. Bolt is a good EV but it’s price needs to drop to ~$22,000 MSRP to be more influential in the market.
@@barryw9473 fair point. GM isn’t responsible to drive adoption. When I saw that I could get my Premium 2020 for 22k before T&L, that was a simple decision. Great car with great features and competitive with Honda Civic , Mazda 3 etc. and I’m saving $150 a month in fuel. Yea, the interior is cheap but the tech made up for it in my mind.
What's wild is that by all metrics, this IS a hot hatch. 0-60 is about the same as a new GTI and the handling (at A-) can likely be improved with the same suspension mods applied to hot hatches (braces, coilovers, etc). While this may not be the mission for a car like this, I find it odd that no one is acknowledging that this is technically a hot hatch. I need someone to mod one and track it.
Thank you for the comment about comparing every ev to a Tesla. Too many TH-cam reviewers do it also. I don’t think the ID4 should be compared to a model Y. Nobody compares a CRV to a Q5RS. Anyway thanks for pointing that out.
Nice review. I had a 2019 Bolt and loved it. It got the job done and was a reliable commuter. Sold it about two weeks ago after it had a seizure while charging in my garage and Chevy service told me to charge it outside. I hope they fix these recall issues and no one gets hurt.
I drive the Bolt. I have been driving a Bolt for four years now and I really like it for what it is: a subcompact hatchback. It's small and nimble and perfect for driving around Los Angeles with. At some point in time we need to stop comparing EVs by range and price but, start talking about them for what segment they are in. The Bolt should be compared to a Ford Fiesta ST, the Tesla Model 3 should be compared to BMW 3 series, Ford F150 lightning to... the Ford F150.
Its a good thing that GM has recalled all Bolts including the 2022 cars. I bet these cars will be triple checked with entirely new batteries that are safer.. But there is still no guarantee that any EV or gas car won't exploded into flames.
@@santiagohills3997 you can’t get one gm stoped dealers from selling them . I checked my dealers websites and they have been taken off until the battery replacement
I was just having a conversation about this with some people the other day. I got a Model 3 and a lady with a Bolt made the comment "well, it's no Tesla" and I just sat there with a blank stare on my face thinking "....and?" Recall aside, that doesn't make the Bolt a bad car.
LOL, that sounds eerily similiar to circa 2009 and the early iPhone vs Blackberry vs Android days. Branding matters a crap load in this world, for better or worse.
I'm late in commenting on this video. It was instrumental in helping me decide to buy a 2022 Bolt EV 1LT with the Driver Confidence Package. I was looking for an inexpensive EV and was interested in the Bolt, Niro, and Kona. When Chevy dropped the price on the 2023 Bolt and offered the same price on the 2022 models, I jumped in. I've had the Bolt for 4 months and have had no issues with any aspect of the car. I actually only charge it at 8 amps at home to easily replenish my daily driving usage. There are both ChargePoint and Electrify America charging stations within a few minutes of home, so I can get a quick partial boost charge if returning from a long trip. I also only anticipate taking longer road trips needing just 1 or 2 charge stops to get to my destinations. The Bolt EV has met my driving needs perfectly and was a very affordable car that happens to be an EV. I traded my very well maintained 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid in on the Bolt. There were no markups on the Bolt and I got a good trade-in value for the CR-Z. Again, thank you for making this video, Alex. I'm loving my Bolt.
I have a Bolt 2021 and I love it. It doesn’t attract attention like to Teslas and it only cost me $28,000 where is a Tesla would’ve cost me a minimum of $40,000.
I own a 21 Bolt and loved this car and drive 80 to 100 miles a day. The recall has us all really shook 😳 up. If you have any idea about our future would be great.
this is a major major issue, the potential of fire, the limitation of use, the required replacement of the whole battery pack for all years of the bolt...lg chem.
Agreed, a statement by Alex would serve to reach out to a large portion of the automotive industry, as he commands that much respect. I think this is a really big deal, and not just for GM. I hate to think this could be a mega setback for EV industry, but I fear it might be. It may also end up being a good thing in the long run, though, as it might serve to get the battery industry going in the right (i.e., safe and more efficient) direction before the huge ramp-up in the coming decades for an industry-wide all-EV push.
@@FARFolomew re: "It may also end up being a good thing in the long run, though, as it might serve to get the battery industry going in the right (i.e., safe and more efficient) direction before the huge ramp-up" like the wise men say, "every cloud has a Silver Lining". with the addition of Teslas on AutoPilot slamming into the back of Emergency Vehicles, this REALITY CHECK putting the brakes (pun intended) on our "greed and rapaciousness", may just be what the Doctor ordered.
@@FARFolomew It won't be much of a set back because 98% of the USA population can care less about these GM Bolt fires because these people aren't interested in EVs anyway.. Its in GM's favor that no one was killed in these fires and only 10 cars are known to have caught fire. They need to clean this up fast and get moving again with a different battery.. Now once that happens and if these Bolts continue to catch fire, well, that will be the end of the Bolt and people will think twice about buying an EV from GM.. I agree going forward all other brands will be making sure their batteries are safe.
Don’t think this is a big deal for Bolt customers. They get a brand new battery pack. And yes, the general public really will not want a ev any way. Been a ev driver since 2012, and I just believe they will always be a niche player. I believe hybrids will rule one day with phev more popular then pure bev.
I bought a 2021 Chevy bolt in October 2021 when Chevy was giving a $12,000 rebate. I just love this car, can’t say enough about how much fun it is to drive. I’m getting almost 300 miles driving around town. It’s costing me about $.12 a mile to drive it. Great video I really like your style you explain everything very well. Thank you
I really like the new redesign on the Bolt, for sur, and 259 miles is perfectly fine for range. My Model Y is only 280. I hope they figure out the battery issues soon, we need more low cost EVs!
Alex this is a really professional and pragmatic review of the Bolt with some excellent commentary for the Tesla fanboys. We run two EV's a Mini SE and an Id.3 and run 1500 miles a month with all charging at home. The EV life works for us!
This is a Great Bolt review! I just checked and today the least expensive Tesla 3 will cost you $48,440! I'm waiting for my brand new 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV Premium to arrive at my Dealers to do a retail to retail Sticker Swap. YES, my second Bolt, I love my current 2020! Thanks to Chevy for the $1,675 difference in their retail price. I will advance two years to a Loaded (every option say for SC), Bigger, Bolt! The 2021 $5000 Bolt Price Cut... paid considerable dividends to many of us Bolt Swappers!! The process has been, at times, painful! But considering GM is dealing with 143,000 separate deals, perhaps really not all that bad?? In the end, this issue is paying off in spades for most of us Bolt owners!! And that in a word is... FAIR! With Bolt production ramping back up perhaps it is time to do this again but for the EUV??? You might want to also point out that given GM's 13 (some say 17) burnt up Bolts they have gone a very long way to making things right for their customers. Another "No Shit Sherlock" moment is that we all know there's been a hell of a lot more than 17 Teslas go up in smoke than Bolts!!!
