2027 Chevrolet Bolt Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Bolt EV returns with a very familiar look. Styling changes are slight, and the front end looks more like that of a conventional gas-powered car than an EV. A thin slot now sits behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert has been integrated into the bumper. Otherwise, the 2027 model picks up where the 2023 version left off, straddling the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV (it was referred to as an "EUV," or electric SUV). Chevy previously offered both the standard Bolt EV and the higher-roof EUV, but is only bringing back a single body style for 2027.

It's tall and narrow, so the Bolt EV has an econobox-like footprint, prioritizing utility and interior space over a sporty stance. The RS model adds some gloss black exterior trim to spice things up, but only a little.

The interior has had a more dramatic makeover but maintains some of its basic structure. A larger digital instrument panel sits in front of the driver, and a larger infotainment touchscreen occupies the center of the dashboard. The previous push-button gear selector has been moved to the steering column, freeing up more storage space in the center console. There are also storage pockets on the passenger’s side of the dashboard.

The cabin is dominated by hard plastic surfaces that reinforce the Bolt’s budget feel, but at least the elbow touch points have thin padding. Most plastics are sturdy, though the center console felt flimsy by comparison. The base LT trim comes with cloth upholstery, while the RS trim upgrades to Evotex synthetic leather with racy red stitching. The rear seating area also features an abundance of hard plastics and lacks any padding for the door armrests.

More impactful changes happen under the surface. A new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack requires fewer rare earth minerals and reduces costs compared to the previous battery. A new motor taken from Chevy's Equinox EV sends 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. Expect 0-60 mph similar to that of the previous Bolt EV, which usually landed in the low seven-second range.

That acceleration estimate may seem slow by EV standards, but it's plenty quick in the real world. The Bolt is a rocket compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, and responds immediately to pedal inputs. One-pedal driving is available and accessed via the settings menu, with either medium or high levels of brake regeneration. In the highest setting, the Bolt EV can be a little jumpy at low speeds when maneuvering into tight spaces, but we got used to it after only a little time behind the wheel, and managed smoother movements.

The ride is on the firm side, but it's not overly stiff or intrusive. Drivers feel almost every imperfection in the road, but even the larger bumps won't send shockwaves through the cabin. The absence of an internal combustion engine means road noise is more obvious than in a gasoline car, but turning up the stereo to even a relatively low volume easily overcomes the din. Despite its tall, narrow stance, the Bolt EV is surprisingly agile on curvy roads, likely thanks to the heavy battery in the floor, which creates a low center of gravity.

On a full charge, the EPA estimates that the 2027 Bolt will return up to 262 miles of range—an improvement of 15 miles over its predecessor. A Tesla-derived NACS charge port is standard on all models, with adapters available for CCS and J1772 connectors. Charging speed has also increased from 55 kilowatts to 150 kW, which should allow the Bolt to recharge from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes.

The Bolt’s driving position is a bit more upright than that of a typical SUV, and there's plenty of space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might wish for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel, as we felt the need to scoot the seat forward more than we'd like to comfortably reach the wheel.

The rear seats are also more upright, but there's plenty of headroom for adults. There’s also adequate thigh support from the seat cushions. In this class, those cushions are typically mounted lower to the floor to provide enough headroom, but the Bolt makes no such compromises. The floor is also flat, reducing the penalty for center-seat passengers.

The Bolt can hold up to 16.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, which is small for the class. That said, it still provides plenty of cargo capacity for most users. Underneath the floor is a very large bin, and the floor can be slid into it to provide even more luggage space. The release latches for the rear seatbacks are easy to reach from the cargo area, and the seats fold flat with the cargo floor when it’s in its upper position.

There's no frunk, but there is ample storage for personal items up front. A large bin with movable/removable dividers can hold drinks securely, while a big floor tray and a deep center armrest bin can accommodate pretty much everything else. Combined with a rubberized wireless phone charger, additional pockets in the dashboard, and moderate door pockets, shoppers probably won't want for more storage.

All 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV models come with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen—both shared with the Chevy Colorado midsize truck. The infotainment system runs on the same Google-based operating system as other General Motors EVs, meaning Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto are not supported (although some of the features of the latter are built into the infotainment system itself). That forced us to pair our phone via Bluetooth to listen to our personal music library, but there was just enough browsing control to keep us satisfied.

Our test vehicle also came equipped with the optional Technology package for $1,195. It added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, a few additional safety features, and a wireless charging pad. The wireless charging pad easily accommodates larger iPhones with a case and keeps them from sliding around.

The infotainment system is easy to use, thanks to logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses to inputs. Separate physical climate controls reduce distraction, while streaming entertainment options could help to make up for the lack of Apple CarPlay. Like most EVs, the Bolt’s navigation system can help drivers find charging stations en route and suggest which might be the fastest for the trip. The system also preconditions the battery to take advantage of the highest charge rates from the beginning.

The 2027 Bolt EV is capable of vehicle-to-load charging, which allows it to serve as a backup power source for a home when the power goes out. This does require additional equipment and installation, though.

Crash test results for the 2027 Bolt EV hadn't yet been published by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) at the time of writing. Considering that this version is built on the same platform as the 2023 Bolt EUV, we expect it to achieve similarly high scores from both organizations.

Standard advanced safety features include: forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors with active steering assist, and a safety alert seat that vibrates. The optional Technology package adds a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, automatic wipers, rear-pedestrian alert, and traffic-sign recognition. In our time with the Bolt, all of these features operated smoothly, with no notable false alarms or glitches.

For an additional $3,255, GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system is available. This makes the Bolt EV one of the few budget EVs to include such an advanced system, though at significant cost relative to the overall MSRP.

Prices for the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV start at $28,995 (including $1,395 in destination fees) for the base LT trim, which makes it the most affordable EV currently on sale in the U.S. The RS we drove starts at $32,995, and with the optional Technology package and sunroof, the as-tested price rose to $35,685. Shoppers should also check for any applicable state or local incentives that could further lower the cost of the vehicle and/or a home charger.

There's really no advantage to stepping up to the RS trim. Almost all of the added features are available on the LT trim as options, leaving only some minor cosmetic enhancements (gloss black grille, red seat upholstery stitching, and badging) as exclusives. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to pick and choose between some option packages. For example, if shoppers want the Technology package, they'll also have to spring for the supporting Evotex and Comfort packages, and in this case, the price advantage wanes.

The Bolt EV’s closest rival is the recently redesigned Nissan Leaf, prices of which span approximately $31,000 to $40,000, with 259 and 303 miles of EPA-rated range. The Leaf also has more cargo space, but rear passenger space is noticeably less. The Hyundai Kona Electric starts around $34,000 and is rated at 261 miles, but finding one might be challenging since it was put on hiatus for the 2026 model year.

The Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Bolt EV deliver similar experiences at similar prices, which means the decision between the two could come down to the differences in rear passenger and cargo space. The Subaru Uncharted is a new entry worthy of consideration, but it costs a few grand more than the Chevy. That will likely also be the case for the Kia EV3, due to arrive for the 2027 model year.