2020 Chevy Bolt EV Review

The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt receives minor updates, the most notable of which are an additional 21 miles of range and upgraded HD reverse and surround-view cameras. Those extra miles give the 2020 Bolt a total of 259 miles of estimated range, putting it back at the top of the growing heap of affordable EVs, outdoing the newer Kona EV by 1 mile.

To gain the additional range, Chevrolet fiddled with the chemistry of the Bolt's battery pack, resulting in a 6-kWh capacity increase without changing the size or shape of the pack or any components. Chevy says that one benefit of the revised battery composition is slightly quicker charging rates, especially in cold weather. It's worth noting that there hasn't been any update to the actual charging equipment, however.

There have been a few other minor tweaks, such as a new design for the front grille. Also an extra speaker was added for the Bolt's low-speed warning sound to help nearby pedestrians more easily tell if the car is in forward or reverse gear.

The Bolt launched in a nascent EV market essentially unchallenged, absolutely dunking on the Nissan Leaf's then 107-mile range and offering dramatically better driving dynamics. It beat the Tesla Model 3 to market and proved that a mainstream automaker could put a long-range EV on sale for under $40,000.

But that car first went on sale back at the end of 2016. For reference, that's before Ed Sheeran had his first solo hit and before a bumper crop of new EVs dropped. EVs are a niche market to begin with (at least in the U.S.), so having multiple competitors with similar range, quicker charging and more creature comforts put the Bolt in a tight spot.

The added range is clearly meant to reassert the Bolt EV as the segment's range leader and keep the vehicle front of mind for consumers. Unfortunately, without other updates, such as increased charging speed or more comfortable front seats, it's hard to say that range alone makes the Bolt worth considering.

That said, the fact that you can easily find a Bolt to buy on at least one dealer lot in every state is a more significant advantage than just about anything else.

We're big fans of the Hyundai Kona EV and the Kia Niro EV, both of which offer more than 200 miles of range as well as plenty of features and practicality (along with comfort) and faster 75-kW charging capacity. Unfortunately, these vehicles have been slow to roll out to dealers, making them less accessible to consumers.

The Nissan Leaf remains a top seller and is a comfortable small car that's now also available with over 200 miles of range. But you pay extra for that Extended Range version. And the Leaf is less satisfying to drive than the Bolt because of its slower acceleration and less pronounced regenerative braking effect.

Of course, the base Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus comes in at right around $40,000. And Tesla's more premium feel, engaging driving character and robust charging network (depending on where you live) are all advantages. But the Bolt offers a much more traditional ownership experience and control layout, both of which will appeal to certain buyers.

Same as it ever did. The Bolt is the king of one-pedal driving in this segment, letting you use regenerative braking to bring the car to a complete stop. It's a zippy small hatchback, and the instantaneous torque makes it ideal for negotiating traffic or city streets. Thanks to the strong regenerative braking when you lift off the accelerator pedal, and the wheel-mounted paddle that adds a bit more regen on demand, you really can drive the Bolt while rarely touching the brake pedal.

Chevy invited us to the Pacific Northwest to sample what 259 miles of range really means by driving a 240-mile scenic route along the Pacific coast between Seattle and Portland. Unfortunately, but perhaps not unexpectedly for the region, it rained heavily over a good portion of our route — something Chevy hadn't planned for.

It may not be something you think about in a gas car, but water on the roadway increases rolling resistance. It takes extra energy to move all that water out of the way and retain contact with the pavement, and you regenerate less energy when slowing down. Even though it wasn't so cold that we needed to run the heater, the inclement conditions had enough of an impact on the Bolt's range that we didn't feel secure in our ability to finish our route without recharging. Spending about 15 minutes at a DC fast charger saw us through to the end, but the range anxiety was real.

Other competitive EVs indeed have the same problem. But the experience did crystalize the fact that EVs are still second cars for most owners. While they make excellent daily commuters, they can't fill all the roles of gas vehicles just yet.

Pretty much the same as it was last year. There's usable storage space for small items, and the cabin feels open and airy thanks to expansive windows. The infotainment is still the same large, clear screen running a slightly less user-friendly reskin of Chevy's Infotainment 3. The seats are the same too-thin units that have been splitting opinion in the Edmunds office since the car launched. (Some of us find them uncomfortable, and some don't mind them. Although we all acknowledge the lack of padding and adjustability, particularly lumbar.) The expanse of cheap-feeling hard plastic interior panels is still here too.

We do like that Chevy gave the 2020 Bolt new high-definition cameras. The sizable screen always allowed for a large camera display, but image quality from the 2017-2019 Bolt's cameras was a bit fuzzy and poor. The new surround-view HD parking cameras make a huge difference and provide a much sharper picture of the vehicle's surroundings. There's also now a shortcut button to allow quicker access to the camera view.

The Bolt offers 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space and has folding rear seats that open up even more room. With the seats upright, it's certainly enough space for a couple of weekend bags or a shopping trip. You can also fit adults in the back seat, although it's a bit more cramped than some competitors. Overall, you can definitely get more space from an EV, especially with the Kia Niro EV rolling out to dealers soon.

There are other factors to consider. Because it is just 164 inches long (more than a foot shorter than a Honda Civic hatchback, for instance), the Bolt is easy to park, especially if you have the surround-view camera system equipped — another plus for a city car. The long range also means that — even in heavy rain, as it turns out — most people can probably safely plan for 200 miles of driving on one charge, which should cover most people even if they commute to work, run errands and then go out to dinner.

Chevrolet has announced both a new investment in its U.S.-based EV manufacturing facility and a commitment to move toward a zero-emission future. We're confident we'll see a next-gen EV at some point but have no idea when.

In the meantime, one solid advantage the Bolt has is Chevy's dealership network. Chevy made sure that at least one location in each of the 50 states has a dealership that can sell and service Bolts, so owners can have their vehicles worked on should anything happen. That may not seem like a big deal if you're still in the research phase of your car-buying process. But when it comes to actually buying and living with a vehicle for the next three years or more, it's worth considering.