We have a 2020 Bolt. Love it... Even with the recall we won't give it up. It cost us $0.02 per mile to drive. Plus it IS FAST, faster than most ICE cars. We just love it. We'll never buy a ICE car again. Also we don't give a $hit about global warming or whatever BS the media wants to call it today. Bought a Bolt because it makes $ & cents.
Agreed! I love what Tesla has done for the popularity of EV's but I hate how everything automatically compared to the Tesla Models. We need variety and practicality discussions with EV's for the segment(s) to grow.
This is true 2 years ago but sadly not today. After 3 Volt’s I was looking forward to getting into a Bolt EUV. The Dealers within 100 miles had a handful and some were charging 3 to 4k over MSRP ! We’re talking 38k for a Premium ! Decided to go somewhere I never thought I would… Tesla. Test drove a Model 3. As you said Alex there is no comparison on ANY level. Tesla has dropped there prices and the Model 3 was 1-2k less than the Bolt ! Sad but true…
Thank you! I can't stand auto journalists who want to compare the range on EV's as if they were all created equal or for even remotely the same purpose when you're looking across the spectrum. I REALLY want this one to succeed so hopefully Chevy's quality won't be an issue.
Thank you Alex. Thank you so very much. I am contemplating buying an EUV to meet our needs. I will miss our Model 3, and giving up the Supercharging network will be hard, but my Model 3 has been extremely problematic, fun, but 28 service visits in just 3 years of ownership is insane. Our 2017 Chevrolet Volt is flawlessly running since day 1, and with 390kms of range, the EUV is more than fine for us.
That's a lot of service visits. I cant understand why owners accept such crap. Tesla should focus on software supply for other makers and charging infrastructure. They're excelling in those 2.
I have a '23 Bolt ev on order. It'll be my commuter car, so the slower dcfc speed doesn't bother me; also, if the slower charge speed makes the battery last longer, I'm good with that. A liquid-cooled battery was mandatory for me, so the leaf was out, and the Bolt to me is the best charge-for-the-buck ev.
I wish I could upvote this video more than once because I'm sick of the Tesla pandering by automotive journalists who never factor in costs to any of their reviews. Chevy should be commended for bringing out this legitimately cheap EV for regular people. It seems to hit the sweet spot between size, cost and range. I am eagerly awaiting to see what the slightly larger and only slightly more expensive version of this Bolt (EUV) can do with super cruise.
The Chevy Bolt sells for $31,995 lowest base trim on Chevy's website not sure where you get under $30,000. The Tesla Model 3 is $35,000 base (needs to be purchased in person at Tesla). For $3k more I'd rather have a Tesla. Supercharger network, better handling, better infotainment, more interior space, nicer looking car overall. Unless Chevy starts selling Bolts for under $25,000 I don't understand why someone would buy a Bolt over a Model 3, unless you buy a used Bolt which can be a bargain, makes sense at that point.
6.3 seconds? In the 80's camaros and mustangs used to do that in 7 seconds, corvettes in 6, porsche 911s in 5. Today that night not seem impressive, but to me 6.3 is pretty quick for practical driving
Alex, If I read carefully between the lines and follow your subtle inferences, I think you might just be suggesting that you cannot compare a Bolt with a Tesla. What about a Taycan? ;-)
And make sure that your Tesla autopilot is turned off so you won't crash into an emergency vehicle and burst into flames that firemen can't even put it out then dragged into an investigation.
Front drive ev's are actually better at some things. They can run much higher regen and get back more power, rear drive ev's can't run a lot of regen or it would just cause the tires to skid or slip. The front wheels do about 70-80% of the braking. But being not a tesla is same reason why we bought a Kia Niro hybrid, it's not a prius. Most people think hybrid means prius, ugly but aerodynamic body, cvt...
l love my 2017 bolt LT... and i just bought it a 1/2 a year ago. its almost a 0-60 6 second car... and the amount of money its saving me is AMAZING! Plus if i need parts for it... i can look them up with ease and order them direct from Chevy... UNLIKE TESLA.... not to mention it didnt cost an arm an leg for this car. Sure bolts have the battery recall, but that will be fixed.
People freak out all the time over the no spare tire thing but the truth is even modern cars and modern hybrids haven't had spare tires in over a decade my 2019 hybrid itself has an air pump instead of a spare tire
@@alejandrodelavega1063 No. and mfg of it has been halted. Suffice to say, much more news to follow in the coming weeks. If you own a Bolt, don't hold your breath on getting a replacement pack anytime soon.
I owned one of the first 2017 Bolts, drove it for just over three years and put 27,500 miles on it. Loved everything but the stupid shifter and the head-gashing corners on the hatch. Was holding out for the 2022, when the battery problem hit the forums. I never had a problem, but decided to sell it back to GM, which I did, at a very lucrative price. I now drive a Tesla Model 3 and, as far as I’m concerned, the only real advantage over the Bolt is Tesla’s charging network…and the envious looks.
Education and debunking FUD is the biggest thing standing in the way of everyday consumers shopping for EVs like the Bolt. Well and apply chain constraints, but that goes for many vehicles right now, not just EVs.
As soon as I found out my job offered free charging, I bought a used 2017, and the free charging negated the small car payment (because of not needing gas). I was just not willing to pay the big bucks for a Tesla and then not be able to get any parts for it. I'll be getting a new battery pack so it will be like having a new vehicle, and I love the thing...
I've watched a bunch of videos on the Bolt EUV and this is the best of the bunch - very informative, with information I just didn't see elsewhere. We just ordered a 2023 EUV, as we wanted an affordable, practical everyday ev, not a $70K+ supercar that so many manufacturers are offering / pushing. Thanks for the great video!
And not everyone cares about all the fancy crap in Teslas. Its more of a name and image. The Bolt EUV interior looks better than that plain Tesla interior
My new bolt premier was 24.7k Great choice - costs 2 pennies per mile to drive This can’t be your only car - due to charging unless you charge it everyday with heavy driving
I recently purchase a 2014 BMW i3 w/REX for a little under $16,000 after TTNL. I was also looking at 2017 Chevy Bolts because they were selling in the same ballpark. Both would have served the same purpose. I wanted a small electric hatchback that I could afford and the fact that good used ev's under $20,000 are a thing now is really awesome!
