Used 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

We’ve always liked the Chevrolet’s Bolt EV, but its back seat is a little too cramped for adults. Now, though, with the debut of the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle), that has changed. Thanks to a wheelbase stretched by 3 inches and an overall length up by about 6 inches, the new Bolt EUV is a still relatively compact 5-door hatchback, but one that treats rear passengers to an extra 3 inches of legroom.

The 2022 Bolt EUV is based on the same platform as the Bolt EV (reviewed elsewhere). It has the identical 65-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 200-horsepower electric motor. But because it’s about 90 pounds heavier than a standard Bolt EV, range is reduced from that car’s 259 miles to 247.

The new Bolt EUV is the first Chevrolet available with Super Cruise, the hands-free autonomous driving system usually associated with Cadillac.

We struggle calling a compact front-drive hatchback a utility vehicle, but we’re pleased to report that Chevrolet has priced the new 2022 Bolt EUV at $33,500, only $100 more than the 2022 Bolt EV.

The new Bolt EUV is built in the same Michigan plant as its smaller sibling. Competitors include the Hyundai Kona EV, Kia Niro EV, and the Nissan Leaf.

The Bolt EUV’s powertrain is essentially the same as the outgoing model. And that’s no bad thing because acceleration is strong. Press the Sport mode button and the little SUV will squeal its front tires when you floor the throttle. That’s certainly fun but most buyers will be more interested to know that the Bolt EUV has made big strides in comfort.

The remodeled interior is better in every way. The new push-button shifter is easy to use and frees up some cabin space. Gone are those thin, odd, and springy seats of the old Bolt. The new ones are not only more comfortable but on our top Premier model, power-operated too. Rear passengers will appreciate the EUV’s stretched wheelbase because there’s plenty of legroom for a 6-footer. The downside is that adults still need to duck their heads slightly to slide back there. Once inside, headroom in the rear seat is sufficient, even with the panoramic sunroof.

Chevy tuned the suspension of the EUV for a comfortable ride. It soaks up bumps with smoothness and composure. The EUV’s compact proportions make it easy to maneuver in the city. And engaging one-pedal drive mode provides enough drag that you never have to touch the brake pedal.

The Bolt EUV is also quiet. Chevy bolstered the Bolt EUV’s serenity at freeway speeds by including acoustic windshield glass. Speaking of freeway driving, our Bolt EUV was equipped with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. It works well at maintaining speed, lane discipline, and slowing down smoothly when traffic flow drops abruptly. But the system can often make small steering corrections, which can get irritating. Still, this is great tech to have on an EV in this class.

Like the standard Chevy Bolt EV, the new Bolt EUV has generous front headroom, but adds a significantly more spacious back seat with 3 extra inches of legroom. Behind that folding rear seat is 16.3 cubic feet of cargo room, a bit less than the 16.6 in the standard Bolt EV. The Bolt EUV has 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, basically the same as the 57 found in the standard Bolt EV. Which makes one wonder where the extra utility of this model might be.

On a positive note, both Bolt interiors are new for 2022. Chevrolet says Bolt EV customers, a loyal lot, wanted more comfort, better seats, extra rear-seat room, and added infotainment options in the new model. To that end, the Bolt’s 8.0-inch color gauge cluster and 10.2-inch touchscreen have more intuitive interfaces. In addition to generally higher quality materials, there are better seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel (with a “Regen on Demand” paddle), and a new electronic gear shifter with toggles and buttons.

The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV looks similar to its smaller Bolt EV sibling, but these two electric Chevrolets don’t share a single body part.

From the front, the upright fascia and sculpted grille of the Bolt EUV shout “electric car” to us, while the slanted character lines on the body sides add a handsome flair, giving the vehicle a sense of motion even when it’s parked. The Bolt EUV is a compact vehicle, but with a planted and muscular look, thanks to short front and rear overhangs, and wheels pushed out to the corners.

LED lighting is used front and rear, and the thin high-mounted headlight strips double as sequential turn signals. Standard roof rails enhance the quasi-SUV aura of this newest Bolt electric vehcile.

DUAL-LEVEL CHARGE CORD
This handy charging cord, standard with the new Bolt EUV, allows this compact electric Chevrolet to be plugged into a regular 3-prong 120-volt outlet for Level 1 charging, or a 240-volt outlet for Level 2 charging at up to 7.2 kilowatts.

SUPER CRUISE
This feature, optional in the Premier trim, allows hands-free autonomous driving on roughly 200,000 miles of highways in the U.S. and Canada. If the Bolt EUV driver doesn’t stay focused on the road, visible and audible alerts will notify the driver to take control of the vehicle.

Standard features in the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV start with a 65-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 200-horsepower electric motor, both shared with the regular Bolt EV.

Other standard Bolt EUV hardware includes LED front and rear lighting, cruise control, and a dual-level charging cord that facilitates charging at home. Chevrolet covers the standard installation costs of a Level 2 charger at eligible Bolt buyers’ homes.

In addition to an efficiency-enhancing one-pedal driving mode, the 2022 Bolt EUV is available with Chevy Safety Assist, a standard safety array that includes automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.

Options on the 2022 Bolt EUV include a panoramic sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Super Cruise, which is optional in the Bolt EUV Premier. Also available are other driver-assist features such as rear cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree surround-view camera, plus wireless smartphone charging and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Apps like Alexa and Spotify also can be ordered on the Bolt EUV.

The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV is powered by a 150-kilowatt permanent magnet electric motor fed electricity from a liquid-cooled 65-kWh lithium-ion battery mounted low in the chassis.

Using a 240-volt Level 2 charger, the Bolt EUV can be fully recharged in roughly 7 hours. With 120-volt home charging, it takes considerably longer. Chevy says you can get 4 miles of range with a 1-hour charge using a 120-volt charger.

A 240-volt DC Fast Charger is much better, supplying 100 miles of range in around 30 minutes. We could see this helping to make long trips in an EV much more feasible.

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is rated by the EPA at 125 MPGe in the city and 104 MPGe on the highway. Because the Bolt EUV is about 90 pounds heavier than a standard Bolt EV, its maximum range drops from 259 miles to 247.

AC synchronous electric motor
65-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
200 horsepower
266 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 125/104 MPGe
EPA range: 247 miles