The larger 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV is a welcome addition to the Bolt EV. The Bolt EUV is a great commuter SUV with decent space and fairly good range to help it compete in this ever-growing segment. While Chevrolet’s Bolt competes directly against the Nissan Leaf hatchback, the Bolt EUV has carved out a impressive niche by being both smaller and much more affordable that the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y crossovers.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Review



The Bolt EUV wraps a conventional crossover body around a commendable interior. It’s space-efficient and laid out to maximize ease of use, for sure. The Bolt EUV sits some 6.3 inches longer than the Bolt EV on which it’s based and has a wheelbase that’s 2.9 inches longer. It’s difficult to see the difference unless the two are parked with each other: the EUV’s roof rails extend a bit longer, though both share a floating-roof design and LED taillights that bridge the rear end, along with the bowtie badge. The best way to tell them apart individually is by the EUV’s deeper front-end appearance.

The Bolt EUV drives like heavy compact car, and that’s a good thing. It’s quick to peel off from a stoplight, thanks to its electric drivetrain. With a single electric motor up front, it churns out 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, which twists in near silence to those front wheels as it scurries from 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds.


Handling isn’t the Bolt’s forte, but it tracks well and steers with more attentiveness than many electric cars, despite a generous on-center steering zone. Compared to a gas hatchback, it’s heavy at 3,679 for the EUV, so it’s less crisp on winding byways, where the low-rolling-resistance tires show little of the zeal that’s embedded in the battery and motors. The Bolt uses its tires instead to iron smooth any road wrinkles that its prodigious weight can’t smother.


The Bolt EUV operates in a “normal” drive mode that permits coasting and creeping to mimic a gas-powered car. Tap a switch on the console and the regenerative braking boost enables a one-pedal drive mode that slows it almost to a stop from a brisk pace. The efficient powertrain can travel at a rate of more than 3.0 miles/kwh. On long-distance drives it can eke out range figures close to those posted by the EPA.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Review



With the larger 66-kwh battery pack introduced in 2020, the Bolts EUV earns EPA ratings of up to 247 miles, and 115 MPGe. Charging takes about 10 hours on the recommended home setup; at DC fast-charging stations, the Bolt EUV can recharge about 100 miles in a half-hour at a 50-kw (or 55-kw, under some conditions) charging rate. That slower rate means it can take the Bolt longer to charge to 80% of its capacity that it might take a Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Bolt EUV hasn’t been crash-tested by the IIHSA but the NHTSA awards it a 5-star rating. The Bolt now has standard automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and active lane control. Rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitors come in an option package, as does a rear camera mirror. Super Cruise can only be fitted to the Bolt EUV. The system allows hands-free driving assistance that monitors the car and the driver while they hit the road on a mapped network of 200,000 miles of divided highways.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Review

In the cockpit, the 10.2-inch touchscreen carries over, but the surrounding dash streamlines the two-tone layers of the old Bolt EV. The center stack no longer juts out like a pouty lower lip and is instead flush against the dash. The climate controls run in a neat horizontal line, and a new push-button gear selector opens up space in the narrow center console for a wireless charger that bridges the stack and console. Along with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, it’s roomier for knees.

The tall Bolt EUV crossover has ample cargo space behind the fold-down rear seats, but the seats themselves lack the bolsters and padding that yield the best comfort. Tall and narrow, with high-mounted seats that have power adjustment on some models, the Bolt’s chairs feel like hard barstools five minutes before last call. Thin seat padding and an upright driving position pair with short seat bottoms to feel economical in a way that doesn’t match the Bolt’s advanced powertrain and price.

Four adults can fit inside, and they have excellent head and leg room. Entry and exit, and outward vision, are excellent. A third person can squeeze in the back seat for short trips, but they’ll bring a range and comfort penalty with them. The Bolt EUV can hold 16.3 cubic feet behind the back seat, or 56.9 cubic feet with those seatbacks folded down.

Chevy scores with good Bolt connectivity and technology, but there’s no more federal tax credit. We give the Bolt EUV high marks for features and impressive value, thanks to excellent infotainment and standard equipment, and for the availability of Super Cruise. To combat losing this year’s federal tax credit, Chevrolet has cut the price down $5,500 to $34,495 in base LT spec. The LT comes with power features and a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay/Amazon Alexa compatibility, as well as an 11.5-kw onboard charger. Wireless smartphone charging can be fitted.

The loaded Bolt EUV Premier model can cost $37,500 with extra-cost paint, Bose audio, and adaptive cruise control. It adds a rear camera mirror, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot monitors, heated front and rear seats, leather upholstery, and rear parking sensors. The Bolt EUV tops out at more than $43,690 when fitted with a panoramic roof and Super Cruise. Its warranty of 3-year/36,000-mile plan is average.

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a competitive and unique offering in the burgeoning small EV vehicle class. With 247 miles, the EUV offers tangible real-world range that under certain circumstances comes close to 300 miles. Besides range, the 2022 Bolt is also packs an incredibly spacious and versatile interior into its small footprint along with impressive value. So if a small affordable crossover EV is in your future, the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV definitely deserves a look.

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Design
Performance
Infotainment System and Tech Features
Fuel Economy
Value
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Car fanatic journalist living in the PNW covering all things automotive.
2022-chevrolet-bolt-euv-review-the-ev-of-cute-utesThe 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a competitive and unique offering in the burgeoning small EV vehicle class. With 247 miles, the EUV offers tangible real-world range that under certain circumstances comes close to 300 miles. Besides range, the 2022 Bolt is also packs an incredibly spacious and versatile interior into its small footprint along with impressive value.