My brothers family has a BMW i3 / rex. When the lease on the 2017 was up, they got a 2021 and more range of about 140 miles, not Tesla range. In my area where I live, Tesla's are everywhere. A relative of our who lives in Portland, Oregon got a Tesla Model Y with All wheel drive, the self driving software for 10k, etc. Cost $65,000 and drove to Kings Canyon Nation Park where we have a family cabin inside park in a private community there. They had to stop 4 times for charging and replaces VW Tourig TDI that had 600 miles range and only 2 stops for fuel. My brothers wifes one brother got a Model Y, base model they sold without all the extras for very cheap, but no longer sell that model. My brother won't buy a Tesla.
Prior to retirement, this would have been a great commuter. I lived in Half Moon Bay and commuted to South San Francisco (25 miles each way). We worked with our management to install lots of Level 2 chargers.
I have had my 2020 Bolt for six months now. When I got it, I was looking for something very inexpensive to own and operate. I couldn’t be happier. Hopefully they get this recall thing sorted out soon.
Excellent review. The Bolt is the best compact EV, and also has the largest CarPlay display of any car. There is only one problem: you can’t buy the Bolt EV anymore because of the LG battery fire recall. It will take a long time before GM had designed and shipped new batteries.
It's a shame that all Bolt EV and EUVs are currently recalled for battery fire risk. I picked up a 2022 EUV 1LT a month ago and really like it. Although the risk of fire is very low, the imposed battery limits from the recall mean I can only drive 150 miles between charges, I have to park it outside of my garage, and can only charge during the day. I still haven't decided whether I will pursue lemon law or just try to wait it out. I also have a 2019 Model 3 Long Range (RWD). If I could only have a single car, I would choose the Tesla solely based on the better charging infrastructure. But for a lot of people, an EV would be a 2nd car - and the Bolt is definitely the better value in this case. Also the paint quality and fit and finish are noticeably better on the Bolt.
Wow I’m getting one of the last Bolts made in a few weeks and it’s a great value now with the 2LT package and adaptive cruise I specced for just $31,900 minus the $7500 federal tax credit. The car will be a great partner with my recent solar installation and I can’t wait to get it! One problem is that I live in NW Wisconsin do the range won’t be as good when it’s real cold but I figure for 9 months a year it should be good.
I don't trust GM after their complete failure to deal with the battery fire issues over the past few months. Even if most bolts won't catch on fire, it speaks to how little they would care about future problems with the car.
We got one as a 2nd car - our main car is a Sportage Hybrid - and I really love it. It's very nice for local driving because it's very quick and extraordinarily easy to park being so small and having all the cameras. They are not easy to find and I was lucky enough to find a 22 that had the battery replaced - and I got the free level 2 charger install as well. The EUV's real leg room is nice but I couldn't find one that wasn't loaded and tbh the leather seats and heated wheel / seats were really my main priorities. If only the better speakers weren't optional, mine doesn't have them and there just isn't enough inventory to be picky. But it's a great little car and with better tires would probably handle really well.
I was seriously thinking of purchasing a 2022 Bolt until the battery/vehicle recall. For now, and possibly forever, it's off my shopping list, and that's a shame because the Bolt is a great EV for the price.
With the recently announced price cut on the 2023MY Chevy Bolt EV and EUV, this is now $6000 cheaper, now I am cross shopping this PHEVs since this is now cheaper than PHEV and has a descent feature content compared to the Japanese entrants in the segment.
I'm definitely not cross shopping any EV with a gas car. I know EVs are the future so I am looking all the available options to see which one is the best overall
Thank you for saying it. It's not trying to be a Tesla. I don't want a Tesla, or an EV6, maybe a Kona. After the recall stuff is done, I plan on buying one. Even if that takes time. I have no interest in anything larger than a Bolt EV (not the EUV).
Thank you for bringing some common sense to the EV conversation. I'm sick of people thinking that an EV needs to be all wheel drive, self driving, have a luxury car interior, and a negative zero to sixty time to be worthy of driving oneself 16 miles to work at an average speed below 55mph.
We're never going to come close to full EV adoption until there's more Bolt type EVs available.
re: "I'm sick of people thinking that an EV needs to be all wheel drive, self driving, have a luxury car interior, and a negative zero to sixty time" more specifically what you're sick of is our "normalized" GREEDY and RAPEY orientation towards the world (unfortunately you won't get many to admit this). re: "We're never going to come close to full EV adoption until there's more Bolt type EVs available." yup, as additionally demonstrated by our attitudes toward a Global Pandemic, Masking, and Vaccines we're SUPER DUMB and contradictory in our behavior (no our EGOS won't allow us to admit this either).
I just don't see people buying these cars like they do the Corollas, Camrys, Civics, Accords and Rav-4s.
There is still the crowds that like to modify cars, I don't see these people buying EVs. No manual transmission option either..
EVs will continue to just be an option and not the norm..
They need to build electric charging centers so hundreds of people can charge at the same time, four big centers in a city like Los Angeles roughly 10 miles apart would be great for those that live in apartments and can not charge at home.
Many put weird criteria on EVs like everyone should only buy Tesla's, but adults need cars too. Bolt is practical & fun, not everyone can or wants to spend Tesla price.
Agreed. We recently decided on an Ioniq 5 but the bolt was our second choice only due to size since we wanted the extra room (3 kids) and AWD (heavy snow 3 months out of the year and hills everywhere)
@@spoutingfiction Odly enough the leg room for rear seats is larger in Chevrolet Bolt EUV than in Hyundai Ioniq 5. So I would think that feature is the most important kids not to fight in the back seats.
LMAO Alex cursing was gold, don't think I have ever heard him curse before. 😂
Me neither, might be a first!
As much as I enjoyed it, I think I'd like Alex to maintain his Jack Webb-ish "just-the-facts-maam" persona.
Uh, he's used "bat-sh*t crazy" in many of his reviews of high-performance vehicles.
I was yawning when I first clicked on the video until I heard him cuss 🤣
Does his mom know about this? Someone's about to have some ivory and dove.
30 seconds in and "No shit Sherlock" is the last thing I expected from Alex. LOLOL
Guess he had enough of all the “it’s not a Tesla” BS. 😆
I love alex reply to the Tesla garbage. I told people that when the bolt came out and then the next year was compared to the model 3 and it is not comparable I love Alex he is the best . Great start to the video
My jaw dropped I heard him say that. 😂
Loved it. Sometimes it's exactly what we need to hear.
Yeah he has that act proper, good boy demeanor which makes "no shit Sherlock" even more funny and surprising.
I agree with you Alex, affordable EVs are more important than the fancy or speedy ones.
