The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt is back as a more affordable, more compact electric hatchback. Every model year was pulled along with the newly released Bolt EUV in late August for a battery recall after several vehicle fires. Its long hiatus came shortly after its refreshed reveal in 2021. Back on sale with replaced and repaired batteries, the Bolt EV still carries its reputation as a family or commuter car with excellent range and efficiency.

This year is the first that the original Bolt has a companion: the bigger Bolt EUV. With the new Bolt’s arrival, the original got a makeover inside and out. Its grille and front and backsides sport a new look and the front section rearranged with a new gear shifter and infotainment screen.

The original Bolt impressively keeps up with its new bigger sibling in terms of cargo space and roominess, except in the back row where the EUV has 3 inches on the smaller Bolt. Compared to similar cars like the base-model Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf its front section is super spacious, but it’s been pared down on premium features. It’s not as powerful as the Tesla, but almost as efficient. It offers considerably better range than the Leaf and much more than the Mini Cooper SE or Mazda MX-30.

 The Bolt EV keeps dropping in price while maintaining solid range and ample cargo space. Tall and small, it uses its footprint much like efficient conventional small cars, like the departed Honda Fit.  Sasha Lekach

Both trim levels (1L and 2L) come with the same size battery (65 kWh) and range (about 260 miles) and performance metrics. The base starts at $32,495 and the more feature-loaded 2L starts at $35,695. The higher trim is more about extra infotainment and safety features than road performance, which is solid but ultimately average. The Bolt can zip through traffic thanks to its instant torque, but feels a little unsteady at high speeds and in highway driving.  

The Bolt EV still has a cute roundedness with its short hatchback rear. Even with the new grille-less front it has a pleasant impishness to it. The front seats are large, but practical while the backseats are mostly there for function. Four passengers can travel quite comfortably, but the car is best with the backseat folded down to give segment-leading cargo space. 

More safety features are now standard, but the extra alerts from a $495 safety package make for a more comfortable ride. The wireless cellphone connectivity improves an outdated native system. Chevy has already announced a big price drop for the 2023 model, so bargain-hunters should stick with the Bolt EV for an even better deal. 

A redesigned front console area is simpler and streamlined, but less premium looking.  Sasha Lekach

Performance: 12/15

With its tall and small proportions and shortened front and rear overhangs, the Bolt can feel a bit flimsy at higher speeds and vulnerable to crosswinds. It’s in its element in city driving though. It’s comfortable in traffic and tight spaces and great at zipping around slower cars. Like the Leaf, the Bolt is much more of a city car and traditional small hatchback than the BMW 3 Series-targeted Tesla Model 3, but there still aren’t many conventional EV cars on the market.

The 65 kWh battery now has faster charging, and a new one-pedal driving button makes it easy to ride while regenerating power. But enabling the driving mode makes for a more sluggish and heavy driving feel, so don’t expect to launch forward. Opt for Sport mode for quick accelerator response time, but Chevy doesn’t give many options for driving modes or building a custom experience. On a windy drive, it handled the curves well. 

Its single motor means no all-wheel drive but it helps keep the weight down, which is always helpful given how heavy EV battery packs can be. The 3,589-pound car has 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the similar Nissan Leaf it can go zero-to-60 mph in under 7 seconds, quicker than the Leaf’s 8.4 seconds and about even with the Mini SE. The Bolt never feels sluggish even if it doesn’t elicit quite the same sporty vibe as the Mini.

Range, Energy Use & Charging: 14/15

With 259-mile range, the Bolt EV is an affordable solution to range anxiety, nearly matching the base Model 3 and surpassing even the Leaf Plus. It can handle road trips like any other long-range EV, and is even better for shorter, more common local driving errands. 

Its combined MPGe is an impressive 120, pushing ahead of the Leaf’s 108 and the bigger Ford Mustang Mach-E’s 103. Only Tesla’s EV surpasses it with 132 MPGe and a better 25 kWh/100 miles compared to the Bolt’s 28. It’s an efficient vehicle, and easy access to regenerative driving modes only makes it easier to stretch out the battery.

The 11.5 kW onboard charger is almost double those on older models, so it makes sense that charging is faster across the board. For 2022, Chevy made DC fast charging standard, which gets up to 100 miles of range after 30 minutes plugged in. On a Level 2 charger expect at least 7 hours connected for a full charge. At home on a Level 1 plug you’ll get only 50 miles for an overnight 12-hour charge. Chevy offers complimentary home installations for Level 2 charging, worth $1,250. Or it offers a $500 credit to the EVgo public charging network. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 12/15

For 2022, the Bolt EV now has a Chevy Safety Assist suite that comes standard. It includes lane keeping and departure warning, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking and other features.

For even more, a $495 driver confidence package on the 1LT trim adds rear park assist and cross-traffic alert as well as lane change alerts. For the 2LT version, $375 adds adaptive cruise control. The driver assistance screen icons and alerts feel dated, but it gets the message across. Don’t expect swanky graphics like Tesla’s Autopilot or anything close to General Motors’ Super Cruise hands-free driving.

It received official a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rating of five-stars in November. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rating was “Good” overall, but seat belts and child restraints were graded as “Marginal.” 

