Practical, Efficient, and Charging into the Future: How Does the 2023 Chevy Bolt Stack up Against the Chevy Bolt EUV?

Accelerating growth has most definitely been the theme of the past few years for all of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville, as we have seen many new models and the future of electrification shaping up and finally set in stone. The Chevy Bolt has been changing the planet one model at a time since 2017 as a useful hatchback boasting a solid range and convenient features. The Bolt EUV was introduced last year, with a slightly larger interior space and many of the same basic features. 

The USNews.com team cranked out a blog last week comparing the features between the two and laying out the important categories helping the consumer differentiate between their specific capabilities. Here are some specific qualities and where each model stands. 

Price: Both models are extremely budget-friendly, but the smaller Bolt is the winner here. On average, it is about $1,600 less than the Bolt EUV, which features the Premiere Redline Trim, along with other costlier options such as the hands-free addition of Super Cruise. 

Reliability: In this category, it is only fair to allow a tie. Chevy provides both the Bolt and the Bolt EUV a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Both models also get an 8-year/100,000-mile battery pack warranty to assure that you can always be confident you'll have enough juice on the road. 

Seat Comfort: Even though it's a fairly compact model, the Bolt offers ample front seat space along with headroom. The back seats and rear bench are an excellent addition to get that many more family members or work cohorts to the gathering! All in all, the Bolt is more than adequate for the longer journeys that the coming of spring will soon provide. 

Cargo Space: The slightly smaller Bolt offers just a bit more cargo space than the Bolt EUV, with 16.6 cubic feet up against the EUVs 16.3. With the back seats folded flat, the Bolt has 57 cubic feet alongside the EUV’s 56.9. Both vehicles offer underfloor storage that makes their cargo areas even better. Both the Bolt and Bolt EUV are relatively low to the ground, which can make loading and unloading cargo quite a bit simpler than it is on full-size SUVs.

Interior Quality: The interiors are nearly identical and surprisingly premium for their pricing. Class upholstery comes as standard equipment, but it does feature unique patterns and well-appointed textures that offer up a more luxurious feel. There are high-quality materials used in some of the most-frequented necessities such as the steering wheel.

Interior Features: The EUV is just slightly ahead of the game here, with a generous list of high-tech features and comfort options. The EUV features wireless smartphone charging as standard, which is an added cost on the Bolt. A 10.2-inch infotainment touch screen now comes as standard in both models, paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster. Some of the premium options that add vibrancy and a dose of extra style to the mix are a Bose stereo, additional USB ports, and wireless charging. 

Acceleration: The Bolt can get up to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds, and the Bolt EUV takes just half a second more. With instant torque from the electric motor, both models feel quick, capable, and lively. They both have a single electric motor that makes 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, with power sent to the front wheels with a single-speed automatic transmission.

Chevy Bolt EV Traction Motor Highlighted in InsideEVs Deep Dive Video

Within the realm of both hybrid and purely electrified cars, there is a lot going on behind the scenes, to say the least! Professor John Kelly of Weber State University took the liberty of dissecting the block of a Bolt EV Traction motor apart for a video presentation on the InsideEVs blog. Situated directly under the hood of the car, this component contains the actual gears, electric motor, and others needed to complete the all-important job of making the wheels turn.

As the blog admits wholeheartedly, some people would think that this is the most boring idea for a video ever, and that there are no gimmicks, car chases, or sight gags. But there is an amazing quality about discovering how technology works, and the WeberAuto YouTube channel has attracted over 100,000 viewers during its streaming days. Before starting the disassembly, Professor Kelly discusses the motor and some of its performance parameters of the Spark EV. When you get down to the actual nitty gritty of the Bolt EV motor, it produces less torque and has a lower peak amperage draw, with an ultimately higher RPM. However, it still offers more torque in the end, sporting a more efficient design.

As you can see for yourself in the video here, the professor then gives a completely guided tour of the unit's exterior, explaining every single part seen from the outer view. Once everything is labeled clearly, the deeper visual learning experience gets started. All of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville marveled at the sight of the pipe where the coolant comes in: there are six holes in the trough where fluid drips down on various parts of the trans axle, in a very complex and precise arrangement. The video provides fast-forward motion at just the right times when there are lengthy turns and screws, and really does a great job of portraying the insides and what goes on at every single instant of operation.

At about 45 minutes, you can really see the entire length of the rotor, and the task of clearing the alignment dowel begins. The drip channel for the oil to come out of the sump is pretty awesome to see close up, as well as the stator windings. Car and Driver heaped on the praise for the 2019 model, citing impressive range and immense practicality as two important reasons. We are beyond proud that that same well-read publication deemed the Bolt EV as the “best everyday electric car on the market today,” while being completely fascinated with its powertrain and spacious cabin. As the future of the automotive realm promises to change drastically, we are going to be witnessing full fleets begin to make the switch and crossover; the Bolt remains the best specimen at this moment for a sensational electric daily driver!

GM Looks Towards the Best and Brightest To Construct Self-Driving Chevy Bolts

Here in Knoxville, it's fully recognized that we have prided ourselves on the traditions of southern America to add to our distinctive charm, and that doing business here doesn't feel the same as it does in Manhattan. Buying a car here doesn't feel the same as it does in Manhattan either: we pride ourselves on listening to a customer's needs, following through consistently, and still sealing things up with a handshake. With all of these mannerisms in mind, it can be a bit of a stretch sometimes to grapple with the pace of the oncoming future, but we are choosing to embrace it with excitement. GM announced recently that it is searching high and low among the best and brightest, in an attempt to complete a lofty project: the construction of a self-driving Chevy Bolt within the next three years.

Very qualified teams from Virginia Tech, the University of Waterloo, Kettering University, Michigan State University, Michigan Tech, the University of Toronto, Texas A&M, and North Carolina A&T have been selected to weigh in on how to get the job done. The current goal is to do whatever it takes to load up the Chevy Bolt EV with the fixins that it needs to take the lunge and go driverless. It was announced late last year that some of the most amazing young minds in the nation would be used to solve the problems that involved the most precision, and next Spring, the teams are going to try and meet a deadline of seeing to it that the car can do a straight line minus the driver.

Objectives such as sensor calibration and algorithm design try and pin down the most intelligent and efficient way to get the job done, and embrace future technology. Two years ago, the ride-sharing household name Uber partnered with Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, acknowledging just how valuable these young prodigies can be in the role of auto technology development. We realize that having 8 of these versatile think tanks at their fingertips is more than likely going to give them the raw talent that they need to get the job done.

With a 1.5L direct-injected high-efficiency engine, Volt is a very ingenious electric vehicle that runs with an excellent backup plan. While running on electric charge, it generates additional energy with a gas-powered generator if the battery happens to run low, which gives the driver confidence for a bit more in the distance department. The innovative Power Flow screen gives you many different ways to track your driving, and the Regen on Demand allocation system does an impeccable job of gaining motion from the vehicle itself and using it to keep the battery at optimum power. The Volt recharges itself with a 120-volt portable cord, and does the deed in just over 12 hours, while you're working on a good night's rest and winding down at home. It will be interesting to see just what advances this team of intelligent individuals will come up with, and we think that the 3-year window will fly by pretty quickly. It's already evident that plans for cars to be driverless are taking great strides, and the future will soon be pleasantly upon us.