I am glad that reviewers are starting to make that point. Doug Demuro said something similar in his review of the Bolt EUV. He didn't say no shit sherlock though haha.
I agree. It's nice that reviewers are showcasing this car.
It's all the $100K+ EV cars getting the limelight that nobody can afford.
Right. But I’m going to wait and see what Toyota’s future offering in the affordable EV segment. I’m not keen on domestic automakers
@TheGoat I respect them for it. Now theyre just waiting for the US to catch up.
Bolts exist to sell silverados
As a Bolt and a Model 3 owner, THANK YOU for making the seemingly obvious (but clearly not obvious) statement that the Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3/Y are not the same thing. My fully loaded 2019 Bolt Premier cost $20k less new than my Model 3 LR. My Bolt goes all the same places as my Model 3 and can get there just as quickly and easily as the Model 3 as long as it is less than about 200 miles. It should be noted that a standard range Model 3 (the only Tesla that is even remotely close to a Bolt in real world price) will only go about as far on a single charge as the Bolt. Yes, the Tesla charges substantially faster than the Bolt when using a fast charger (it charges just as quickly when charging at home, which is what I do 95% of the time), and I’ve shown on my channel that my long range Tesla can do a 500 mile freeway trip over an hour faster than the Bolt (my Bolt has a smaller and slower charging battery than the current Bolts), but how often do we really need to drive further than 200 miles in 1 sitting? The Bolt can still do it, but it takes longer.
I spent about an hour with a Bolt EUV and honestly I was really impressed with it. The old Bolt interior has always felt cheap. The updated interior feels more in line with a vehicle of its price. It’s still not premium, but much better. I would say that based off the experience I’ve had with various Teslas (including a Model S), the build QUALITY of the new Bolt EV and EUV is actually better than Tesla. The material quality is not as good as the full premium interior of the Tesla, but the build quality is better. For instance, less interior noise, less rattles and squeaks, better panel fitment in the Bolt than the Tesla.
On the note of efficiency, the Bolt and the Model 3 are nearly equal when cruising at “slower” highway speeds of around 65-70mph. I get about 4mi/kwh (or about 250wh/mi in Tesla world) in the Bolt during my daily 70 miles commute at 65mph, the Tesla gets about 4.2 mi/kwh or about 230wh/mi. But, at higher speeds, like 75+, the Tesla retains a bit more efficiency than the Bolt because it is a sedan vs a small hatchback. It’s just a more aerodynamic shape, even if it is less practical. That said, the Model 3 with a heat pump is a lot more efficient during cold weather due to its ability to take heat from the battery and motors for the HVAC system, especially if you preheat the vehicle before disconnecting from a charger. The Bolt uses an inefficient (by comparison) interior heater and it does have a big impact on efficiency.
I still think however that if the prices are nearly the same as a Tesla, as they can be with higher optioned Bolts (especially the EUV), and you don’t plan to keep the vehicle beyond the warranty period, it would be best to go with a Tesla. The model 3 has more passenger room and it is better for long trips. The Model Y had similar benefits of the Model 3 but adds more cargo room and a high stance, at the cost of efficiency (and purchase price). But, there are still big questions about long term reliability and cost/ease of repairs in any Tesla. They use a lot of modular components that are expensive to buy and difficult to get. Tesla service centers are often only in major metro areas (mine is about 40 miles away from me, and I live in a CARB emissions state on the west coast) and frequently overbooked (usually at least 2 week wait to get an appointment). I’ve only had to make a couple service appointments for my Bolt (1 for a recall, 1 for a free annual service) but scheduling is easy and can usually be done within the same week. There are at least 5 Bolt certified service departments within the same 40 mile radius, plus Chevy makes service info and parts readily available to independent shops, so any other shop that works on EVs could easily work on it too.
I’ve made several 220+ mile highway trips in my 2020 Bolt LT, on a single charge.
Thank you for writing about your experiences with these electric cars.
I went with BMW because I prefer excellent build quality and good engineering over range as I don't drive outside the city I live in and rarely use a public charger.
I chose the Bolt over the Tesla mostly because of price. But I also didnt want to be forced into being a brand ambassador for Tesla. Not interested. Nor am I am Elon fanboy.
Chevy makes real cars with real engineering for real people. Plus, I drive the Bolt like a complete asshole - it’s invisible and never noticed. I like that.
An interesting and valuable perspective. And it makes me feel less guilty about my long-winded comment. 😁
The problem with this is the Bolt isn't as good as a Tesla in very important ways that matter. Someone buying a $30k Bolt over a $40k Tesla will regret it 5-10 years later when they sell and the Tesla cost less to own and provided a much better experience while owning it. It's like recommending a double wide trailer when houses are a thing. You only buy the double wide if you have no choice. Not saying Tesla's are an appreciating asset, just that they hold their value way better than a Bolt.
The battery recall kind of took the wind out of the sails of the Bolt. I bought a Bolt EUV 2 weeks before it was included in the recall. I had a 2017 Bolt before that. I love the car. Drives great. Way more space than you'd think. I like the look of the EUV and interior looks and feels great too.
Hopefully they get the battery issue figured out.
Yea, at least us older Bolt owners (I have an '18) get something for the inconvenience- more range and a reset of the warranty. I would be very unhappy (right now I'm just unhappy), if I had just bought a new one to have it recalled a day after I drove it off the lot.
I think GM is forcing LG Chem to replace all Bolt battery packs aren't they?
@@erichaynes7502 in the end, GM is where the buck stops. I expect it will be a shared cost. Either way new batteey modules that are made without the defects.
2020 owner here. I liked my bolt very much but I’m done. Done with Chevy. Can’t charge past 90% and can’t go lower than 70miles?. How much range exactly did I lose? Lol. If all was good it was a heck of a little car but I should’ve known better to buy an EV from an automaker that does it as a side hobby.
Meanwhile the Bolt just set early sales records.
Tesla Model 3 owner - I test drove the Bolt EUV and it's a fine car; Yes it's going through a recall to fix a critical safety problem, but given its price, range and build quality there's nothing wrong with it. Plus I'm kind of envious about some of the real buttons.
I knew not all Tesla owners were fanboys, thank you!
Good point. As if Tesla didn't have to do safety fixes and recalls. They had fires too.
As a former Tesla owner, I definitely look forward to some real buttons in my next EV ! (Ionic 5 or Blazer)
LOL I'm obsessed with the first 30 seconds of this video 😂 Finally someone that understand us Bolt drivers
I own one of these cars. Good little car. I've had a bolt now for four years. Fortunately, it's it's not my only car. I'm never too concerned about its fast charging speed seeing as half the fast chargers I pull up to are out of service. Unless you have a Tesla, I don't think people realize how bad public charging is. Hardly any chargers, massively slow compared to a gas fill up, and a ton of the chargers never work.
