When the Chevy Bolt EV subcompact hatchback hit the U.S. market for the 2017 model year, it meant that GM beat everyone else to mass-producing an affordable electric vehicle with well over 200 miles of range. Not content to stop there, GM has decided to extend the race by recently committing to creating 30 new EVs globally by 2025. This summer, Chevy gets one step further to that goal with the brand-new 2022 Bolt EUV.
A true electric utility vehicle, the all-new Bolt EUV builds on the successes of the popular Bolt EV and goes even farther, even faster. On paper, both of these electric vehicles have a lot in common, including being built on a shared platform at GM’s Orion Assembly in Michigan. So why should you choose the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV over its proven and popular predecessor? From extra leg-room to hands-free driving, read on to see why you want to give this rookie a shot at the win.
Stretch Your Legs
It’s obvious from the outset that the Bolt EUV is a bit larger than the Bolt EV. Technically, the Bolt EUV is just over six inches larger than that of the Bolt EV and just a smidge larger in width and height. Inside the cabin, the extra length shows up most in the rear seat legroom. With over three more inches, the Bolt EUV will be more comfortable for your passengers in the back.
While the Bolt EUV and Bolt EV have similar appearances and the same platform, one interesting fact is that they share none of the same exterior sheet metal. Besides adding length, the Bolt EUV has a more distinctively SUV styling to differentiate itself from the Bolt EV hatchback, starting at the top with standard roof rails. A stronger center crease line leads your eye from the sculpted grille up the hood, a movement that is repeated in seamless horizontal body lines and redesigned wheels for the 2022 model year of the Bolt family.
Another addition to the Bolt EUV design is the option to add a panoramic power sunroof. Otherwise, the interior design of both Bolts is very similar. A 10.2-inch touchscreen sits flush into the center console, allowing wireless connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless charging is also a feature, eliminating annoying cables from your life. Once you are connected, in-vehicle apps and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot mean you can pull up your favorite Spotify playlists and check the weather with the Weather Channel.
You can also connect with Amazon’s Alexa for music, directions, calls, and audiobooks, or even control your smart home lights and temperature. In the Bolt EUV, you can easily keep your eyes on the road when reaching for the handy temperature and fan buttons, as opposed to other electric vehicles that use the touchscreen to control these features. The buttons for changing gears and driving modes and for setting the parking brake add to the streamlined, modern look.
You’ll find a comfortable ride in the Bolt EUV, beginning with a steering wheel that has a flattened bottom, making it easier to get in and out of the driver’s seat. The driver’s seat is power-adjustable, and the seating all around is plush and comfortable with plenty of support, including lumbar support that you can adjust to your perfect fit. The standard seating is cloth with geometric design and contrasting color stitching, but it’s possible to upgrade to leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. A heated steering wheel is also available.
Cruising to the Finish
While the extra legroom in the Bolt EUV is a definite perk over the Bolt EV, the biggest perk – and not just in the Bolt family, but across the market – is Super Cruise. Available on the Premier trim line, Super Cruise is the industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance technology and is compatible with over 200,000 miles of highways across the U.S. and Canada. The Bolt EUV is the first Chevy to include this feature, which was originally developed for high-end Cadillac models.
Super Cruise uses LiDAR mapping data and a Driver Attention System to keep the vehicle centered in its lane, combined with adaptive cruise control to maintain not just a steady speed but a steady distance from the car ahead. The Driver Attention System uses an inconspicuous camera and infrared lights to ensure that your eyes remain on the road, even though your hands don’t need to be on the steering wheel. A light bar at the top of the steering wheel provides colored alerts when the system is in use, for instance, if it senses your gaze has drifted from the road ahead.
While Super Cruise is optional, all Bolt EUVs come standard with Chevy Safety Assist. This technology package includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, a following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, and IntelliBeam automatic headlights. You can also choose to add rear cross traffic alert and HD surround vision, using multiple cameras to see around your EUV before backing out of a parking space. Even without HD surround vision, the standard rear camera on the Bolt EUV is HD quality.
Charging is extra convenient with the 2022 Bolt EUV thanks to Chevy’s new dual-level charging cord, which is included standard. This cord allows you to easily power up from either a regular 120-volt three-prong household outlet or a 240-volt outlet, like the type used for your clothes dryer or oven. With this included cord, you know you can power up when you go to visit friends and family. A 120-volt outlet provides about four miles of charge per hour, while the 240 multiples that to about 25 miles per hour. The average commute is 40 miles, which is easily accomplished within two hours with Level 2 charging, so charging overnight in your driveway means you’re easily covered for the day.
Also, when you buy or lease your new Bolt EUV, Chevy, in conjunction with Qmerit, will cover the standard installation of a Level 2 charger at your home. If you rent and installation isn’t convenient, public charging credits are available. The myChevrolet app will help you find a public charging station and the most efficient route for your battery’s current charge. There are also over 40,000 compatible Level 3 fast-charging stations in the country, which can provide nearly 100 miles of charge for your Bolt EUV in just half an hour. To create even more public charging stations, GM is teaming up with the largest network provider, EVgo, to triple the amount of them across the country. There is absolutely no reason to worry about charging your Bolt EUV.
Going for the Gold
In the first quarter of 2021, more Bolt EVs were sold than in any other quarter since the model entered the race, leading the non-luxury market. The public is more interested than ever in electric vehicles, and the Bolt EUV brings even more oomph to Chevy’s EV offerings. The extra back seat legroom makes the Bolt EUV even more practical for a family, while the sophisticated exterior styling will turn heads when you take it out for a night on the town. Add Super Cruise to that package, and the Bolt EUV is really something special.
It’s definitely worth noting that the all-new Bolt EUV starts at $33,995, which is less than the 2021 Bolt EV. GM is dedicated to making EVs available for everyone, and their “Everyone In” campaign is paying off. The Bolt EV entered the market as Motortrend’s Car of the Year, and it consistently rates among the highest customer service ratings. Building on that success, the Bolt EUV is a practical choice for both the single commuter and families who need to get the kids from school to practice with all their equipment, saving trips to the gas station while making driving easier with Super Cruise. In the current EV race, Chevy is out in the lead.
