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

Update: ‘MY2023 changes’ section updated with details.

GM unveiled the new 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, reached dealerships in May 2021, shortly after which production of the models paused for a long time (discussed later in the story). 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 2023 Bolt EUV and 2023 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 (201 hp) and 266 lb-ft of torque propels the front wheels. The Bolt EUV achieves 247 miles of range as per EPA, and the Bolt hatchback can go 8 miles further – 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. We’re expecting the same EPA estimates for the 2023 Bolt EUV and 2023 Bolt EV as their respective previous MY2022 models.

In Canada, Chevrolet Bolt EUV and Chevrolet Bolt EV customers (both purchase & lease) received 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 Bolt EUV and 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

Aspect\Specifications	Chevrolet Bolt EV Specs	Chevrolet Bolt EUV Specs
Range (EPA Combined)	259 miles	247 miles
DC Fast Charge Range	Up to 100 miles in 30 minutes	Up to 95 miles in 30 minutes
Overall Length	163.2 in.	169.5 in.
Overall Width	69.5 in.	69.7 in.
Overall Height	63.4 in.	63.6 in.
Wheelbase	102.4 in.	105.3 in.
Headroom	40.1 in. (front)/37.9 in. (rear)	40.0 in. (front)/39.1 in. (front w/ sunroof)/37.8 in. (rear)
Legroom	44.3 in. (front)/36.0 in. (rear)	44.3 in. (front)/39.2 in. (rear)
Shoulder Room	54.6 in. (front)/52.8 in. (rear)	54.6 in. (front)/52.0 in. (rear)
Hip Room	51.3 in. (front)/50.6 in. (rear)	51.4 in. (front)/50.2 in. (rear)
Passenger Volume	93.9 cu. ft.	96.5 cu. ft.
Cargo Volume	16.6 cu. ft. (behind rear seat)/ 57.0 cu. ft. (rear seat folded)	16.3 cu. ft. (behind rear seat)/56.9 cu. ft. (rear seat folded)

MY2023 changes

The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV and 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV include a few minor changes. They are available in a new Radiant Red Tintcoat exterior color at an additional cost. Another common change is the introduction of front and rear floor liners at dealers. In addition, the Bolt EV has gained an illuminated charging port as a dealer-level accessory for MY2023. Lastly, the 2023 Bolt EUV is available in a new Redline Edition.

The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Redline Edition is an optional package for getting a sportier styling. It will be available on both LT and Premier trims.

The 2023 Bolt EUV Redline Edition’s exterior features will include 17-inch gloss black wheels with red accents, red accents on the door mirror caps, and a black and red Bolt EUV badge on the rear hatch. The black/red theme will continue inside a Jet Black leather upholstery featuring red accent stitching, available on both the trims. The exterior color options planned are Mosaic Black Metallic, Silver Flare Metallic, and Summer White.

Price

The Chevrolet Bolt EUV and Chevrolet Bolt EV have received big price cuts for MY2023. The Bolt EUV is USD 6,300 cheaper (in both LT & Premier trims), while the Bolt EUV is USD 5,900 cheaper (in both 1LT and 2LT trims). Below are the latest prices:

Trim	2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Price	2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV Price
1LT	NA	USD 26,595
2LT	NA	USD 29,795
LT	USD 28,195	NA
Premier	USD 32,695	NA

Despite the extra USD 1,600-2,900 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 tech-savvy customers. The Bolt EUV is also the car in this comparison with a panoramic power sunroof option.

Sales

General Motors delivered just 24,828 units of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Chevrolet Bolt EUV combined in 2021. Steve Majoros, Director Chevrolet Marketing, has told the American media that he expects 2022 and 2023 to register record sales of the Bolt and Bolt EUV. The all-time high interest in EVs and the record gas prices in the U.S. could be the catalysts for the sales rebound.

Video Source: YouTube/High Octane Only

Recall & production resumption

In 2021, GM launched a recall program for 2017-2022 Bolt EVs and 2022 Bolt EUVs as they posed a fire risk. 18 units of the Bolt EV had caught fire globally, and GM has confirmed 15 of them, as per a report from Detroit Free Press. There is a possibility that the batteries of some of the affected vehicles had two flaws in the same battery cell — a torn anode tab and folded separator.

According to the report, GM has recalled 140,000 units of the Bolts and is replacing their battery modules. The replacement battery modules will reportedly include an extended 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty in the U.S. and 8-year/160,000-km limited warranty in Canada. LG has agreed to reimburse USD 1.9 billion of the USD 2 billion recall costs.

NHTSA (pdf file) data has revealed that General Motors has replaced 27,586 battery packs of the 57,414 Bolt EV units recalled between 2017 and 2019 by March 2022. As for the later Bolt recalls, the company has completed 662 replacements out of the 52,414 recalls.

Chevrolet Bolt production resumes

In what came as a significant development in April 2022, GM restarted production of the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV long after manufacturing was stopped last year to fix battery fire risk problems. Both models were out of production for about 8 months during the recall program.

During the Q1 2022 results conference call, CEO Mary Barra said that affordable models would be a major source of growth for Chevrolet. Here’s what she went on to say:

In fact, we plan to produce more than 50,000 Bolt EVs this year for global markets, including a record 40,000 deliveries in the U.S.

GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra during the Q1 2022 Results Call on April 26, 2022

General Motors plans to upscale electric vehicle production in 2022 and 2023 to produce 400,000 units, as per an earlier Reuters report.

Production of the 2022 Bolts resumed on April 4, 2022, and by April 6, 2022, approximately 800 units of the 2022 Bolt models were on their way to dealers (via Detroit Free Press). GMAuthority says that GM will start manufacturing the 2023 Bolt EV and 2023 Bolt EUV on July 21, 2022.

What is the future of the Chevy Bolt?

GM has announced that the brand’s Orion Township facility in Michigan that manufactures the Bolt EV and the EUV will switch to building something different. Starting in 2024, the facility will become the brand’s second pickup truck factory for the upcoming Ultium-based Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra EVs, as announced by GM on January 25, 2022. GM is spending USD 4 billion in upgrading this facility, and while production of the Bolt twins will continue during the plant’s conversion, GM has not said what lies ahead for the Bolt past this point.

The Bolt twins use the older BEV2 platform that shares ties with Spark and the Aveo. GM has moved on from this platform with the new BEV3/Ultium architecture for next-gen EVs. The upcoming Chevy Equinox EV will pack more technology than the Bolt siblings, be built on GM’s modern BEV3 architecture, and will undercut the Bolt in terms of pricing despite being a better overall package.

The Bolt EVs have been marred with reliability issues because of battery defects that have cost GM billions of dollars, with the nameplate’s reputation not at its best health. Perhaps if the Bolt family has two bumper years in 2022 and 2023, the vehicles would make a strong case for renewal.

Michelin North America President talks about a next-gen Bolt

Contrary to what other reports have said, an all-new Chevrolet Bolt is still a realistic option. This development comes not from GM, but tire manufacturer Michelin. Alexis Garcin, the President of Michelin’s North American subsidiary, has told CNN that the company wants the next-gen Chevrolet Bolt to feature airless tires, which the company has developed. This is the first time we are hearing a conversation about an all-new Bolt.

Garcin said that “it’s going to happen” by 2025-2027, indicating that GM may have firmed-up plans for a new Bolt and is engaging with component suppliers for the project. It’s entirely possible that GM has a new model in the pipeline but with a different name, something that it’s yet to communicate to partners.

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.