I think public infrastructure varies widely by region. Where I live in Northern CA, infrastructure is amazingly good.
I also have a 17 bolt . I’ve taken many long distance trips .I just plan my meal breaks while I’m charging , so it doesn’t seem as long. My longest has been 1965 miles rd trip
That was something I am worried about. I believe that charging stations will get better, but I know it's not as great as I would like it to be right now in terms of availability and charging times. So that is why I got a 21 Corolla Hybrid. 10,000 miles in and only spent $693.43 in gasoline here in California. Not bad.
@@TheLongLouis Yeah it's not a dealer breaker, but I filling up with gas when you need to drive a fair amount is infinitely easier. Not to mention there is a gas station at every corner. I sort of want to get a Rav 4 Prime once my Bolt lease is up!
@@TheLongLouis most EVs charge at home so public infrastructure is a minor issue unless you take long trips routinely.
Thank you for not comparing the Bolt to a Tesla. There's nothing more frustrating than seeing Tesla used as a measuring stick for every EV regardless of price.
i mean.....other than price, it is the benchmark.
I'm on my second Bolt. Really good car, well made, solid and great range. I'm glad you brought up the battery vehicle weight issue. At 66 kWh my Bolt is perfect for my home with PV charging systems. It's not a perfect car but it sure is hard to beat. I can afford a more expensive car but I'm not sure I want one. When you consider this car has been out 6 years and it's still holding its own that's pretty darn good!
The nissan altima of evs currently.
I had a 2018 Bolt from Nov 2018 to June 2022. It went through the battery recall without any drawbacks. Then a few short weeks later I was rear-ended and the result was a totalled Bolt. In mid 2022 I could not find any new Bolts that were available because of the battery recall. Then in late August the dealer who sold me the first one called and said they had a 2022 Bolt for me to look at. I bought it that day. No regrets. Something in the software needed to be adjusted because it would throw an "emisssions' code even though EVs have no emissions. The dealer fixed it in less than a 1/2 hour and now all is well. Love my Bolt.
"No shit Sherlock" 🥰 loving the snark and sass from Alex today. We stan.
Right?! Loved that bit. He had me LMAO! 😂🤣
Favorite notable line of any recent car review I've watched. Lol. What he said is true, too, and is something that absolutely needed to be said.
I’d give the same reply when people bash the single motor ID.4 against Model Y.
‘Captain Obvious’ would agree.
I guess I am an exception. I got his point and actually agree with it in the abstract, but I felt it was inappropriate.
just bought the 2023 2LT Bolt EV. I love it. with the Tax credit I calculated I got this for 25K.
Did you test drive the EUV? I'm looking at the EV 2LT.
Hey Alex, we agree ;)
And YET, he STILL compares the Bolt with Model 3/Y, and Mach E. WHY? He should compare to other cars that are more comparable to it.....Just sayin.
@@1flash3571 but what cars in the US? He did compare it to the Niro EV.
Right on ! We have '17 and '18 Bolts. Great cars ! No problems. And we just got brand new batteries for free, extending their life by another 8 years. Couldn't ask for more....
Yeah, tired of Tesla comparisons. They should also ask “it’s not as unreliable as a Tesla, it’s not as poorly assembled as a Tesla, it’s not as buggy as a Tesla”.
The 2023 Chevy Bolt I have handles very precisely. The short hood makes turns seem very tight. This is our only vehicle. A big step up from an ICE Honda Fit.
While I know its only a minor difference from this I would still love to see a review on the Bolt EUV if you get the opportunity. Thanks Alex!
Charging is only important if you use it for more than a daily driver. I travel 58 miles per day so don't have charging worries.
Thank you so much for stressing the reality check about the flood of overpowered, overpriced supercar-performing EVs vs. something for regular people with working-class jobs. I do love the bonkers performance of the former(s), but you're absolutely right in how the auto press gloms everything to an $80k Tesla, even when they say they don't. It seems like it's always in their head, like they just can't shake it, and simply CANNOT grasp that 0-60mph performance in the low six second range is freakin' awesome for an everyday, practical hatchback.
I own a Bolt and I find traveling not to be a problem. Yes, a faster DCFC rate would be nice but the current rate is not a deal breaker. You are forgetting the greater efficiency of the vehicle means you get get more miles per minute of DCFC.
Not a word about the massive recall of bolts
I blew away an Audi A5 Sportback today with my 2021 Bolt. The Bolt is the fastest car I've ever owned.
2020 Bolt owner here. Super bummed about the recall. I paid 24k out the door for mine 6 months ago and for the money it is a fantastic car! If I paid 40k I’d have a different sentiment. I’ve rented a model y for a week and yes, the Y is nicer, faster etc, but the Bolt delivers 85% of the driving experience for 1/2 the cost (at least to me). Now the battery recall, GM has to get that right, otherwise EV adoption for everyone is going to slow down. And for the record, Tesla hasn’t been fire free either.
You are lucky. I paid $30k for my 2020 bolt. I still love it and am trying to figure out towing my 2000 lbs trailer.
I don’t view GM as responsible for mass EV adoption. Many other OEMs are stepping up with new EVs. I do not like GM’s wishy washy stance on EVs in the past. Bolt is a good EV but it’s price needs to drop to ~$22,000 MSRP to be more influential in the market.
@@barryw9473 fair point. GM isn’t responsible to drive adoption. When I saw that I could get my Premium 2020 for 22k before T&L, that was a simple decision. Great car with great features and competitive with Honda Civic , Mazda 3 etc. and I’m saving $150 a month in fuel. Yea, the interior is cheap but the tech made up for it in my mind.
What's wild is that by all metrics, this IS a hot hatch. 0-60 is about the same as a new GTI and the handling (at A-) can likely be improved with the same suspension mods applied to hot hatches (braces, coilovers, etc). While this may not be the mission for a car like this, I find it odd that no one is acknowledging that this is technically a hot hatch. I need someone to mod one and track it.
Thank you for the comment about comparing every ev to a Tesla. Too many TH-cam reviewers do it also. I don’t think the ID4 should be compared to a model Y. Nobody compares a CRV to a Q5RS. Anyway thanks for pointing that out.
I’ve had 2 T’s (3 & Y). And that’s exactly why I want a Bolt EUV
Nice review. I had a 2019 Bolt and loved it. It got the job done and was a reliable commuter. Sold it about two weeks ago after it had a seizure while charging in my garage and Chevy service told me to charge it outside. I hope they fix these recall issues and no one gets hurt.
