Chevrolet Bolt EV Gen 3

Overview

The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt 'Gen 3' represents the final model year of this iteration of the popular compact electric hatchback, known for offering impressive real-world range and practicality in a relatively affordable package. Though primarily a North American offering and now discontinued, its "Gen 3" refresh brought sharper styling and an updated interior. Key highlights include its punchy electric motor and a user-friendly tech interface. Official EU pricing was unavailable as it wasn't directly sold in Europe, but it aimed to be a value champion in the EV space where it was offered.

What's New for 2023?

For the 2023 model year, the Chevrolet Bolt 'Gen 3' carried over largely unchanged from its significant 2022 refresh, which marked the debut of this 'Gen 3' iteration. That major update introduced revamped exterior and interior designs, improved seat comfort, and made the dual-level charging cord standard. As 2023 was its final production year, no major new features were rolled out for this specific model year. The focus was on continuing the enhanced package introduced in 2022 before production ceased. It was more of a farewell tour than a feature fest!

Design & Exterior

The Bolt 'Gen 3' boasts a more modern and chiselled exterior than its predecessor, looking quite sharp for a compact hatch. It features slim LED daytime running lights up high with the main headlights positioned lower, giving it a contemporary face. Its compact dimensions (4145mm length, 1765mm width, 1611mm height) make it a breeze for city driving. The overall look is neat and unpretentious, focusing on practicality with a dash of modern EV flair. Distinctive alloy wheels and a clean rear design complete its updated urban-chic appeal for this generation.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Bolt 'Gen 3' received a welcome upgrade with a more refined dashboard design and improved materials over earlier versions. It comfortably seats five. Tech is a strong point, featuring a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside an 8-inch digital driver display. While not luxurious, it's functional and well-equipped. Cargo space is generous for its class, offering 470 litres in the boot, expanding to a massive 1614 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Unfortunately, there's no frunk for extra bits.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Bolt 'Gen 3' is surprisingly zippy! Its front-wheel-drive setup, powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), churns out 150 kW and a punchy 360 Nm of torque. This translates to a brisk 0-100 km/h sprint in just 6.8 seconds, making it great for darting through city traffic, topping out at 146 km/h. The ride is generally comfortable, soaking up most bumps well, though it's more about ease of use than thrilling handling. One-pedal driving is available, enhancing regenerative braking and making stop-go driving a doddle.

Range, Battery & Charging

With its 61.8 kWh usable battery, the Bolt 'Gen 3' offers a very respectable Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of 396 km, sipping energy at a rate of 6.41 km/kWh. For AC charging, it packs a capable 11.5 kW on-board charger, meaning a full top-up takes around 6-7 hours. DC fast charging maxes out at 55 kW, which can add significant range in about 30 minutes. While the US version used a CCS Type 1 port, an equivalent EU model would feature a CCS Type 2 connector for DC charging.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While specific Euro NCAP ratings for this North American model are unavailable, the 2023 Bolt 'Gen 3' scored a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA in the US. Chevrolet typically equipped the Bolt with a good suite of safety tech. Standard features often included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and a following distance indicator. Higher trims or optional packages could add features like adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring, making it a reassuringly safe small EV.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

For the US market, the 2023 Bolt typically came with a 3-year/60,000 km basic limited warranty and an 8-year/160,000 km warranty for battery and electric drive components, including degradation coverage. Powertrain coverage often mirrored the battery warranty. If sold in Europe, these terms would have been adapted to regional standards. Overall, the Bolt's powertrain has a reputation for being relatively reliable, with maintenance mainly involving tyres, brakes, and cabin filters, typical for EVs, keeping running costs delightfully low for this discontinued model.