The new look actually works.
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It’s obtained a brand new look and a few new tech, however not a lot else has modified for the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV. However, mix these smaller quality-of-life tweaks with a extra engaging price ticket — beginning round $5,500 cheaper than final 12 months — and the little Bolt begins to appear like a reasonably large worth.

LikePriced competitively for long-range classMore premium really feel and lookAdaptive cruise management is now out there

Don’t LikeDC quick charging nonetheless restricted to 55 kWNo Super Cruise freeway help

New look, new perspectiveThe most evident change to the 2022 Bolt EV is the brand new entrance fascia, which trades the playful, toy-like look of its predecessor for one thing extra grown-up and premium in look. Narrow LED signature lights sit the place the Bolt’s broad eyes used to reside. Meanwhile, the precise LED headlamps have been moved all the way down to the house previously occupied by the foglights. This flip-flop — which the Chevrolet Trailblazer additionally pulls off — offers the looks of super-slim, idea automobile headlights through the day whereas nonetheless providing enough illumination at evening.The two gentle clusters are linked by an angular slash of gloss black trim that helps to border the Bolt’s grille. Around again, the taillights are narrower; gone are final 12 months’s 3D squiggles, changed with a less complicated oval define that higher blends in with the hatchback’s rear glass. The bumper can be up to date with a thinner reflector bar, a repositioned single reverse gentle and a bigger space of black plastic that helps visually elevate the rear finish.

Interior updatesThe modifications to the cabin are maybe much more intensive. The 2022 Bolt options an all-new heart console that connects extra naturally to the dashboard than the earlier floating design. The shift lever is changed with a vertical financial institution of PRND buttons and a devoted button for the one-pedal driving mode. The new shifter additionally sits forward of the cupholders, which at the moment are a lot simpler to entry.Throughout the cabin, you may discover extra premium feeling supplies. While I’m just a little unhappy to see the loopy, high-contrast white theme go, the brand new look is far much less obnoxious and sure appeals to a broader set of drivers.

Less flashy than earlier than, the up to date inside options nicer supplies and a reshaped heart console.
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Front and heart is a 10.8-inch display screen now dwelling to Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 software program. This interface is far simpler to navigate than the outdated, Bolt-specific setup, and is much less reliant on normal Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for primary performance — although each cellphone connectivity suites are nonetheless supported and may now be linked wirelessly.

The cabin tech options Chevrolet’s person profile system which accommodates for the preferences of a number of drivers. Chevy Infotainment 3 additionally options onboard apps that may be downloaded and powered by the Bolt’s 4G LTE connection and has numerous bespoke EV options. This contains menus for monitoring the vitality impression of varied automobile programs, cost scheduling and the flexibility to restrict the cost degree to maximise battery well being over time.Charging and varyThe Bolt excels as a commuter automobile, boasting 259 miles per cost in response to the EPA’s estimates. That vary estimate is unchanged from final 12 months regardless of an ever-so-slightly smaller 65-kilowatt-hour battery (a 1-kWh discount). This vary continues to be sufficient to edge out the competitors from Hyundai, Kia and Nissan, however continues to fall behind the Tesla Model 3.

