As the first mass-produced electric car with more than 200 miles of range and a price below $40,000, the first-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV was a giant leap toward a zero-emission future. Chevy can’t rest on its laurels, though. With rivals launching their own mass-market electric cars—encouraged by stricter global emissions standards—the Bolt EV was in need of an update.
General Motors didn’t just update the Bolt EV, though, it added a new SUV-like variant alongside the existing hatchback. The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV will go on sale alongside the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV this summer. The Bolt EUV is also the first non-Cadillac model to get GM’s Super Cruise driver-assist tech, while the Bolt EV gets a restyling inside and out.
Design
Car shoppers are going crazy for crossovers, and the Bolt EUV is designed to tap into that market. However, like other recent EV crossovers—such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, and Volkswagen ID.4—the Bolt EUV still looks a lot like a traditional car.
The Bolt EUV’s proportions aren’t dramatically different from the standard Bolt EV hatchback. It’s 6.3 inches longer, with a 2.9-inch longer wheelbase (adding 3.0 inches of legroom, according to Chevy), but only two-tenths of an inch taller. A tall ride height is usually a key differentiator between a crossover and a regular car, but the Bolt EUV has the same ride height as the Bolt EV.
Both variants get the same front-end styling, which drops the cutesy look of the previous Bolt EV for a more aggressive appearance, with thinner headlights and a more upright profile. Electric cars don’t need radiator grilles like gasoline cars, but Chevy outlined the space anyway because, it seems, old habits die hard. The indents on either side (which house additional lighting elements) are harder to explain. They look awkward, and break up an otherwise clean design.
The two models get the same interior, with design highlights including a flat-bottom steering wheel and a new gear shifter that uses pull toggles and buttons (to free up more space, per Chevy). Designers also included a button for one-pedal driving, replacing the steering-column paddle in the outgoing Bolt EV.
Tech
GM is finally expanding availability of Super Cruise beyond the Cadillac luxury brand, but the system is only available on the Bolt EUV, not the standard Bolt EV. Super Cruise is GM’s answer to Tesla Autopilot, allowing cars to automatically steer, accelerate, and brake during highway driving. Unlike Tesla, GM takes extra measures to ensure safe use. A driver-facing camera monitors for distraction, and Super Cruise only works on roads that have been thoroughly mapped (GM says it’s mapped about 200,000 miles of roads in the United States and Canada to date).
All Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models get standard automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-distance indicator, automatic headlights, and front pedestrian braking. Adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system are available at extra cost.
The standard infotainment system includes a 10.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Amazon Alexa compatibility. A built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is also available, while wireless phone charging is standard on the Bolt EUV and an optional extra on the Bolt EV.
Both the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV also get Chevy’s new Dual Level Charge Cord, which can switch between 120-volt Level 1 AC charging (like you get from a standard household outlet) and 240-volt Level 2 AC charging. Similar to cords available on other electric cars like the Nissan Leaf, it lets you plug directly into a 240-volt outlet (the same kind used for large appliances) without having to install a dedicated home charging station. However, the Dual Level Charge Cord is only standard on the Bolt EUV. On the Bolt EV, it’s an optional extra.
Specifications
The powertrain and battery pack carry over from the outgoing Bolt EV. That means both the 2022 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV get a single electric motor making 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive. Considering that it’s marketed as a crossover, all-wheel drive is a major omission from the Bolt EUV.
Chevy expects the 2021 Bolt EV’s 259-mile range rating to carry over to the 2022 model. The Bolt EUV uses the same 65-kilowatt-hour battery pack as the Bolt EV, is rated at 250 miles of range. That’s likely due to the Bolt EUV’s slightly heavier curb weight, and less-aerodynamic bodywork.
Both models get standard DC fast charging, which can add up to 100 miles of range in 30 minutes for the Bolt EV, and 95 miles for the Bolt EUV, according to Chevy. It’ll take about seven hours to fully charge both models from a 240-volt AC charging station, the automaker estimates.
Pricing and rivals
Pricing for the 2022 Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV starts below the 2021 Bolt EV, which started at $37,495. The 2022 Bolt EV has a base price of $31,995, while the Bolt EUV starts at $33,995. GM vehicles are no longer eligible for the federal EV tax credit, but state and local incentives may still apply.
The Bolt EV continues to target electric hatchbacks from mainstream brands, including the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, and Nissan Leaf. The Chevy is still very competitive on range, and the price reduction substantially undercuts rivals. The outgoing Bolt EV was also a bit more fun to drive than competitors — something we expect to carry over to the 2022 model.
Because it’s billed a crossover, the Bolt EUV seems to target the Volkswagen ID.4. Like the Chevy, the ID.4 is a crossover version of an existing model (it’s based on the European market VW ID.3 hatchback). Both vehicles have the same 250-mile range, but the VW is a bit pricier, starting at $39,995. However, the ID.4 should be available first (it’s scheduled to hit dealerships this spring) and will be available with all-wheel drive.
The Bolt EUV might also be cross-shopped against the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Tesla Model Y, but those are somewhat pricier vehicles that are more performance-oriented.
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