2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV

In the raging battle for EV supremacy, General Motors was one of the first brands on the scene with an affordable EV in the form of the Chevrolet Bolt EV. While it's had its fair share of drama in the last few years, 2023 is looking up for America's most affordable electric car. Still based on an older electric platform, this subcompact hatchback competes against the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Mini Cooper SE with 200 horsepower and 259 miles of EPA-rated driving range. Prices have been slashed for the new model year, meaning the Bolt EV now represents better value than ever. This fun-to-drive subcompact proves that the affordable EV is a reality while not skimping on safety and convenience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV has a starting price of $25,600, which excludes tax, registration, and a destination fee of $995. This makes the Bolt one of the cheapest EVs on the market right now, alongside the Nissan Leaf, and undercuts the Tesla Model 3 by more than ten grand. With only two trim levels to choose from, limited configurations are available, but even 2LT Bolt EV models won't cost you an arm and a leg. The 2LT has an MSRP of $28,800.

The Bolt EV will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax rebate from 1 January 2023, but Bolts purchased prior are not eligible.

The Chevy Bolt makes use of a skateboard-type chassis design that places the battery pack in a low position between the front and rear excel. The result is a car that remains flat in the corners and offers impressive handling. The Bolt EV has light steering that is quick to respond but doesn't offer massive feedback. This is perfect for city driving (where this car will spend most of its life) but not fantastic for canyon carving. We did notice that the impressive torque on offer can overwhelm the skinny tires, but that is resolved by using a light foot on the accelerator. The braking feel is slightly simulated, but we do like the strength of the regenerative braking system, which allows you to almost never use the brakes.

Chevrolet has ironed out most of the issues that have plagued this little EV, and it remains the most affordable electric vehicle in America, so there's that. The exterior styling might not be as sleek as the Tesla Model 3, but its hatchback design affords it tons of practicality and interior space. Speaking of the interior, the design is cute, and while the base model suffers from some cheap materials, the 2LT trim adds a ton of refinement, and the infotainment system is one of the best we've experienced. The powertrain is more than capable of moving this little EV around and is punchy enough for acuity traffic and even a bit of highway cruising. The 259-mile range is even more accessible thanks to DC fast charging. The Bolt EV remains the most affordable and practical in this class. No review of the Chevrolet Bolt would be complete without mentioning the battery fire woes it's suffered from, but for 2023 these have been entirely ironed out, and the Bolt EV is once again an electric car with massive curb appeal.

There's not much of a price difference between the 1LT and 2LT models, so we'd suggest saving a bit extra and going for the top-of-the-line version. Not only is the 2LT a nicer car to drive daily thanks to heated leather seats and improved tech, but it's also a safer car to drive thanks to its HD surround-view camera system and additional driver assistance systems.