The Chevy Bolt EV crossover gets a refresh and a significant price drop for the 2022 model year. The update improves the Bolt’s cabin comfort but does nothing for its range. A larger Chevy Bolt EUV will also join the lineup. This update covers the smaller Bolt hatchback.
The Bolt sports a new face. It’s more upright, with a body-color panel sitting over the low, faux-grille. The change makes it look a bit more obviously electric than the prior generation, which could have easily been taken for a gas-powered car. Thin LED daytime running lights sit above the reconfigured headlights. But the sheet metal has, otherwise, changed little.
Inside, upgrades are more obvious. The dash features softer, higher-quality materials. The change, along with new seats and a new 10.2-inch touchscreen, addresses the major complaints with the old Bolt.
Mechanically, the 2022 Bolt is essentially the 2021 Bolt. A single electric motor sends 200 horsepower to the front wheels. Acceleration is quite good for a hatchback of its class, with a 6.5-second 0-to-60 time. The range remains 259 miles, one mile more than its chief rival, the 2021 Hyundai Kona EV.
What will get buyers into the Bolt is the price. The 2022 Bolt EV has an asking price of $31,995, including destination fees. That’s $5,000 less than the 2021 model cost. The price cut reflects the fact that Bolt buyers are no longer eligible for the federal government’s $7,500 EV tax credit. Chevy said it also will now absorb the installation cost of a 240-volt charging outlet for home-owning Bolt buyers. The car goes on sale this summer.
