Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A light blue 2023 Chevy Bolt EV is shown from the side on a city street.

Meet America’s Most Affordable EV: The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Chevrolet founders William C. Durant and Louis Chevrolet launched the company with the dream of transforming the American automotive industry by building affordable, high-performing cars. Today, that legacy continues with models like the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV, the most affordable electric vehicle sold in America today. Even more impressive is that the Bolt EV offers incredible value, with its long list of standard features and spacious interior that give it an edge over the competition.

So, what can you expect from the 2023 Bolt EV? How does Chevy make it easy to adopt an all-electric lifestyle? It’s time to find out as we look at everything that makes the 2023 Bolt EV a fan favorite among American drivers.

#1 Affordability

Although most people think of Tesla when they think of electric vehicles, Chevrolet is changing that by making EVs more accessible. To do this means making the Bolt EV more affordable. Vehicle prices are at an all-time high, but Chevrolet does the unthinkable with the 2023 Bolt EV and reduces its sticker price by $5,900 to make the hatchback the most affordable EV in America at $26,595. To compare, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 will set you back at least $47,000, while the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric starts at $34,000 for the base trim.

#2 Long-Term Value

When you purchase an EV, you may qualify for additional tax breaks and savings, which makes the 2023 Bolt EV’s starting price even more affordable. However, the savings don’t end there. The Bolt EV’s all-electric powertrain and 259-mile estimated range allow you to skip the gas station entirely. As a result, you’ll save thousands of dollars each year on fuel, which guarantees more of your hard-earned money stays in your wallet.

A light blue 2023 Chevy Bolt EV is shown from the front at an angle while parked in a driveway.

#3 Powerful and Capable

Most people think driving an EV requires settling for less capability and power; however, that’s not the case with the 2023 Bolt EV. Instead, Chevrolet guarantees the Bolt EV delivers the power you need via its single motor and gearset with a permanent magnet drive motor and advanced 65+ kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This combination quietly churns out 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of instant torque to the front wheels. As a result, the Bolt EV is rapid to accelerate, responsive, and agile.

#4 No Need to Hit the Brakes

The 2023 Bolt EV does something remarkable when you’re in the driver’s seat by reducing how often you need to apply the brakes. Chevrolet’s intuitive Electronic Precision Shift with One Pedal Driving and Regen on Demand features allow you to use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed or slow down. Once engaged via a button on the center console or a paddle on the steering wheel, the technology combines the function of the accelerator and brake pedals. In doing this, the kinetic energy from braking or coasting is converted into energy the battery can use, increasing your range by up to 5% in rush-hour traffic or stop-and-go areas.

#5 Charging Made Easy

Another common concern people have when adding an EV to their garage is how quickly it can recharge and how convenient it is to recharge on the road. Fortunately, Chevrolet makes recharging the 2023 Bolt EV as simple as plugging in your smartphone. The electric hatchback is available with a dual-level charging cord that works with Level 1 (120-volt) and Level 2 (240-volt) outlets. With a Level 2 charger, the Bolt EV can fully recharge in around seven hours. When you’re on the road, you can save time by recharging at one of the thousands of DC fast charging stations across the country, where you can add 100 miles of range in 30 minutes.

#6 Connected and Informed

The 2023 Bolt EV is an incredible value because of its capable powertrain and its many standard features. Chevrolet gives you all the tools you need in the driver’s seat, guaranteeing you stay connected and informed. These tools start with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus system, which is centralized on the Bolt EV’s 10.2-inch color touchscreen display. Through the system, you’ll have wireless access to your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and plenty of other tools.

Moving beyond the center display, the Bolt EV puts vital information within immediate view behind the steering wheel. The standard 8-inch driver information screen is a graphic display with a power gauge and confidence gauge. The power gauge shows how energy is distributed, while the confidence gauge estimates your range based on the Bolt’s current operation. This real-time data enhances your experience and gives you greater confidence when on the road.

The interior of a 2023 Chevy Bolt EV is shown from the drivers seat.

#7 Safety Comes Standard

One of the many benefits of buying a Chevrolet like the 2023 Bolt EV is knowing that the automaker prioritizes your safety. The 2023 Bolt EV comes standard with the Chevy Safety Assist suite. This suite outfits the electrified hatchback with Automatic Emergency Braking, a Forward Collision Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, and Front Pedestrian Braking. These tools constantly monitor the front of the Bolt EV, alerting you to potential collisions and even bringing the hatchback to a controlled stop if needed.

The Chevy Safety Assist suite also comes with Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and IntelliBeam automatic high beams. The Bolt EV’s automatic headlamps eliminate the hassle of constantly switching between your high and low beams based on the traffic. Instead, the technology senses oncoming traffic and adjusts the lights as needed to optimize your visibility. Additionally, the Bolt EV’s Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning helps keep the hatchback safely centered in its lane and minimizes the risk of losing control of the vehicle or sideswiping another car, truck, or SUV.

#8 Driver-Assist Tools Make Life Easy

You can enhance your time in the driver’s seat when you add Adaptive Cruise Control to the 2023 Bolt EV 2LT. Adaptive Cruise Control improves upon traditional cruise control by using radars, sensors, and cameras to constantly monitor the flow of traffic. So instead of having to apply the brakes when traffic ahead slows, the system does the wo

\rk for you, maintaining a safe cruising speed and distance.

#9 The Devil’s in the Details

The 2023 Bolt EV’s affordable starting price hints that Chevrolet likely overlooked the details and skimped on quality. Fortunately, that’s not the case. The Bolt EV’s spacious interior is larger than it looks, offering 57 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seat folded. This spaciousness translates to additional passenger room and updated front seats that are more comfortable than previous models. You’ll also find the flat-bottom steering wheel gives the Bolt EV a sport-like feel, and soft-touch surfaces and premium materials are responsible for the cabin’s sophisticated and modern aesthetic.

The Chevy Legacy in the Flesh

The 2023 Bolt EV is a testament to the vision that racecar driver Louis Chevrolet and businessman William C. Durant had when they launched the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in the early 1900s. The innovators set out to build reliable and affordable vehicles that would successfully meet the evolving needs of American drivers. Over the years, delivering on that promise has taken many forms, from best-selling trucks like the Silverado to SUVs like the Blazer, Tahoe, and Suburban.

Today, Chevrolet’s founders would be incredibly proud of the company’s constant evolution and commitment to improving the lives of drivers across the country. The 2023 Bolt EV builds on the Chevrolet legacy, proving that EVs can be affordable, reliable, and powerful. This trifecta makes the Bolt EV one of the segment’s top sellers and the most affordable EV in America today.