Yikes! Can I ask what you mean by seizure?
@@doomsday9973 it started shaking and beeping. I could hear it from upstairs. Reminded me of a scene from the Herbie movies.
@@travisthornton1792 wow that's crazy! Did chevy figure out the problem?
Clear case of automotive possession, refer to the documentary series - my mother the car.
I drive the Bolt. I have been driving a Bolt for four years now and I really like it for what it is: a subcompact hatchback. It's small and nimble and perfect for driving around Los Angeles with. At some point in time we need to stop comparing EVs by range and price but, start talking about them for what segment they are in. The Bolt should be compared to a Ford Fiesta ST, the Tesla Model 3 should be compared to BMW 3 series, Ford F150 lightning to... the Ford F150.
This here
Interesting that he released this with GM recalling ALL Bolts for battery fire issues. I really want one though.... XD
Hopefully they'll figure that out soon..
Its a good thing that GM has recalled all Bolts including the 2022 cars. I bet these cars will be triple checked with entirely new batteries that are safer.. But there is still no guarantee that any EV or gas car won't exploded into flames.
Love Love Love our 2020 Bolt. So we what a half a dozen have had issues. ICE cars burn all the time.. The press doesn't car bat shit crazy over those.
@@santiagohills3997 GM has issued a do not sell order. Dealers cannot sell, you may find one privately.
@@santiagohills3997 you can’t get one gm stoped dealers from selling them . I checked my dealers websites and they have been taken off until the battery replacement
Far and away one of the best review videos I have seen. Cross comparisons to other cars gives context to otherwise meaningless numbers.
I was just having a conversation about this with some people the other day. I got a Model 3 and a lady with a Bolt made the comment "well, it's no Tesla" and I just sat there with a blank stare on my face thinking "....and?"
Recall aside, that doesn't make the Bolt a bad car.
LOL, that sounds eerily similiar to circa 2009 and the early iPhone vs Blackberry vs Android days. Branding matters a crap load in this world, for better or worse.
I'm late in commenting on this video. It was instrumental in helping me decide to buy a 2022 Bolt EV 1LT with the Driver Confidence Package. I was looking for an inexpensive EV and was interested in the Bolt, Niro, and Kona. When Chevy dropped the price on the 2023 Bolt and offered the same price on the 2022 models, I jumped in. I've had the Bolt for 4 months and have had no issues with any aspect of the car. I actually only charge it at 8 amps at home to easily replenish my daily driving usage. There are both ChargePoint and Electrify America charging stations within a few minutes of home, so I can get a quick partial boost charge if returning from a long trip. I also only anticipate taking longer road trips needing just 1 or 2 charge stops to get to my destinations. The Bolt EV has met my driving needs perfectly and was a very affordable car that happens to be an EV. I traded my very well maintained 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid in on the Bolt. There were no markups on the Bolt and I got a good trade-in value for the CR-Z. Again, thank you for making this video, Alex. I'm loving my Bolt.
I fell a little more in love with this channel in the first 60 seconds.
I have a Bolt 2021 and I love it. It doesn’t attract attention like to Teslas and it only cost me $28,000 where is a Tesla would’ve cost me a minimum of $40,000.
I own a 21 Bolt and loved this car and drive 80 to 100 miles a day. The recall has us all really shook 😳 up. If you have any idea about our future would be great.
this is a major major issue, the potential of fire, the limitation of use, the required replacement of the whole battery pack for all years of the bolt...lg chem.
Agreed, a statement by Alex would serve to reach out to a large portion of the automotive industry, as he commands that much respect.
I think this is a really big deal, and not just for GM. I hate to think this could be a mega setback for EV industry, but I fear it might be. It may also end up being a good thing in the long run, though, as it might serve to get the battery industry going in the right (i.e., safe and more efficient) direction before the huge ramp-up in the coming decades for an industry-wide all-EV push.
@@FARFolomew re: "It may also end up being a good thing in the long run, though, as it might serve to get the battery industry going in the right (i.e., safe and more efficient) direction before the huge ramp-up" like the wise men say, "every cloud has a Silver Lining". with the addition of Teslas on AutoPilot slamming into the back of Emergency Vehicles, this REALITY CHECK putting the brakes (pun intended) on our "greed and rapaciousness", may just be what the Doctor ordered.
@@FARFolomew
It won't be much of a set back because 98% of the USA population can care less about these GM Bolt fires because these people aren't interested in EVs anyway..
Its in GM's favor that no one was killed in these fires and only 10 cars are known to have caught fire.
They need to clean this up fast and get moving again with a different battery.. Now once that happens and if these Bolts continue to catch fire, well, that will be the end of the Bolt and people will think twice about buying an EV from GM..
I agree going forward all other brands will be making sure their batteries are safe.
Don’t think this is a big deal for Bolt customers. They get a brand new battery pack. And yes, the general public really will not want a ev any way. Been a ev driver since 2012, and I just believe they will always be a niche player. I believe hybrids will rule one day with phev more popular then pure bev.
I bought a 2021 Chevy bolt in October 2021 when Chevy was giving a $12,000 rebate. I just love this car, can’t say enough about how much fun it is to drive. I’m getting almost 300 miles driving around town. It’s costing me about $.12 a mile to drive it. Great video I really like your style you explain everything very well. Thank you
I really like the new redesign on the Bolt, for sur, and 259 miles is perfectly fine for range. My Model Y is only 280. I hope they figure out the battery issues soon, we need more low cost EVs!
This ^
We love our EUV bolt!!! I laugh everytime i think about people spending $5000 extra to get a red Tesla!!
Alex this is a really professional and pragmatic review of the Bolt with some excellent commentary for the Tesla fanboys. We run two EV's a Mini SE and an Id.3 and run 1500 miles a month with all charging at home. The EV life works for us!
This is a Great Bolt review! I just checked and today the least expensive Tesla 3 will cost you $48,440! I'm waiting for my brand new 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV Premium to arrive at my Dealers to do a retail to retail Sticker Swap. YES, my second Bolt, I love my current 2020! Thanks to Chevy for the $1,675 difference in their retail price. I will advance two years to a Loaded (every option say for SC), Bigger, Bolt! The 2021 $5000 Bolt Price Cut... paid considerable dividends to many of us Bolt Swappers!! The process has been, at times, painful! But considering GM is dealing with 143,000 separate deals, perhaps really not all that bad?? In the end, this issue is paying off in spades for most of us Bolt owners!! And that in a word is... FAIR! With Bolt production ramping back up perhaps it is time to do this again but for the EUV??? You might want to also point out that given GM's 13 (some say 17) burnt up Bolts they have gone a very long way to making things right for their customers. Another "No Shit Sherlock" moment is that we all know there's been a hell of a lot more than 17 Teslas go up in smoke than Bolts!!!
