The Bolt EUV seems fairly sharp. Skinny headlights (or, on this case, operating lights) go a good distance on loads of vehicles.

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The Bolt Euv is a much bigger model of a greater model of the Chevy Bolt EV. Regardless of the almost-too-similar taxonomy, the Bolt EUV makes an attempt to distance itself from its sibling by the use of including some inside quantity, and the result’s swell.

If you happen to suppose the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV seems much like the Bolt EV (minus the U), U could be appropriate. The obvious change between the 2 is size, the place the EUV stretches 6.2 inches longer than the usual Bolt EV. This embiggening provides 3.9 inches of wheelbase and, extra importantly, 3.1 inches of rear legroom. The EUV is simply 0.2 inches taller and wider than the Bolt EV, although, which implies sitting in the course of the backseat is usually a tight affair. Headroom stays ample.

The second-gen Bolt, whether or not EV or EUV, seems higher inside and outside. The skinny operating lights make for extra futuristic fasciae, and I dig the feel on the entrance bumper’s “grille.” However the actual enchancment takes place inside, the place Chevrolet lastly determined to make use of supplies that do not always really feel low cost. The sprint makes use of layers, coloration and texture, though the gloss black trim all through could be fairly the smudge magnet. The triangle patterns within the Premier’s leather-based seats look good, and the chairs themselves are sufficiently supportive for longer stretches on the street.

Storage is a combined bag. The middle console’s cup holders aren’t sufficiently big for giant water bottles, however the door pockets assist mitigate that. There is a small tray for holding issues below the USB ports, nevertheless it doubles because the wi-fi charging pad. I do like that there is sufficient area below the middle armrest for a decently sized purse. The Bolt EUV provides simply 16.3 cubic ft of cargo area, sufficient for a household’s groceries or a pair weekender luggage, and whereas it bests opponents just like the Hyundai Kona Electrical and Nissan Leaf, it is just a bit tiny total. The EPA says the Bolt EV has extra cargo area at 16.6 cubic ft, however that is largely on account of how the EPA measures cargo volumes — take into account the 2 functionally an identical. There is not any frunk, both.

The Bolt EUV’s powertrain stays peachy. Regardless of being positioned as a quasi-crossover of kinds, the EUV is a front-wheel-drive hatchback, sending 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque to the entrance axle by the use of a single electrical motor. That torque worth is not something to shake a stick at; instantaneous twist means the EUV shoves off in a rush, though its 215/50R17 Michelin Power Saver all-season tires are very fast to spin below an excessive amount of throttle. 

The EPA estimates the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV will run about 247 miles on a single cost, a quantity I might say is effectively inside attain. Since driving fashion components closely into these calculations, Chevy gives a excessive and low estimate for remaining vary within the gauge cluster, with a marker that lets me know whether or not my driving is aiming for effectivity or not. Over a pair hundred miles, I am displaying 3.4 miles per kilowatt-hour used, which interprets to about 221 miles from the automobile’s 65-kWh battery pack. The Bolt EUV’s built-in brake regeneration is nice, with little change in pedal really feel between regen and friction, and I get pleasure from that I can activate one-foot driving completely through a swap on the middle console, or I can use it on-demand by the use of the steering wheel paddle.

Charging the Bolt EUV is a breeze, thanks partially to a 7.2-kilowatt system and a regular dual-level wire that works with each 120-volt Degree 1 and 240-volt Degree 2 setups (this cable is non-obligatory on Bolt EV). Chevy estimates about 7 hours to refill on a Degree 2 charger, which tracks with my expertise of hooking as much as a public charger and going from 50% to full over the course of a protracted dinner with associates. As cities proceed to flesh out their EV infrastructure, vary nervousness ought to by no means be a difficulty right here.

The Bolt EUV’s longer wheelbase makes for a extra snug journey, too, smoothing out among the bouncier antics I discover within the shorter Bolt EV. It is by no means going to be a dealing with hero — possibly ask Chevy for an RS variant or one thing — nevertheless it’s not alleged to be. The steering is mild as heck, though the non-obligatory and largely pointless Sport mode does add some weight, so it is clear that the Bolt EUV is for cruising.

When the lights within the steering wheel go inexperienced, it is time to cruise — Tremendous Cruise, that’s.

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Talking of cruising, the Bolt EUV carries one non-obligatory improve you possibly can’t get on the Bolt EV. Tremendous Cruise is GM’s Degree 2 driver help, combining adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help to carry the car in its lane on the tempo of site visitors on pre-mapped stretches of freeway with out requiring arms on the wheel. A driver-monitoring digicam will ensure my eyes are pointed in the fitting path, however as soon as the LEDs within the steering wheel glow inexperienced, I am OK to relaxation my arms awkwardly in my lap. The system is a bit more jittery than I bear in mind in bigger autos, seemingly owing to the EUV’s tall sides and slim physique, however typically it makes {smooth} inputs and does a fairly good job approximating human driving.

Each EUV will get a ten.2-inch touchscreen on the dashboard operating the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus system, which is responsive, straightforward on the eyes and even simpler to navigate. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, alongside a wi-fi system charger and a pair of USB ports (one USB-A, one USB-C) per row. A second, 8-inch show takes the place of the gauge cluster, delivering all of the pertinent info I would like concerning the automobile in certainly one of two kinds.

On the protection entrance, all EUV trims include computerized emergency braking, lane-keeping help, lane-departure warning and Chevy’s Teen Driver suite, which may restrict sure options when your progeny takes the automobile for the evening. The Premier beefs that up with rear parking sensors, a rearview digicam mirror, a surround-view digicam system, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise management. LT patrons can add most of these options on the bottom trim for $495, which is sweet, whereas Tremendous Cruise is restricted to Premier trims and carries a $2,200 price ticket.

The Bolt EUV’s inside does away with most of the laborious, crappy plastics that homeowners and critics did not actually get pleasure from on earlier fashions.

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Each trims are aggressively priced, even earlier than federal or native tax incentives are counted. The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV’s LT trim begins at $33,995 together with vacation spot, whereas the Premier trim asks a decent $38,495. There is a $5,430 Launch Version Bundle for the Bolt EUV that provides each choice, along with distinctive wheels, a brand new badge and an illuminated cost port, as effectively. My tester is kind of totally loaded, and it is available in at $43,495 earlier than incentives.

The Chevy Bolt’s opponents was few and much between, however instances have modified. If you’d like one thing a little bit extra all the way down to earth (actually), extra conventional hatchbacks just like the Kia Niro EV and Nissan Leaf can be found, whereas crossover-friendly of us can discover competitors from the Hyundai Kona Electrical and Volvo XC40 Recharge, though the latter is fairly pricey. Each with and with out competitors factored in, although, the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a stellar electrical car, with a smooth-cruising nature and loads of the most recent cabin tech.