In February, GM announced the all-new 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV as a slightly larger, less quirky version of the Bolt EV. Last week, we had a chance to take a quick spin in the third all-electric vehicle from the Bow Tie brand. Here are our impressions after spending roughly two hours with a 2022 Bolt EUV Premier finished in Bright Blue Metallic.
Exterior
The Bolt EUV is handsome. Compared to the Bolt EV, the EUV has an appearance that’s less quirky and more mainstream. The upright front end and flatter hood do wonders for the way the vehicle looks in relation to its slightly smaller brother. Meanwhile, the additional three inches in wheelbase and six inches in overall length gave designers a bigger canvas on which to design. The end result is a rather attractive vehicle whose look is more mature than that of the EV.
That’s not to say that the vehicle is not without its quirks, which can particularly be found at the rear end. Those sexy new tail lights integrated within the black bar below the window on the liftgate? Turns out they’re not the actual tail lights. They also don’t function as the brake lights or the turn signals. Instead, their function as accessory lights that only run in the dark makes for somewhat of a missed opportunity to really put them to good use. Instead, the tail light, braking and turn signal functions are all carried out by the pair of minuscule lights at the lower end of the rear fascia. We’re also not huge fans of the substantial amount of black plastic in the lower rear fascia.
That said, neither one of these small elements prevents the Bolt EUV’s exterior from having a charm of its own. “It looks pretty cool,” I overheard a passerby say when we stopped for a break at a local coffee shop. We’d have to agree.
Interior
The real story of the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV is inside. After all, the main reason for the EUV’s existence is its more spacious interior as compared to the Bolt EV. But that additional space is nearly un-recognizable from the driver’s seat. Instead, the Bolt EUV’s larger size enables an additional three inches of rear-seat legroom, while all other interior dimensions stay nearly identical to those of the EV. We’re sure rear-seat passengers will appreciate the increased space.
The other big story about the Bolt EUV involves the improved interior materials. As expected, Chevy has added a soft-touch dash as well as improved soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. The EUV feels like a grown-up vehicle with no compromises. A big part of that are the new seats, which were the cause of complaints on the Bolt EV from those who spend extended periods of time driving the vehicle. Chevy had taken all that into account, and has completely overhauled the seats in the 2022 Bolt EUV (as well as in the Bolt EV, which is getting a refresh for the 2022 model year). Though our drive lasted roughly two hours, we can say that we didn’t feel any issues with the new seats. We also appreciated the ventilated functionality, a feature included in the Bolt EUV Premier and part of the optional Convenience Package on the LT.
Then there’s the matter of the sunroof. Chevy representatives tell us that Bolt EV customers asked for a sunroof, which was not available on that vehicle. The Bolt EUV delivers, offering a dual-pane sunroof as an option on the range-topping Premier trim. Like in most vehicles, the sunroof gives the interior a more spacious feel. A power-retractable shade provides privacy when needed.
Driving
The driving dynamics of the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV are very similar, if not identical, to that of the EV. During our time, we didn’t feel the EUV drove much differently, if at all, than the EV. The added length is masked quite well within the still-subcompact form factor.
The overall ride is quiet and composed in the city and on the highway, though body roll in turns and interstate on/off ramps is still very much present, as it has been on the Bolt EV since its inception. The flipside of that is that the EUV absorbs potholes and other imperfections like a champ, a result of a well-tuned suspension and Michelin Energy Saver All-Season tires.
The new push/pull trigger shifting mechanism is another welcome addition: after a small learning curve, the shifting system (pull to Drive and Reverse, push to Park and for Neutral) is quite natural to use. In addition, one-pedal driving mode can now be enabled via a button aft of the drive pull trigger. If enabled, it stays that way even through ignition cycles.
Super Cruise
The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV is the first GM vehicle that’s not a Cadillac to offer the Super Cruise driving assistance system for compatible highways. We used the system for roughly half an hour, and it worked just as it does on the Cadillac CT6.
For anyone who hasn’t used Super Cruise before, doing so can be somewhat disconcerting: will the vehicle actually brake or stay in its lane, like it should? However, after beginning to trust the system to work, the hands-off-steering-wheel and feet-off-pedal experience can make for quite a relaxing drive. Super Cruise isn’t a completely autonomous system, and requires the driver to pay attention to the road, and take control of the vehicle when necessary. But the overall effect is less fatigue during the drive itself.
