2022 Chevrolet Bolt Pros and Cons Review: More daring but still practical

The Chevrolet Bolt was our 2017 Car of the Year; will the 2022 update be sufficient to reclaim the title?

Pros

Affordably priced, enjoyable electric commuter with a reasonable range
Charge cord with dual levels (L1 and L2) and free Level 2 charger installation
One-pedal driving button

Cons

There is no Super Cruise like the Bolt EUV SUV.
There is no sunroof.
We had hoped expecting more major material improvements.

When the Chevrolet Bolt tiny electric hatchback first reached the market, we named it the 2017 MotorTrend Car of the Year. It was daring and innovative, ushering in a new era of entertaining electric automobiles that were practical for everyday driving.

Chevy updated the Bolt for the 2022 model year to compete with a growing number of new EVs, believing that new clothes on the old emperor would be enough to reclaim the crown.

"It's still goofy, but with a little more edge," said digital director Erik Johnson, "like a Math Olympics winner who just found leather jackets."

The Bolt is a low-cost commuter vehicle with a 259-mile range from its 65-kWh battery, which is competitive in its class. GM squeezes every last drop of efficiency out of its outdated electric architecture; the five-passenger vehicle does not upgrade to the new Ultium battery system, which would give more range.

"I'm always blown away by how much fun the Bolt is to drive," features editor Christian Seabaugh remarked. "It would have been quite easy to produce another commuter vehicle and call it a day, but the Bolt is more than that. It's torquey, well-balanced, and a little ridiculous. It's an oddly good GTI substitute." Alex Stoklosa, senior editor, concurred, stating that the "chassis is beautifully tuned, comfy, and controlled."

Frank Markus, the technical director, was less enthused. "The Bolt assaults the twisting course like a powered baby stroller," he remarked. He had no trouble overpowering the tyres and brakes.

The one-pedal driving button was praised by several judges, and senior editor Conner Golden noted the electrical regen paddle "turns driving into a bit of a game." "This is the only electric car here that trains the driver every day toward eco driving by painting the ring around the speedometer green or yellow," Markus said.

The redesigned Bolt boasts improved seats and a more spacious cabin, as well as a push-button electronic shifter that saves space. The 10.2-inch touchscreen is beautifully integrated into the dash and has sharp visuals. Johnson believed the redesigned inside was an advance in terms of design and material selections, although several judges thought the quality in this $36,165 model might be better. It also does not have a sunroof.

Chevy reduced the price by $5,500 for 2022; a Bolt now costs $31,995. It was the cheapest EV until Nissan saw it and reduced the price of its Leaf to $28,375 for the S, which has a range of just 149 miles. A similar Nissan Leaf Plus with a range of 226 miles begins at $33,375. The Bolt also includes a complimentary Level 2 charger installation.

Despite its improvements, the 2022 Bolt is not a COTY finalist. "The original Bolt was a revelation; this one is just an evolution," Golden explained. "The EV scene has altered dramatically in the five model years since the original, and while this revised car remains a strong entrant, the game has shifted."