2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV review
Chevrolet Bolt EV highlights
Customer rating
RepairPal reliability rating
(data not available)
Pros
- All-electric powertrain
- Brisk acceleration
- Many standard features
Cons
- Lackluster interior feel
- Seats are fairly small and lack cushioning
- Infotainment system relies on a paired smartphone for maps
238 miles
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A compact EV with lots to love.
The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV is Chevy's first all-electric vehicle from an automaker with over 100 years of vehicle-production history. Featuring an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range (on a full charge), a 7.2 kW onboard charger for overnight charging, and road trip-ready DC fast-charging capability of adding up to 90 miles of range in approximately 30 minutes, the Chevrolet Bolt EV checks a lot of boxes to help you consider making the switch to an EV. 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. Explore our customers' reviews and ratings, key features, and much more about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV.
All Chevrolet Bolt EV years
What is new for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
- Bolt EV trims have been upgraded with Parking Sensors as standard equipment this year.
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV trims
LT
Includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, cloth seats, 10.2-inch color touchscreen infotainment, manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel, remote keyless entry with passive unlock and push-button start, and more.
Premier
Adds 17-inch machined aluminum wheels, heated leather seats at all four outboard positions, heated steering wheel, available Bose 7-speaker sound system, available driver assistance features, and more.
Chevrolet Bolt EV photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
1. Pure electric power
The 2018 Chevy Bolt EV's range is an EPA-estimated 238 miles on a full charge, meaning this compact crossover has enough electric power to get you where you need to go and is competitive with newer EVs on the market.
2. Two great trims
The 2018 Chevy Bolt EV comes in two trims, the entry-level Bolt EV LT and the top Bolt EV Premier. While technically the base model, the Bolt EV LT is anything but barren inside. Standard is the large 10.2-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity. LT trim also features seating for five, a digital gauge cluster, and LED lighting both inside and out.
Chevy Bolt EV Premier models up the ante with heated front seats and steering wheel, rear camera mirror with surround vision, lane-change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking assist. No matter which trim you choose, you are still landing a well-equipped vehicle.
3. Plenty of power
Most of the buzz around EVs is down to quick acceleration times, however, the 2018 Chevy Bolt EV takes a more mainstream approach to electric commuting. There is only one powertrain available in either trim and it's routed to the front wheels through a single-speed transmission. With its 60kWh lithium-ion battery pack and single electric motor, the Bolt EV produces 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty quick for a daily commute and packs a nice little punch allowing for easy passing power on the highway.
Chevrolet claims a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of under seven seconds (when new). It's the instant torque, though, that makes the Bolt almost feel like a sports car when you put your foot down.
4. Adaptive driving dynamic
Another benefit of the Chevy Bolt EV is the driving dynamics its electric powertrain offers. First is the one-pedal driving, which allows you to modulate the speed of the vehicle while only using the accelerator pedal. This is achieved by capturing unused energy using regenerative braking to slow the vehicle when you lift your foot from the accelerator and can even bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The traditional brakes can still be used through the brake pedal.
Second, pressing the “SPORT" button on the dash engages sport mode and provides more responsive acceleration for an exciting driving experience.
Lastly, the weight of the batteries placed down low below the floor of the vehicle means the driving characteristics are more planted than cars of similar size. This, coupled with the near-instant torque of the electric motor, allows the Chevy Bolt EV to feel much more athletic than its size would suggest.
5. Modern interior
The driver is treated to a three-spoke steering wheel and an eight-inch driver-information screen in place of traditional analog gauges. This screen estimates range scenarios and gives you a look at the energy usage and distribution.
The 10.2-inch color touchscreen in the center of the dash is the star of the interior, though. Not only does it control the standard six-speaker or optional Bose® stereo system of the Bolt EV, but it also helps improve your driving efficiency by coaching you in techniques to improve your vehicle's range.
Below the 10.2-inch screen are the HVAC controls, a storage area with room for bags or purses, an electronic drive selector, and two cup holders for front-seat passengers.