Overall, the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV is a very attractive package, and it just might represent the tipping point of widespread EV adoption.
We’ll continue obsessively covering the Bolt EUV, along with everything related to GM’s electric revolution. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for ongoing Chevy Bolt EUV news, Chevrolet news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.
Comments
the blue color isn’t doing the black cladding any favors. in silver it looks a lot more attractive.
with a price difference of only 2K, why buy the smaller EV over the bigger EUV?
steve, I agree. I like the blue, but it really makes all the ugly black plastic stick out worse.
Agreed. If I were to buy one of these, I’d definitely buy a rattle can or two of the electric blue and paint that plastic. As usual, I’m embarrassed for our company for cheaping out when they shouldn’t have and didn’t need to. I’d be willing to bet that next year a color-matching unit will be “an option” that they can charge for, when it should’ve been standard to begin with. Just my opinion.
For as long as the Bolt has been on the market overall, the new one shouldn’t have any plastic on it at all.
Yeah, that’s what the world needs, yet another silver car. Take the blue, it’s electric!
i think the electric blue color is really cool but that wide swath of black in the back diminishes it.
Does it have a power seat yet?
My 2c for what it’s worth: First (as steve said above), there is just too much cheap and ugly plastic on the car. The article hits the nail on the head well when they say there is just too much on the back. For me, any is too much. Second, I agree that the entire taillights things is just stupid. Rear end collisions are so common, and now you have a set of “decorative” lights on top of the regular lights lower? And we want to know why our insurance rates are too high? Seems like they are just trying too hard to be different. My opinion about hybrid and electric cars is that they are NOT selling as well as they could because these companies continue to make them stand out. I’d be more inclined to get another electric car if you couldn’t tell the difference from the ICE car next to it.
Now let’s talk about these stupid sun roofs. Most people don’t realize that a sunroof add weight to a car. Added weight reduces MPG’s. Simple math. Yet all these wienies who just can’t be without a huge hole in the roof. Isn’t the purpose of cars like this to attain the best MPG (electric or not)?? My CT4 just happened to have the sunroof included in the package, but I still hate it. Biggest waste of money and I’ll never use it. From the sounds of it, those needing that over-sized hole in the roof will need to pony up for the top package to get it.
I feel the same way about the naming of this (as a Bolt EUV) like the Encore/Encore GX. Plain stupid. Just like the Encore, this will only create confusion and one of the two Bolts will most likely have lower sales in the end. I’ll reserve my final thoughts on the Bolt family until I see them in person. But IMO, I feel like they missed the mark on this one. So for all those on here who think that I’m just a GM fan-boy, there you go. As I’ve done all my life, I’m not afraid to speak out when I think GM or any company makes stupid moves.
I think that main brake lights need to be on a fix surface. This is why vehicles with large hatches typically have fixed brake lights below the hatch. There are a few different manufacturers who have to implement this design to meet the safety regulations. However, I do agree that the styling is horrendous, it’s just not the tail lights fault. The proportions of where the A pillar, front quarter panel, and hood meet are just not aesthetically pleasing. The C pillar, the glass ration, to shoulder, to waist line is also not pleasing. It’s just ugly all over, but I think tail lights are low on the list.
Agree 100% on sunroofs. Have never – and will never – own a car with one.
Extra weight ~200 lbs. right at the very top of the vehicle. What do you think that does to the vehicle’s centre of gravity?
Plus additional sound intrusion and less headroom. And I have to pay more for that?
No thanks.
Add a mother in law to the rear seat and balance the sunroof weight.
What did a sunroof ever do to you to deserve so much hate? I can only imagine the MPG cost is minuscule, if you can even notice a difference.
JV: It’s my opinion that sunroofs suck. They leak. They create more noise no matter how well “sealed”. They collect dust/dirt around the seal that is nearly impossible to clean, thus creating more noise due to poor seal. In fact, I just cleaned mine yesterday because I could tell it was dirty. The drain tracks and lines fill with debris and cause water to overflow into the interior (if you don’t keep them clean). They will, no doubt, end up giving trouble. And yes, they rob efficiency and in a car like the Bolt, that is the entire purpose of getting one. And all for what? It’s certainly not for “fresh air” in southern California!