 The backseat isn’t that special, but it works well enough for passengers and the tall design makes it feel larger than the numbers suggest.  Sasha Lekach

Comfort & Room:14/15

The front section of the Bolt is downright huge, even for drivers over 6 feet. With large front windows and doors along with a deep foot area, it’s covertly a great car for tall motorists. At 44.3 inches, its legroom beats out the Model 3’s 42.7 and the Leaf’s 41.2. It even spans farther than the overall larger Ford Mustang Mach-E’s 43.3 front leg area.

The easy adjustability of the front seats was a welcome feature along with seat heaters although the seat material and firmness weren’t the most comfortable or premium. Backseat passengers didn’t need any adjustments and fit fine in a fully loaded Bolt. 

But legroom for backseat riders is more of an average experience, although still better than competitors: 36 inches. The Model 3 is a touch shorter at 35.2 inches, while the Leaf back row squeezes in 33.5 inches. For headroom, the taller hatchback still provides a pretty average 37.9 inches of space. For a better backseat experience go with the 3-inch longer EUV.

Infotainment: 12/15

The Bolt EV is well regarded for its electric stats readouts that make it clear how driving and different features affect energy use, but other functions for media and music on its 10.2-inch touchscreen are more limited. It’ll be easier and more familiar to sign onto the easy-to-connect wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With the 2022 refresh there’s finally a native navigation system, but it’s still clunky and slow compared to Apple or Google Maps. 

The Bose seven-speaker system in the upgraded 2LT was disappointing with tinny sound quality, making the $595 add-on seem unnecessary. Although wireless charging and two extra charging ports are a welcome addition. The driver display looks dated and can be cumbersome to navigate, but it has everything you need. It took a few days to realize the steering wheels controls for volume and channels were behind the wheel. 

The hatch area is already big, but it becomes massive with the seats down. The Bolt makes maxiumum use of its tall-and-small footprint.  Sasha Lekach

Cargo Space & Storage: 13/15

The Bolt’s trunk is already fairly spacious at 16.3 cubic-feet before easily dropping the back seats flat. Once folded it expands to 56.9 cubes. The back of the Model 3 is tighter at 15 cubic-feet, while the Leaf has a bigger trunk with the seats up (23.6 cubic-feet). With seats down, the Bolt dominates the Leaf’s tiny 30 cubic-feet. Even though it’s smaller than Chevy’s new Bolt EUV, it weirdly has similar storage capacity.  A “secret” compartment underneath the trunk floor makes for a good spot for valuables and charging cables. Sadly there’s no front trunk, or “frunk.”

Don’t let the small size of the Bolt EV ruin packing plans. The hatchback opens up the back half of the EV (it’s 63.4 inches tall, while the Model 3 is 57 and the Leaf is 60.2) and could even pack in three 7.5-footlong surfboards (though only while passengerless and parked). 

The backseat has simple pouches for storage and not much else. Up front the reconfigured center console houses an open-sided compartment, perfect for purses and small bags with easy access. The armrest compartment opens up with a deep cavern, but it’s not that useful. The glove compartment is tight, but functional.

Style & Design: 8/10

The Bolt EV is undoubtedly “cute” with its short front and back ends—it’s a full half-foot shorter than the SUV-like EUV version. The front redesign gives it something of a grin on the now grille-less face. Compared to the more angular Leaf and wide-stanced fastback Model 3, the Bolt EV looks and feels narrow and rounded, in an adorable way. The grayish-blue color palette (there is a red and bright blue for an extra $395) adds to the kind and approachable look. The higher trim tire redesign makes the Bolt feel less like an electric Honda Fit.

Inside, the front zone feels toned down and less premium than the 2021 (and earlier) configuration. The steering wheel is thin without a solid grip, and the black seats are plasticky even with the leather-appointed trim for the 2L. The dark cloth in the base 1L could be a better option. Plastic side paneling throughout the car cheapens the interior experience. The new gear shifter takes getting used to, but it visually streamlines the cabin. 

The cute, rounded design remains on the refreshed Chevy Bolt EV.  Sasha Lekach

Is the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV Worth It? Which Bolt EV is the Best Value? 

With the price consistently dropping, it’s easy to be swayed toward the higher trims in the Chevy Bolt lineup. The top 2LT is $35,695 and has better driver assistance features and seating design. Combined with a $375 adaptive cruise control add-on, it will be a comfortable ride even without the $595 Infotainment package for better speakers (that still sounded tinny) and more charging ports.

For true bargain hunters stick with the base 1LT for $32,495 and tack on the $495 Driver Confidence package for extra safety alerts. Skip the $945 Comfort and Convenience package, which is just a pricey option for heated seats.

By next year, the higher trim will drop under $30,000, an even better deal. But keep in mind, the $7,500 federal EV tax credit is no more for all General Motors EVs.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV?

The Bolt EV should cost about the same to insure as its peers. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of 2,065, though this averages all 50 states. The Bolt EV should align with other similar EVs. A Chevy Bolt EUV owner might pay over $2,000 for the bigger EV, while the Tesla Model 3 is over $2,100 and the Nissan Leaf is $2,010. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.