Who would’ve thought that a few minor tweaks to a compact electric car could transform the Chevy Bolt into an SUV? Though the Bolt EUV doesn’t look like a traditional sport utility vehicle, it still boasts SUV features, including a few stylistic lines. 

U.S. News includes the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV in its roundup of the cheapest electric SUVs this year. In fact, it’s the least expensive EV listed. So, how well does it perform, and what does it offer?

How the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV performs

The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV can travel about 250 miles on a single charge. Full recharging takes about seven hours using a 240-volt outlet. There’s a 110-volt option, too. 

A 65 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a single electric motor produce 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Using a DC fast-charging station, you can shorten the charging time quite a bit. In fact, U.S. News reports you can recoup 95 miles of range in as little as 30 minutes using the fast-charging option. 

The Chevy Bolt EUV provides a comfortable ride even on uneven surfaces. Traveling on winding roads doesn’t affect it either — it can remain sure-footed at all times.

However, the main downside to the Bolt EUV is its lack of an all-wheel-drive option. 

The Chevy Bolt EUV’s features

The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV’s interior offers plenty of legroom for front and rear passengers. In fact, the back seats come with three inches more space to accommodate adults. Cargo space isn’t bad either, despite the EUV’s small stature. With 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back row, you can haul plenty of groceries or enough camping gear for a couple of people. 

One of the most interesting features has to be Super Cruise, which General Motors hasn’t installed in any other vehicle outside the Cadillac lineup until now. The Chevy Bolt EUV uses LiDar scanning and mapping to accomplish semiautonomous driving on compatible roads. The system can detect traffic flow around it and change lanes when safe to do so. 

The Chevy Bolt EUV also boasts an easy-to-use infotainment system with a large central 10.2-inch touchscreen. Its interface is simple, and the display comes with a few physical buttons to control the audio system and climate control. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, and HD Radio all come standard in the Bolt EUV. 

How much does the 2022 model cost?

Starting at a reasonable $33,995, the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV comes in three trim levels. The base-model LT has a push-button start, rearview camera, cloth upholstery, LED headlights and taillights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

A few LT trim packages are also available for an up-charge. The first is the Driver’s Confidence package, with items like rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring for $495. The Comfort package adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated seats for $895. The last is the Convenience package, with ventilated front seating, black and silver accents, and leather upholstery for $1,695.

The Premier trim starts at $38,495, U.S. News reports. It includes all the features of the previous model’s optional packages and adds adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking system. For optional packages, it offers the Sun and Sound, which adds a panoramic sunroof and a Bose sound system for $2,495. The Super Cruise package costs an additional $2,200.

The top-tier trim is the Launch Edition, providing everything the Premier model offers plus the additional packages. However, Chevrolet isn’t taking any more reservations for this trim level at this time. This model starts at $43,495.

Overall, the brand-new Chevy Bolt EUV offers more fun features, smooth driving dynamics, and rarer amenities than the previous model year. It’s so exciting that it could give the Tesla Model 3 a serious run for its money.