Let’s face it. The sheep out there associate a sunroof with luxury. And they think the bigger it is, the more up-scale they went. No thanks. They are a waste of money, fuel and head room.
I think you are wrong about the brake lights. They are in a strange position, but them being in a completely different area from the running lights means you’re absolutely sure that the person ahead of you is using their brakes and they don’t just have abnormally bright running lights. That’s the same reason the center stop lamp became part of federal safety standard.
The author hit on a point at the start. Don’t know why anybody at GM held onto the lower lights as indicators and that was a mistake. Everything else makes sense but those “on an island” lights.
GM be like: “Lets make the refresh uglier instead of going back to the concept everybody liked”.
Big problem remains the slow Level 3 charge time. For my 1,200 mile treks, it would take nearly six hours to charge, versus less than two hours for a Tesla Model Y or 3.
(Yes, I know BEV3 improves this – but Bolt EUV seems like a placeholder product as a result).
So the cars are the same, but different. Put that blue on a Camaro.
Front is as ugly as Mustang Mach E!
Ok – let me set a few things straight!
From a 7 year GM salesperson, last month 70% of my sales were BOLT’s and yes I was the top seller in my dealership.
1/ Modern safety systems can not see through metal, therefore there will be more plastic, agreed it doesn’t have to be ugly
2/ No issue selling items with similar names, this is a thing in lots of industries, sell on features, advantages and benefits, name recognition is a positive.
3/ You can’t have it both ways, all the stuff means all the price, these are aimed at entry level customers with available safety features if needed, desired or wanted
If this was the Equinox EV then I will buy it.
Exactly!! If Chevy wants to get the Equinox sales to or over the other two brands that I dislike (ahem, Rav4 and CRV), then offering it with a 1.5L turbo, 2.0L turbo for performance and the 3.6L V6 for those who may pull a small trailer and then offer an all electric.
I like the smaller bolt better, so I’d buy that. I’m slightly interested in getting one.
Wife and I own 2 Bolt EVs and love them. I will consider the new EUV when I’m ready to sell one of my Bolts because my wife loves sunroofs. While so many are making such a big deal about weight and decreased range because of a sunroof, VW is considering a convertible.
GM got away with hard seats because you are no going to be setting hours upon hours because you gotta get out and charge it every 2 or 3 hundred miles.
No mention of:
• maximum level 3 charge rate
• when it starts limiting level 3 charging rate
• GM’s dated smartphone app
• lack of phone-as-a-key technology
• OTA updates
You know, the stuff EV owners actually care about when purchasing a vehicle.
Andrew Cantu: So if you seem to think that GM’s smartphone app is “dated”, they you best not look at Mazda’s. Even the “all new” larger screen for 2021 with the mobile app to start the car, etc. is a total joke. The screen looks and works like what GM had about 8 years ago. And it’s soooooo funny how all these people are now rolling into the Mazda store to get this all new screen and mobile app so they car actually start their car from the phone! Yup, that’s something my 2015 Chevy Spark had!!
And I’m not so sure all these EV owners really care about all that stuff.
I agree. I would forgive all of these problems if GM made an electric Blazer. You can’t tell me it wouldn’t sell well.
HUGE, HUGE, HUGE mistake not putting the turn and stop lights in the upper section of the tailgate where almost every driver following this car will be expecting them to be. Want to guess how many Bolt EUVs will be severely rear ended? My guess is at least 20% more than other vehicles. Honestly, with the amount of distracted drivers on the road the last thing you need is someone not noticing turn or stop signals.
I would NOT buy this car just for that reason alone.
HUGE HUGE HUGE mistake gm. Huge!!!!!!!!!!
Not to mention that the standard Bolt does/did use them right there. So people will be adapted to that modality, especially in urban areas where there are many Bolts.
I wasn’t going to buy an EUV before. You couldn’t pay me to drive one now. I like my neck as-is.
Did you just write an article on an EUV and not even mention battery capability? Not sure why people hate sun roofs. I don’t particularly care for them but the wife does. I’ve not had one leak or cause a problem in twenty years.
Sunroofs make the headroom shorter, they leak in most cases, they allow more noise into the cabin, they make the interior much hotter and they also suck.
I’ve never had one leak in over 30 years. Currently have a Buick Encore with one. T-tops, that’s another story.
I’ve had sunroofs in every car I’ve owned. Not one has ever leaked into the cabin.