A Thoughtful Interior Sets the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV Over the Top
The Chevrolet Bolt was an early electric car that debuted in 2017. Since then, it has built its reputation on affordability and great value. The Chevy Bolt EV offers a fun driving experience, surprising interior space for a compact car, and an impressive driving range.
The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV still offers those qualities, but this year it’s Edmunds’ best electric car. What’s new with the 2023 model year that earned it this important distinction?
The best electric car, according to Edmunds
The Chevy Bolt EV has been on Edmunds‘ radar since its introduction. The site’s reviewers have always appreciated that it is fun to drive, offers a good driving range, and isn’t as expensive as some of its peers. Now with more competition in the market, the automotive outlet feels the Bolt is still worth considering for the value it offers.
While there weren’t major changes in 2023, Edmunds still likes its quick acceleration and driving range for the price. The Bolt has an EPA-estimated driving range of 259 miles on a full charge. Meanwhile, Edmunds got 278 miles of driving range on its real-world EV range loop.
On top of the acceleration and driving range, the interior has been improved in the latest model, which Edmunds explains makes it an even better value. It was already affordably priced, but now it’s been discounted by Chevy, and it meets the conditions for the latest federal EV tax credit rules.
How the Chevy Bolt EV performed
The new Bolt reached 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds which Edmunds finds to be suitable for an EV in its price range. Power is there when you need it to navigate the highways. The braking system is solid and offers the option of using single-pedal mode or regenerative braking. Additionally, its handling is confident, with good steering feedback and feel.
Inside, the 2023 Chevy Bolt seating has more padding for improved comfort, even on longer trips. The suspension struggles a little to absorb the blows from the road. Meanwhile, on smooth roads, it drives well. As for the infotainment system, it’s user-friendly, responds quickly, and the cabin is relatively quiet.
Regarding value, the 2023 Chevy Bolt is hard to beat. The base price was dropped, and now that it qualifies again for the $7,500 federal tax credit, it’s the best deal you’ll find on a new EV. It has a basic warranty of three years/36,000 miles. Coverage is eight years/100,000 miles for electric components. Drivers also get complimentary maintenance up to 24,000 miles and roadside assistance for five years/60,000 miles.
The thoughtful interior of the Bolt EV
The 2023 Chevy Bolt offers a better interior than the previous model year, which helped it secure its position as the top electric car of the model year, according to Edmunds.
A lot of thought was given to the interior, with its well-placed controls and physical knobs to the left of the touchscreen for tuning and volume. The instrument panel is digital and can be programmed to show all vital information like battery status, driver efficiency, and power output. Chevrolet switched out the shift lever for a row of buttons to control the transmission, which takes a little getting used to.
The seats have enough padding to be comfortable now, and better materials are used. Chevy added adaptive cruise control and compatibility for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to make Bolt more competitive. The driver’s seat is also adjustable opposite a telescoping steering wheel, making for a pleasant driving experience. With the available 360-degree camera system, visibility is even better.
With its tall roofline, the Bolt is more spacious than you would think. The passenger space is narrow but offers generous head and legroom. Edmunds appreciated what they called “Peek-a-boo windows” that allow you to see past the roof pillars in the front.