Hyundai
Kia
Even Toyota are better choices
Chevy volt probably works for most urban drivers.
*Bolt
@@jasonhillgiant Nope, he meant Volt, the PHEV Chevy that is now discontinued.
I just picked up a 2018 Volt LT. Great car. Screw range anxiety!
We have a 2020 Bolt. Love it... Even with the recall we won't give it up. It cost us $0.02 per mile to drive. Plus it IS FAST, faster than most ICE cars. We just love it. We'll never buy a ICE car again. Also we don't give a $hit about global warming or whatever BS the media wants to call it today. Bought a Bolt because it makes $ & cents.
Agreed! I love what Tesla has done for the popularity of EV's but I hate how everything automatically compared to the Tesla Models. We need variety and practicality discussions with EV's for the segment(s) to grow.
Just bought the bolt euv lt2 2023 with 6000k miles as used for $ 22000k.
NSS. That was awesome. Thanks for your honesty as always, Alex. Why would any manufacturer make robin egg blue??
To attract robins?
This is true 2 years ago but sadly not today. After 3 Volt’s I was looking forward to getting into a Bolt EUV. The Dealers within 100 miles had a handful and some were charging 3 to 4k over MSRP ! We’re talking 38k for a Premium !
Decided to go somewhere I never thought I would… Tesla. Test drove a Model 3.
As you said Alex there is no comparison on ANY level. Tesla has dropped there prices and the Model 3 was 1-2k less than the Bolt !
Sad but true…
Love the 60 second rant!!
Thank you! I can't stand auto journalists who want to compare the range on EV's as if they were all created equal or for even remotely the same purpose when you're looking across the spectrum. I REALLY want this one to succeed so hopefully Chevy's quality won't be an issue.
Thank you Alex. Thank you so very much. I am contemplating buying an EUV to meet our needs. I will miss our Model 3, and giving up the Supercharging network will be hard, but my Model 3 has been extremely problematic, fun, but 28 service visits in just 3 years of ownership is insane. Our 2017 Chevrolet Volt is flawlessly running since day 1, and with 390kms of range, the EUV is more than fine for us.
That's a lot of service visits. I cant understand why owners accept such crap. Tesla should focus on software supply for other makers and charging infrastructure. They're excelling in those 2.
I have a '23 Bolt ev on order. It'll be my commuter car, so the slower dcfc speed doesn't bother me; also, if the slower charge speed makes the battery last longer, I'm good with that.
A liquid-cooled battery was mandatory for me, so the leaf was out, and the Bolt to me is the best charge-for-the-buck ev.
FYI- the graphic on legroom/headroom is for the hyundai venue not the bolt.
I wish I could upvote this video more than once because I'm sick of the Tesla pandering by automotive journalists who never factor in costs to any of their reviews. Chevy should be commended for bringing out this legitimately cheap EV for regular people. It seems to hit the sweet spot between size, cost and range. I am eagerly awaiting to see what the slightly larger and only slightly more expensive version of this Bolt (EUV) can do with super cruise.
😂😂I love Alex being straight up! “No shit Sherlock!”
The Chevy Bolt sells for $31,995 lowest base trim on Chevy's website not sure where you get under $30,000. The Tesla Model 3 is $35,000 base (needs to be purchased in person at Tesla). For $3k more I'd rather have a Tesla. Supercharger network, better handling, better infotainment, more interior space, nicer looking car overall. Unless Chevy starts selling Bolts for under $25,000 I don't understand why someone would buy a Bolt over a Model 3, unless you buy a used Bolt which can be a bargain, makes sense at that point.
You're my hero Alex! "No sh*t Sherlock!" Thank you.
I've always loved your logical take on all your reviews!! It's refreshing to watch someone that thinks outside the box and gives us the ACTUAL facts.
6.3 seconds?
In the 80's camaros and mustangs used to do that in 7 seconds, corvettes in 6, porsche 911s in 5.
Today that night not seem impressive, but to me 6.3 is pretty quick for practical driving
Alex, If I read carefully between the lines and follow your subtle inferences, I think you might just be suggesting that you cannot compare a Bolt with a Tesla. What about a Taycan? ;-)
2 years later and I love to come back to this video, purely for the sake of watching the first minute 😂😂👌
Just don't park the Bolt near anything you wish not to burn up, like your house, garage, barn, carport, yard, or forest.
Still less likely to burn down your house than an ICE car.
And make sure that your Tesla autopilot is turned off so you won't crash into an emergency vehicle and burst into flames that firemen can't even put it out then dragged into an investigation.
Front drive ev's are actually better at some things. They can run much higher regen and get back more power, rear drive ev's can't run a lot of regen or it would just cause the tires to skid or slip. The front wheels do about 70-80% of the braking. But being not a tesla is same reason why we bought a Kia Niro hybrid, it's not a prius. Most people think hybrid means prius, ugly but aerodynamic body, cvt...
l love my 2017 bolt LT... and i just bought it a 1/2 a year ago. its almost a 0-60 6 second car... and the amount of money its saving me is AMAZING! Plus if i need parts for it... i can look them up with ease and order them direct from Chevy... UNLIKE TESLA.... not to mention it didnt cost an arm an leg for this car. Sure bolts have the battery recall, but that will be fixed.
Thanks for thinking positive.
People freak out all the time over the no spare tire thing but the truth is even modern cars and modern hybrids haven't had spare tires in over a decade my 2019 hybrid itself has an air pump instead of a spare tire
I’m surprised Alex didn’t address the huge recall on these. Still, great, in depth review!
quite the elephant in the room, can you even buy a Bolt right now?
@@alejandrodelavega1063 I'm pretty sure there's a stop sale on them right now
since the FULL recall has only just happened, as they say, this video may have already been "in the can" before any of this occurred.
@@alejandrodelavega1063 No. and mfg of it has been halted. Suffice to say, much more news to follow in the coming weeks. If you own a Bolt, don't hold your breath on getting a replacement pack anytime soon.
One of your best reviews ever, for mainly statements about this not being a Tesla or trying to be...I feel same about Honda/Acura products
I owned one of the first 2017 Bolts, drove it for just over three years and put 27,500 miles on it. Loved everything but the stupid shifter and the head-gashing corners on the hatch. Was holding out for the 2022, when the battery problem hit the forums. I never had a problem, but decided to sell it back to GM, which I did, at a very lucrative price. I now drive a Tesla Model 3 and, as far as I’m concerned, the only real advantage over the Bolt is Tesla’s charging network…and the envious looks.
