2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV review
Chevrolet Bolt EV highlights
Customer rating
RepairPal reliability rating
(data not available)
Pros
- Long electric range
- Ample and spacious cabin
- Pleasurable driving experience
Cons
- Lacks built-in navigation
- Small seat cushions
- Lacks comfort on rough roads
238 miles
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Long-range electric fun
A five-passenger compact electric vehicle with great range and a quiet, comfortable cabin, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a great choice if you're looking to try something new. This hatchback makes it easy to navigate crowded city streets and narrow parking spaces. It's also fun to drive, with quick acceleration and good handling that is sure to be appreciated by driving enthusiasts. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt is equipped with a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 200 hp electric motor that produces 266 lb-ft of torque. Plenty of cargo room and lots of standard tech features round out the list of arguments in favor of the Bolt, with quick charging as an added bonus that you'll no doubt find helpful on your next road trip.
All Chevrolet Bolt EV years
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV trims
LT:
Comes with automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio system, and much more.
Premium:
Includes upgrades such as leather seats, heated rear seats, camera-based rearview mirror, cargo roof rails, and more.
5 reasons to buy the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
1. Long range
Range and charging time are, understandably, some of the deciding factors when you're shopping for an EV. The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is equipped with a large, 60 kWh battery that provides an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range on a full charge.
2. Compact and practical
Another thing that makes the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV an attractive choice is its compact size, which makes it practical for everyday use around town. It's 164 inches long and 69.5 inches wide, with a boxy, compact shape that makes getting in and out of tight parking spots an easy task. Driving on busy city streets is also a breeze in a car of this shape and size, so it's a great solution if you're looking for something for daily use in urban areas.
3. Pleasure to drive
While it's not a high-performance car, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is still quite fun to drive. As is typical of an electric vehicle, it accelerates quickly, going from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, according to the manufacturer, when new. This helps when passing other vehicles and getting on to highways, where the responsive steering and smooth handling make for confident driving and a pleasant riding experience for all passengers.
4. Spacious interior
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is surprisingly spacious, with enough room to seat five people comfortably. The front headroom measures 39.7 inches, and the front legroom is 41.6 inches. In the back, there are 37.9 inches of headroom and 36.5 inches of legroom. The trunk offers 16.9 cu-ft of space, with the total cargo capacity increasing to 56.6 cu-ft with the rear seats folded. This kind of space puts the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV ahead of many of its electric hatchback counterparts.
5. Connectivity and entertainment
On top of functionality and convenience, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV provides a great overall experience thanks to its standard connectivity and entertainment features. It comes standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration, along with an eight-inch driver information display. Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system is also included, as well as satellite radio, Bluetooth® connectivity and two USB ports.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is an electric SUV with seating for five. It's a spacious and utilitarian vehicle, with models 2019-2021 powered by a 201 hp electric motor and a 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Kona Electric is offered in three trims, with a maximum EPA-estimated range of 258 miles on 2019-2021 models with a full charge.
Standard features on 2019-2021 Hyundai Kona Electric include:
Seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Automatic climate control
Forward collision warning
Automatic emergency braking
The Toyota Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid that provides a smooth and quiet ride in a spacious and well-equipped cabin. 2017-2021 models have seating for four and are powered by a 1.8L four-cylinder engine, combined with two electric motors for a total output of 121 hp.
If you opt for a 2017-2021 Toyota Prius Prime, you can look forward to these standard features:
Navigation
Seven-inch touchscreen
Heated front seats
Bluetooth connectivity
Distinguished by its unique boxy shape, The Kia Soul EV is the electric version of the compact hatchback bearing the same name. Models from 2017-2019 come with a 109 hp electric motor and a 27 kWh battery pack, delivering an EPA-estimated 93 miles of range when fully charged.
The 2017-2019 Kia Soul EV comes with a series of standard features, such as:
Eight-inch touchscreen
Navigation
Kia's Uvo infotainment system
Automatic climate control
Heated front seats
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Ratings & reliability
Chevrolet Bolt EV features and specs
LT 2WD 4D Hatchback
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Front Seat Heaters
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Lane Departure Warning
- Parking Sensors
- Smart Key
Battery details Size
60.0 kWh
Range when new (EPA estimate)
238 miles
Estimated range today
173 - 258 miles
Est. range in 3 years
169 - 255 miles
Is this battery range helpful?Other specifications Drive Wheels
2WD
Engine size
0.0L
Engine type
Electric
Wheelbase
102.4"
Overall length
164"
Width
69.5"
Height
62.8"
Leg room
F 41.6"/R 36.5"
Head room
F 39.7"/R 37.9"
Front tires
P215/50R17
Rear tires
P215/50R17
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV FAQ
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt can go up to 238 miles on one charge according to the EPA, which is more than many similar electric vehicles. This is thanks to the large, 60 kWh battery, which sends power to a single electric motor with 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque.
Range figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new and assume a full battery charge. Range will vary based on things like battery age, vehicle condition and history, driving and charging habits, accessory use, and driving conditions. Battery capacity may decrease with time and use. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
You can take your Bolt EV through the car wash without worry. There is detailed information and instructions in the car's owner's manual on what you need to do depending on whether the vehicle needs to be on or off, and whether you need to be in or out of the vehicle.
The Chevy Bolt doesn't have a range extender, but it's highly unlikely that you will need one, because of the great range it already has. When fully charged, it can go an EPA-estimated 238 miles before you need to recharge it, which means you will probably only have to recharge it overnight and won't experience any range anxiety during the day.
Range figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new and assume a full battery charge. Range will vary based on things like battery age, vehicle condition and history, driving and charging habits, accessory use, and driving conditions. Battery capacity may decrease with time and use. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
More about the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Color options
Exterior colors:
Arctic Blue Metallic
Cajun Red Tintcoat
Kinetic Blue Metallic
Mosaic Black Metallic
Nightfall Gray Metallic
Summit White
Orange Burst Metallic
Interior colors:
Dark Galvanized/Sky Cool Gray
Interior details
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV has five seats, lined with deluxe cloth upholstery. Hard-plastic materials are standard across the cabin, as are manually-adjustable front seats. The top-tier Premium trim includes heated rear seats and leather upholstery, as well as a center rear armrest. There is 16.9 cu-ft of cargo space behind the rear seats, and a total of 56.6 cu-ft with the rear seats folded.
Child seat details
There are two sets of LATCH connectors and a tether anchor for child seats in the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. You can either put two seats on the sides or one in the middle of the rear seat. You can fit both forward- and rear-facing seats with ease, thanks to the large door opening and easy-to-reach anchors.
Performance
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is powered by a 200 hp electric motor connected to the front wheels. The 60 kWh battery means it'll do an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles on a full charge. While this might look like an unassuming hatchback, the instant torque means it has a zero-to-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds (according to the manufacturer, when new).
Year comparisons
2017–2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV (First generation)
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is still in its first generation, which started with the 2017 model year. It employs a specially designed platform, the GM BEV2. It's powered by a 200 hp electric motor and it's equipped with a 10.2-inch touchscreen and a TFT color instrument display. In 2022, the Bolt EV had a refresh with striking new styling inside and out.
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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