2027 Chevrolet Bolt vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Lexus TX presented a sophisticated yet familiar design, offering a range of trim levels tailored to different powertrains. The TX 350 was available in Base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport Handling trims, while the 500h hybrid came in F Sport Performance Premium and F Sport Performance Luxury versions. The 550h+ plug-in hybrid was exclusively offered in the top Luxury trim. Notable updates for the 2026 model included a standard panoramic glass roof on the 550h+ and the introduction of the striking Matador Red Mica paint. The vehicle's exterior featured a large grille reminiscent of the older spindle grille design, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting that spanned the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX offered two interior color options, with the PHEV adding a dark brown called Peppercorn. Ambient lighting and suede trim enhanced the cabin's warmth, though the overall material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics evident throughout.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar appearance, with subtle styling changes that made the front end resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The 2027 model continued the legacy of the 2023 version, balancing between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV. The Bolt's tall and narrow design prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty stance. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more significant makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was relocated to the steering column, freeing up center console space. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing the Bolt's budget feel, though the elbow touch points had thin padding. The RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, while the rear seating area featured hard plastics and lacked padding for the door armrests.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of powertrain options, with the base model delivering 317 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The plug-in hybrid variant, however, generated an impressive 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. The onboard seven-kilowatt charger, while not the fastest, allowed for a full battery charge in under three hours using a home charger. The TX provided various driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom, allowing drivers to tailor their experience. The 550h+ offered a quiet and smooth ride, with seamless transitions between gas and electric power. The all-wheel-drive system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels, enhancing traction on slippery surfaces.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. The Bolt's motor, sourced from Chevy's Equinox EV, delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The Bolt's acceleration was comparable to its predecessor, reaching 0-60 mph in the low seven-second range. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high levels of brake regeneration. The Bolt's ride was firm but not overly stiff, and its low center of gravity contributed to agile handling on curvy roads. The 2027 Bolt offered an EPA-estimated range of up to 262 miles on a full charge, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port standard on all models. Charging speed increased to 150 kW, allowing for a quick recharge from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ provided standard luxury features, including multi-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, accommodating full-sized adults comfortably. The second-row seats featured a one-touch button for easy access to the third row, though folding them flat required a specific sequence of lever flips. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support, while the cupholders were versatile and removable. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. All TX models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor reducing the penalty for center-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, enhancing luggage space. While there was no frunk, the Bolt offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch color touchscreen that was user-friendly but had some quirks, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. The steering wheel buttons controlled various functions but were not labeled, leading to confusion. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occasionally arose. The TX offered a clear back-up camera with an available bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system for automated parking. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices stayed charged.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for music streaming. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was intuitive, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt's navigation system could locate charging stations and precondition the battery for optimal charging rates. The Bolt also offered vehicle-to-load charging, allowing it to serve as a backup power source for a home.

The 2026 Lexus TX came standard with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane centering, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though it was initially confusing. The TX 350 and TX 500h earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, while the IIHS gave the TX an "Acceptable" score for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side and a "Good" score for the passenger’s side.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not yet available, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was available for an additional cost.