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Ratings & reliability
Chevrolet Bolt EV features and specs
Premier 2WD 4D Hatchback
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Leather Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- BOSE Sound System
- Lane Departure Warning
Battery details Size
60.0 kWh
Range when new (EPA estimate)
238 miles
Estimated range today
175 - 259 miles
Est. range in 3 years
171 - 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
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV FAQ
There are a couple of ways to precondition your Bolt EV. The first is using the key fob when you are in sight of the vehicle. Simply lock the vehicle, then push and hold the button with the circular arrow until the vehicle turns on.
The second is through the myChevrolet app. This requires an active subscription to Chevy's connected services but can be done from anywhere your phone and car have a cellular connection.
Yes. Depending on the electrical outlet in your home, you can see charging speeds from about four miles of range added per hour on a standard electrical outlet to 26 miles of range added per hour with a portable charger plugged into a 240-volt appliance outlet. Either of these can be accomplished with a portable charger and require no additional electrical work to install beyond using the available plug.
Hard-wired home charging with up to 80 amps of current will add up to 39 miles of charge per hour but require additional electrical work to install.
With its front-wheel-drive layout, the Bolt EV is easier to drive in the snow versus a rear-wheel-drive platform. Without a dual-motor all-wheel-drive option, traction is not optimized for inclement conditions, but power delivery is linear and predictable and StabiliTrak with traction control shouldn't leave you spinning in the snow.
More about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Color options
Exterior colors:
Arctic Blue Metallic
Cajun Red Tintcoat
Kinetic Blue Metallic
Mosaic Black Metallic
Nightfall Gray Metallic
Orange Burst Metallic
Silver Ice Metallic (Premier only)
Summit White
Interior colors:
Dark Galvanized Gray/Sky Cool Gray Two-Tone
Dark Galvanized Gray
Light Ash Gray/Ceramic White Two-Tone
Interior details
The interior of the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a unique departure from other Chevy models in the lineup. First is the use of asymmetrical two-tone seat color options. In all models except those with the Dark Galvanized Gray leather seats, the front seats have a two-tone design that lacks the accent color on the inboard side of the seat, which gives the interior a style that's unlike other models. The dash also incorporates large color screens for interfacing with the vehicle, surrounded by two-tone plastics.
Interior packaging is optimized for the electric platform with intentional storage spaces for bags, tablets, and other accessories in areas you would not typically expect from a vehicle with the Bolt's small stature. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats assist in carrying larger items and offer up to 56.6 cu-ft of maximum storage. Leave the seats up and rear-seat passengers are treated to 36-inches of legroom.
Child seat details
The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV receives a “marginal" score for child seats from the IIHS. Both rear outboard seats have two lower anchors that are easy to maneuver around but are buried deep in the seat. The middle seat location has no lower anchors and must solely use the seatbelt for lower latch points. All three rear seats have an easy-to-find rear tether anchor on the back of the seat.
Performance
There is only one powertrain offered in the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, a 60kWh lithium-ion battery powering a single 200-hp electric motor spinning the front wheels. The electric driveline of this vehicle means that the 266 lb-ft of torque is available to you almost instantly, without waiting for a transmission to find the right gear as it would in a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle with an automatic transmission. This gives the Bolt EV a spritely driving character that makes it feel quick on its feet. In fact, Chevrolet claims a zero-to-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds.
Under the right driving conditions, Chevrolet also claims up to an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range on a single charge, making this a very competitive entry into the EV market.
Year comparison
2016–Present Chevrolet Bolt EV (First Generation)
With its 200-hp electric powertrain and an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles on a full charge, the Bolt EV has been a good choice even since its first generation.
For 2022, the Bolt EV received a facelift both inside and out, and a Bolt EUV (electric utility vehicle) became available. Updates for the 2022 Bolt EV model year include new paint options, updated interior with a push-button drive selector, new 1LT and 2LT trims to replace LT and Premier, standard DC fast charging, a faster 11.5 kW onboard charger, a larger 65kWh battery with updated 259 miles of maximum range on a single charge, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity, and increased interior cargo space now totaling 57 cu-ft with the rear seats folded.
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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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