Education and debunking FUD is the biggest thing standing in the way of everyday consumers shopping for EVs like the Bolt. Well and apply chain constraints, but that goes for many vehicles right now, not just EVs.
As soon as I found out my job offered free charging, I bought a used 2017, and the free charging negated the small car payment (because of not needing gas). I was just not willing to pay the big bucks for a Tesla and then not be able to get any parts for it. I'll be getting a new battery pack so it will be like having a new vehicle, and I love the thing...
I've watched a bunch of videos on the Bolt EUV and this is the best of the bunch - very informative, with information I just didn't see elsewhere. We just ordered a 2023 EUV, as we wanted an affordable, practical everyday ev, not a $70K+ supercar that so many manufacturers are offering / pushing. Thanks for the great video!
Good rant, good to remind everyone that not everything is made to compete with a Tesla.
And not everyone cares about all the fancy crap in Teslas. Its more of a name and image. The Bolt EUV interior looks better than that plain Tesla interior
I agree! GMC had a great product and got hustled by public opinion.
Thank you for this Alex. So true. There's a lot of value here, and it works for many Americans.
My new bolt premier was 24.7k
Great choice - costs 2 pennies per mile to drive
This can’t be your only car - due to charging unless you charge it everyday with heavy driving
I'm glad they still have the Regen paddle, it's one of my favorite things about my Volt.
Thank you for the rant at the beginning. I want basic and affordable transportation.
I recently purchase a 2014 BMW i3 w/REX for a little under $16,000 after TTNL. I was also looking at 2017 Chevy Bolts because they were selling in the same ballpark. Both would have served the same purpose. I wanted a small electric hatchback that I could afford and the fact that good used ev's under $20,000 are a thing now is really awesome!
My brothers family has a BMW i3 / rex. When the lease on the 2017 was up, they got a 2021 and more range of about 140 miles, not Tesla range. In my area where I live, Tesla's are everywhere. A relative of our who lives in Portland, Oregon got a Tesla Model Y with All wheel drive, the self driving software for 10k, etc. Cost $65,000 and drove to Kings Canyon Nation Park where we have a family cabin inside park in a private community there. They had to stop 4 times for charging and replaces VW Tourig TDI that had 600 miles range and only 2 stops for fuel. My brothers wifes one brother got a Model Y, base model they sold without all the extras for very cheap, but no longer sell that model. My brother won't buy a Tesla.
It’s so unfortunate that my local dealer, Reeder Chevrolet in Knoxville TN, ❤has their 2 Bolt EUVs priced at $5,000.00 above MSRP.
Your reviews are the best in the industry. Thank you.
Prior to retirement, this would have been a great commuter. I lived in Half Moon Bay and commuted to South San Francisco (25 miles each way). We worked with our management to install lots of Level 2 chargers.
Interesting timing Alex. GM announced a bolt recall.
I have had my 2020 Bolt for six months now. When I got it, I was looking for something very inexpensive to own and operate. I couldn’t be happier. Hopefully they get this recall thing sorted out soon.
Headroom/Legroom #s are for Venue not Bolt at 7:24
Excellent review. The Bolt is the best compact EV, and also has the largest CarPlay display of any car. There is only one problem: you can’t buy the Bolt EV anymore because of the LG battery fire recall. It will take a long time before GM had designed and shipped new batteries.
It's a shame that all Bolt EV and EUVs are currently recalled for battery fire risk. I picked up a 2022 EUV 1LT a month ago and really like it. Although the risk of fire is very low, the imposed battery limits from the recall mean I can only drive 150 miles between charges, I have to park it outside of my garage, and can only charge during the day. I still haven't decided whether I will pursue lemon law or just try to wait it out.
I also have a 2019 Model 3 Long Range (RWD). If I could only have a single car, I would choose the Tesla solely based on the better charging infrastructure. But for a lot of people, an EV would be a 2nd car - and the Bolt is definitely the better value in this case. Also the paint quality and fit and finish are noticeably better on the Bolt.
Wow I’m getting one of the last Bolts made in a few weeks and it’s a great value now with the 2LT package and adaptive cruise I specced for just $31,900 minus the $7500 federal tax credit. The car will be a great partner with my recent solar installation and I can’t wait to get it! One problem is that I live in NW Wisconsin do the range won’t be as good when it’s real cold but I figure for 9 months a year it should be good.
Are you getting the EV or EUV? Did you test drive both? I'm looking at the EV 2LT.
I don't trust GM after their complete failure to deal with the battery fire issues over the past few months. Even if most bolts won't catch on fire, it speaks to how little they would care about future problems with the car.
We got one as a 2nd car - our main car is a Sportage Hybrid - and I really love it. It's very nice for local driving because it's very quick and extraordinarily easy to park being so small and having all the cameras. They are not easy to find and I was lucky enough to find a 22 that had the battery replaced - and I got the free level 2 charger install as well. The EUV's real leg room is nice but I couldn't find one that wasn't loaded and tbh the leather seats and heated wheel / seats were really my main priorities. If only the better speakers weren't optional, mine doesn't have them and there just isn't enough inventory to be picky. But it's a great little car and with better tires would probably handle really well.
As usual, a well thought out, full of helpful information review. I, too liked the out-of-the-blue “no shit, Sherlock” remark. Alex is #1.
I was seriously thinking of purchasing a 2022 Bolt until the battery/vehicle recall. For now, and possibly forever, it's off my shopping list, and that's a shame because the Bolt is a great EV for the price.
Any thoughts on the recall issues with the bolt?
No, the Bolt owners here don't want to talk about that.
With the recently announced price cut on the 2023MY Chevy Bolt EV and EUV, this is now $6000 cheaper, now I am cross shopping this PHEVs since this is now cheaper than PHEV and has a descent feature content compared to the Japanese entrants in the segment.
nice job covering the charging speeds and comparing to other cars... Wow, the Bolt is actually pretty damned good at its price!
Now all the Bolts are being recalled because the batteries are burning up. 1 billion dollar recall expense.
Alex seemed pissed at the Tesla comparisons. Rightly so!
He probably got those comments a few times just before filming.
I'm definitely not cross shopping any EV with a gas car. I know EVs are the future so I am looking all the available options to see which one is the best overall
I had a 2019
Chevy bolt and the seats were terrible😩
Thank you for saying it. It's not trying to be a Tesla. I don't want a Tesla, or an EV6, maybe a Kona. After the recall stuff is done, I plan on buying one. Even if that takes time. I have no interest in anything larger than a Bolt EV (not the EUV).
Me too, I prefer the standard bolt to the euv
Electric Avenue, and then we take it higher!