Chevrolet Bolt EV Gen 3

Overview

The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV "Gen 3" (referring to the refreshed model year) was a cracking little electric hatchback, offering zippy performance and a practical package at what became an unbeatable price point before its discontinuation. Despite bowing out, it remains a compelling used buy, with data showing an estimated used price around $9,640. It packed a decent real-world range and a surprisingly spacious interior for its compact footprint, making it a top choice for city slickers and budget-conscious EV adopters in the US. It was a true EV for the people!

What's New for 2023?

For the 2023 model year, the Bolt EV "Gen 3" largely carried over the significant updates from its 2022 refresh, which included sharper exterior styling and a much-improved interior. The biggest news for 2023 was a substantial price cut early in the year, making it one of America's most affordable EVs before Chevy announced this would be its final model year. This version represents the peak refinement of this popular electric hatch, making it a sought-after option on the used market for those seeking value.

Design & Exterior

The 2023 Bolt EV "Gen 3" sports a modern, sharp look, a big leap from its earlier design, featuring slim LED headlights and a more contemporary front facia giving it proper road presence. It’s a compact hatchback measuring 163.2 inches long, 69.5 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 63.4 inches tall, making it a doddle to park in tight US city spots. While "Gen 3" is the specified trim, this refreshed design applied across the board, looking smart and up-to-date until its final production run in 2023.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the 2023 Bolt EV "Gen 3" boasts a revamped cabin with improved materials and a more modern layout. Standard tech is impressive, featuring a user-friendly 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside an 8-inch digital driver display. Passenger space is surprisingly good for its class. Cargo-wise, there's a practical 16.6 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a generous 57 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Unfortunately, there's no frunk for additional storage under the hood.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its compact size fool you; the 2023 Bolt EV "Gen 3" is a nippy performer! Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) upfront churns out 150 kW (approximately 200 horsepower) and a healthy 266 lb-ft of instant torque. This front-wheel-drive setup rockets the Bolt from 0-60 mph in a brisk 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 91 mph. It’s great for darting through city traffic, offering a comfortable ride and effective one-pedal driving mode for enhanced regenerative braking.

Range, Battery & Charging

The 2023 Bolt EV "Gen 3" features a 61.8 kWh usable battery pack, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of 246 miles – pretty solid for daily duties and even some weekend jaunts. Energy consumption is a commendable 3.98 mi/kWh. For charging in the US, it’s equipped with a CCS Type 1 port. Standard AC charging is robust at 11.5 kW, allowing a full charge in about 7 hours. DC fast charging peaks at 55 kW, enabling significant range addition during quick stops.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is well-covered in the 2023 Bolt EV "Gen 3," earning a top 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. For the US market, Chevy Safety Assist often came standard, bundling features like Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, and Front Pedestrian Braking. Depending on the specific 1LT or 2LT trim (as "Gen 3" covers this refreshed model), optional extras could include Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, enhancing its safety credentials.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

For the US market, Chevrolet typically backed the 2023 Bolt EV "Gen 3" with a solid warranty package. This generally included a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and an important 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery and electric drive components. While complimentary maintenance was often limited to the first visit, the Bolt EV is known for its potential for lower running costs and good reliability due to fewer moving parts compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, making it an attractive used proposition.