So, the Chevy Bolt EV seems like almost the car you want, but you’re worried it’s a little too small? We’ve got news for you.
The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle, Chevy says, though this is a car aimed at you and not at the electric utility you pay to keep the lights on), all new this year, is essentially a larger Bolt. It’s so similar to the standard Bolt EV that it might as well be a trim level of the smaller car, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see the EUV outsell the standard version because of its added space.
Outside, the two cars share no sheetmetal but are obviously brothers. The tall, slightly awkward lines of the Bolt EV work much better here, with six extra inches of length to visually balance them out. Thin LED daytime running lights sit above the headlights, while accent lines in the trunk give it a bit of personality.
Inside, the cabin is more upscale than the exterior might lead you to believe. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the 10.2-inch infotainment screen, and conventional buttons are still present for the HVAC controls. A push-button system takes the place of a shifter, creating a roomier feel. The Bolt EUV has three inches more legroom for rear-seat passengers than the Bolt EV.
Mechanically, the Bolt EUV works with all the same parts as its smaller cousin. A single electric motor sends power to the front wheels and is good for 200 horsepower. The added length, GM says, adds only 90 pounds over the Bolt EV, so the performance should be similar. And performance has never been a complaint with the Bolt, so we’d expect it to remain more than serviceable stoplight-to-stoplight.
The range is 250 miles, 9 miles less than the standard Bolt. That’s easily more than most drivers need most days and fairly standard in the growing class of crossover EVs.
The Bolt EUV starts are $33,995, about $2,000 more than the Bolt EV. GM vehicles are no longer eligible for the federal government’s $7,500 EV tax credit. However, the Chevy will defray the cost of installing a 240-volt circuit to charge it if you own your home.
