Tesla Model 3 Vs. Chevrolet Bolt EV: Can the Bolt Compete With the Entry-Level Tesla in 2023?
Unlike the Tesla Model 3, the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV will be discontinued after the 2023 model year. The news comes after the Bolt earned General Motors (GM) its most successful quarter of electric vehicle (EV) sales to date, but it couldn’t save the budget-friendly EV. Still, despite its incipient demise, the Bolt EV managed to undercut one of the most successful EVs on the market, Tesla’s Model 3. So, how does the outgoing 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV compare to the most affordable Tesla EV in terms of performance, price, and utility?
How far will the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV go?
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV has an EPA estimated range of 259 miles at both the 1LT and 2LT trims. The Chevy EV’s range is courtesy of a 65-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack and a single, 200-horsepower electric motor driving the front wheels.
However, the Bolt EV’s affordability and 259-mile range make it one of the best values in the electric car segment. Moreover, the Bolt’s range is enough to double the Mini Electric Hardtop’s range and out-last the comparable Nissan LEAF. Still, the Chevrolet model can’t compete with the entry-level Model 3’s long legs; Tesla says the rear-wheel drive (RWD) Model 3 will cover around 272 miles on a single charge.
What should I pay for a 2023 Chevy Bolt?
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV starts at around $26,595 for the entry-level 1LT trim. Fortunately, that starting price point reflects a $5,900 decrease from the previous model year. However, that decrease doesn’t fully offset the loss of the $7,500 federal tax credit for the 2023 model year.
The upper-trim 2LT trim adds posh interior features like perforated heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 360-degree camera setup. However, the 2LT also bumps the price of the entry-level 1LT by around $3,200.
Compared to the entry-level Tesla Model 3, the outgoing Bolt EV is a bargain. Specifically, the 2023 Tesla Model 3 base starts at $40,240. However, the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive qualifies for a $3,750 tax credit, which could drop the price to around $37,840. However, that still puts the posher Tesla model over $10,000 above the Bolt EV’s starting price.
How big is the trunk of a Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV has seating for five and about 17.0 cubic feet of cargo volume behind its rear seats. However, with its hatchback construction, the Bolt EV will accommodate around 57 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 packs nearly 20 cubic feet of cargo volume. However, the Model 3 will stretch that cargo space to 43 cubic feet with its back seats folded down, per Rechargd. As a result, the Tesla EV will accommodate more than the Bolt EV with its rear seats up but less with the seats folded.
