The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV is the most affordable new electric vehicle. And despite its low price, it doesn’t skimp on safety. Advanced safety features, along with the Bolt’s decent specs, make this EV an underdog in the segment. Here’s a look at the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV and its many ADAS and safety features. 

Overview of the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV

Unlike automakers that have raised their car prices, Chevrolet slashed the Bolt EV’s MSRP. The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV starts at around $26,500, and its top trim starts at just under $30,000. And those prices are before potential incentives. As of this writing, the Bolt doesn’t qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. However, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bolt might qualify in the future, but Chevrolet’s parent company, General Motors, will need to change a few things because the law has some new made-in-America requirements.

The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV packs an electric motor producing 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, giving this small hatchback good acceleration. It needs only 6.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Plus, its range is decent — an estimated 259 miles on a full charge. Users can also fast-charge the Bolt; it can recharge 100 miles of range in only 30 minutes. 

2023 Chevy Bolt EV safety features and ADAS

The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV also boasts an extensive suite of safety features and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). This suite, called Chevy Safety Assist, is standard on both Bolt EV trims, according to Chevrolet. The package provides common ADAS, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, but also some rarer ADAS, such as automatic high beams. 

Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and front pedestrian braking all work by using sensors in the car to detect what’s in front of it. When the EV senses an obstacle, it warns drivers and automatically applies the brakes. The Bolt also comes standard with lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and a following distance indicator. Those ADAS help keep the vehicle in its lane and help the driver maintain a safe distance from other cars.

In addition, Chevrolet offers optional ADAS on the base-model 2023 Chevy Bolt EV 1LT, which are standard on the higher trim, the 2LT. They include lane change alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. Like other ADAS, these car safety features use sensors to help the driver maintain awareness of their surroundings. A 360-degree camera is also standard on the 2LT, and adaptive cruise control is an exclusive option for the top trim.

Do ADAS really improve safety?

Advanced safety features and ADAS can be very helpful, though many still require the driver to pay attention to the road. Most of the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV’s ADAS provide the driver with only a warning, but some actively react automatically. Either way, advanced driver-assistance systems have been shown to be effective at keeping drivers and passengers safer.

For example, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, which are included on the 2023 Bolt EV, can reduce front-to-rear crashes by 27%, according to the automotive technology company Aptiv.

Adaptive cruise control is also an ADAS. And though it can make some drives less boring by allowing your vehicle to follow the car ahead of it, it’s still important to be alert and pay attention to your surroundings when adaptive cruise control is engaged.