Chevrolet Bolt EUV vs. Bolt EV: Why the crossover gets our vote [Update]

GM unveiled the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV (facelift) in February 2021. Along with the refresh, the company introduced a crossover derivate to keep up with the times – the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

The Chevrolet Bolt and the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, made in Lake Orion, Michigan, have been at dealerships since May 2021. Here’s a Bolt EUV vs. Bolt EV pictorial and spec comparison to understand better the differences between the hatchback and the crossover on paper.

Design

The most obvious difference and differentiator is the design. With the two-tier headlamps and black body cladding all around, the Bolt EV itself expresses the robustness of an SUV to some level. The Bolt EUV builds on the tough styling with more SUV-like proportions.

The Bolt EUV has a more dominating front fascia with the addition of a faux skid plate. It features a longer and more muscular hood, a more defined portion between the headlamps with concave surfacing that increases the sharpness, and a proper split headlamp arrangement with the main lights positioned separately in the middle section.

The longer body and the straighter belt line leading to the rear door contribute to the SUV-like styling on the sides. At the rear, the edgier design of the tailgate, sharper taillamps, and the faux skid plate offer a clean look. The Bolt EUV and 2022 Bolt EV feature a black Chevy “bowtie” emblem on their sculpted grille, tailgate, and steering wheel. The Bolt used golden Chevy bowtie emblems before the facelift.

Interior

The basic interior design of the two models is the same, with differences observed in the color and patterns of the dashboard, seat, and door cards. Both cars offer a 10.2-inch-diagonal infotainment touchscreen and integrated HVAC controls. More details are available on the 8-inch-diagonal reconfigurable instrument cluster. The Bolt EUV gets heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats.

Specifications

Measuring 169.5 inches in length, 69.7 inches in width, and 63.6 inches in height, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV is much longer and a little bit wider and taller than the Bolt. The wheelbase, at 105.3 inches, is also longer.

The Chevrolet Bolt EUV and Chevrolet Bolt EV share a 65 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. A single motor generating 150 kW/150 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque propels the front wheels. The Bolt crossover can achieve a GM-estimated range of 250 miles (247 miles as per EPA), and the Bolt hatchback can go 9 miles further as per GM Estimate – 259 miles.

EPA has certified the 2022 Bolt EUV to deliver an estimated 125 MPGe city, 104 MPGe highway, and 115 MPGe combined. The official EPA fuel equivalent ratings for the 2022 Bolt EV are 131 MPGe city, 109 MPGe highway, and 120 MPGe combined.

GM has partnered with Shell to offer fixed-rate home energy plans, with power coming only from renewable energy resources. Currently, this program is available only in Texas. Summer 2021 onwards, GM EV owners can select home energy plans that include a free overnight EV charging option from midnight to 5 a.m.

In Canada, 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV customers (both purchase & lease) get a free standard installation of a Level 2 (240-volt) charging home outlet. Using the Dual Level Charge Cord (240-volt 32 amp charging cord), the 2022 Bolt EUV and 2022 Bolt EV can gain a range of approx. 40 km (25 miles) and 41 km (25 miles), respectively, in one hour.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV vs. Chevrolet Bolt EV

Price

Despite the extra USD 2,000 price, a compromise of a 12-mile range, and .1 cu. ft boot volume, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV wins our vote for its spacious cabin and SUV-like design. Moreover, the Bolt EUV exclusively offers the comfort of autonomous driving with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance system on more than 200,000 miles of enabled roads in the U.S. and Canada for the tech-savvy customers. The Bolt EUV is also the car in this comparison with a panoramic power sunroof option.

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV is available in 1LT (USD 31,995) and 2LT trims (USD 35,195), while the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is available in LT (USD 33,995) and Premier (USD 38,495) trims. The Launch Edition (USD 43,495) trim is no longer on sale.

Sales

General Motors has delivered 20,288 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Chevrolet Bolt EUV units combined in the first half of 2021. Compared to H1 2020, when only the hatchback was on sale and recorded 8,371 units, that’s a 142.4% growth. Most of the H1 2021 deliveries (11,263 cars) were during the second quarter, where the Bolt recorded 2,498 units, marking a 350.9% improvement year-over-year.

Video Source: YouTube/High Octane Only

2022 Chevrolet Bolt SSV models

Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. are adopting EVs, and GM has seized the newfound opportunity. The company offers the 2022 Bolt Chevrolet EUV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV as ‘Special Service Vehicle (SSV).’

These cars aren’t to chase down criminals, as they are not Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV). They have 20- and 30-amp under-hood circuits dedicated to emergency equipment (like auxiliary lights) and department radios. A surveillance mode circuit for turning off interior and exterior lighting is also part of the package. Both models come with six key fobs as standard so that multiple drivers can use them hassle-free.

Recall

GM has recalled thousands of 2017-2022 Bolt EVs and 2022 Bolt EUVs as they pose a fire risk. There is a possibility that the batteries of some of the affected vehicles have two defects in the same battery cell – a torn anode tab and folded separator.

On August 26, 2021, The Detroit News reported that GM has paused the production of the 2022 Bolt models because of a battery pack shortage for two weeks. On September 16, 2021, Reuters reported that GM will extend the Chevrolet Bolt EV production halt to mid-October. The company won’t resume manufacturing until at least October 15, 2021, not before it comes up with a satisfactory recall solution for the fire risk issue. It had registered 12 fires and three injuries emerging from the manufacturing defect till September 16. The Chevrolet Bolt recall will cost GM an estimated USD 1.8 billion and will replace 140,000+ battery modules.

On September 20, 2021, GM announced that the Chevrolet Bolt EV battery production at LG battery plants in Holland and Hazel Park, Michigan, resumed. Moreover, LG is ramping up production for GM. As a result, the latter expects to begin shipping replacement battery modules to dealers as early as mid-October 2021. The replacement battery modules will include an extended 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty in the U.S. and 8-year/160,000-km limited warranty in Canada.

GM then decided to postpone resuming Chevrolet Bolt production, Automotive News reported on October 13, 2021. The company is keeping the production on pause until October 29, 2021, because of a shortage of battery packs. Just for reference, the Michigan plant has been idle since August 23, 2021.

In the meantime, GM has started sending the replacement battery modules to dealers. Replacing the battery modules is roughly a two-day process. We will continue updating the story as and when new recall-related information emerges.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV FAQs

Note: The compendium is made of images downloaded from the General Motors media site, and cropped in some cases to align angles.