Home charging is probably sooner with this 12 months’s improve to as much as 11.5-kW Level 2 charging — although you may have to guarantee that your private home can assist the additional present and set up a 48-amp wall charging unit to take full benefit. This reduces the cost time to round 7 hours versus the 10-hour estimate in case you plug the dual-level charging twine straight right into a NEMA 14-50 outlet. Of course, you may as well trickle cost at nearly any normal 110-volt wall outlet, however that solely provides round 4 miles of vary per hour.Having been spoiled by newer, extra upmarket EVs, I used to be a contact upset to be taught that the Bolt can nonetheless solely DC quick cost at round 55 kW max. That means getting a lift to 80% capability at a speedy cost station takes about an hour. That’s not a dealbreaker — particularly contemplating the Bolt’s worth and its vary between these expenses — and on the very least, DC quick charging is now a typical characteristic, so a minimum of you are not paying extra to get it.During per week and 201.9 miles of testing, commuting and working numerous city errands, I averaged a calculated 124 miles per gallon equal — truly a contact greater than the EPA’s 118 mpge estimate. I did not hypermile or deal with the accelerator like an eggshell, both. In truth, I spent a whole afternoon testing the Bolt’s Sport mode within the hills and nonetheless ended up with better-than-decent effectivity for the week.Home charging speeds have been improved, however CCS DC quick charging continues to be restricted to 55 kW.
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Electric feelSpeaking of Sport mode, the Bolt options a number of completely different driving packages. There’s Normal and Sport, the latter adjusting the accelerator sensitivity for extra responsive driving. Then once more, with 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of prompt electrical torque, the Bolt feels nice off the road in both mode.There are additionally two regenerative braking modes. The normal setting coasts while you elevate the accelerator and creeps ahead a bit at low speeds. The one-pedal mode immediately decelerates proportionately as you elevate, ultimately bringing the automobile to a whole cease with out having to faucet the brake pedal. Now accessed with a button — slightly than the outdated Bolt’s poorly labeled L shifter place — drivers can choose one-pedal mode because the default setting, which makes getting used to this distinctive EV choice even simpler and extra predictable.Of course, the Bolt’s regen paddle returns for 2022, permitting the motive force to immediately entry full regenerative braking by pulling a paddle on the left spoke of the steering wheel. Personally, I discover this characteristic too troublesome to modulate and far much less pure feeling than simply one-pedal driving.Drivers can now set one-pedal driving because the default mode for higher management over regenerative braking.
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It’s a very good factor the Bolt is so torquey as a result of the dealing with continues to be fairly underwhelming. The Bolt corners effectively sufficient, however its hefty weight and low-rolling-resistance tires is usually a handful when driving shortly on a twisty mountain cross. Fortunately, the low heart of mass, gentle steering and responsive proper pedal preserve the Bolt feeling vigorous on the freeways and concrete environments the place it’s going to spend the vast majority of its time.Adaptive, however not Super cruise management The 2022 mannequin 12 months replace sees the addition of adaptive cruise management to the Bolt’s bag of optionally available methods — a sore omission in earlier mannequin years that is now a $375 improve for the very best 2LT trim degree and essentially the most compelling cause to improve from the 1LT base mannequin. The system operates easily in stop-and-go site visitors and compliments the usual lane-keeping steering help on the freeway. All 2022 Bolts come normal with a rear-view digital camera, ahead pre-collision alerts with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alerts and automated excessive beams. Stepping as much as the 2LT spec upgrades to a surround-view digital camera and blind-spot monitoring with lane-change pre-collision alerts.Sadly, the Bolt EV nonetheless would not provide General Motors’ hands-free Super Cruise freeway driving help. For that, you may have to improve to the newer, bigger 2022 Bolt EUV.Many small modifications add as much as an enormous distinction within the 2022 Bolt, made solely extra compelling by its new worth.
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The worth is correctThe 2022 Chevy Bolt EV builds atop an already stable inexpensive EV formulation with improved aesthetics and a extra upmarket inside. New infotainment and the choice for adaptive cruise fill gaps within the cabin and security tech that assist to maintain this EV aggressive. And whereas I’d like sooner DC charging, the slight velocity enhancements to dwelling charging — the place it’s best to get most of your juice anyway — should not be ignored.However, one of the best new characteristic on the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the lower cost. Starting at $31,995 (together with a $995 vacation spot cost and earlier than any EV tax incentives), the Bolt is $5,500 cheaper than final 12 months and is now essentially the most inexpensive long-range electrical automobile in its class. Only the 40-kWh Nissan Leaf and the Mini Cooper SE are cheaper — and you will get a minimum of 100 fewer miles with each. As examined, this 2LT spec with premium audio ($595) and the adaptive cruise management improve ($375) has a pre-incentive sticker worth of $36,165 — almost $10Ok lower than some other present member of the 250-mile electrical compact membership.The Bolt was already, in some ways, the just-right on a regular basis EV. Now, inexpensive than some competing gasoline vehicles, it is extra compelling than ever.