2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric

header-image
$36,620 - $41,020
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Powerful 60kW motor

Cheap quality of interiors

Chevy Bolt carries unchanged for the 2020 model year

Long electric range

Poor ride comfort

Affordable Pricing

Specs & Features

$36,620

price

200 hp

horsepower

266 lb.-ft.

torque

1-Speed Direct Drive

transmission

electric FWD 1A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The electric vehicle market is on the uprise and automotive manufacturers are trying their hands in the EV sector. One such car is the Chevrolet Bolt that was first showcased in 2016 at the Consumer Electronics Show. Since its launch, Bolt has received praises from around the globe and was awarded as the 2017 North American Car of the Year. Bolt EV is the first affordable all-electric car to offer an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range on a single charge. It has a long list of impressive characteristics, including some of the most technologically advanced features, stand-out looks and plenty of space.

As automotive manufacturers slowly develop their EV portfolios, vehicles such as the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt bridge the gap between yesteryear's low-range city cars and the fully electric future. Performance isn’t the first reason many people will consider a 2020 Bolt EV. Its perky powertrain is a pleasant fringe benefit

 

Buying Advice

The base LT trim is the best option to choose from. LT trim is priced 5K cheaper than the Premier and offers good equipment list. Both trims share the same electric motor and have no difference in their performance.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Starting at $36620, the 2020 Chevy Bolt has a 60kW electric motor that is rated at 200hp and 266 lb.-ft. of torque which is quite good considering the motor size. You can charge the Bolt EV using a standard home wall outlet but it may take up to 24 hours to get fully charged. The best option for fast charging is to use a level 3 fast charger or a level 2 charger (9 hours duration). The Chevy bolt competes against the likes of EV Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Toyota Prius C, and Kia Soul EV. Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals.

The Chevrolet Bolt is a great pick if you’re shopping for an electric vehicle. If you typically stick closer to home, the Bolt's 238 miles of range means you won't have to plug in every night, which is a reality for many EV owners .

Features
7.5/10

Chevrolet offers two trims for the 2020 Bolt: the base LT and the top Premier variant. Both the variants share similar hybrid powertrain and same size lithium-ion battery package. The difference lies in safety and interior upgrades. The Bolt LT offers two option packages: the $555 Comfort and Convenience package (includes heated front seats and steering wheel) and the $495 Driver Confidence package (includes rear parking sensors, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert). You can get a DC fast-charging option for $750.

The Bolt LT is an affordable pick as it comes with an array of standard features such as:

  • Backup camera
  • 2-inch touchscreen backed by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • 4G LTE with Wi-Fi
  • Proximity-key entry and push-button start

Trims

LT

PREMIER

MSRP

$36,620

$41,780

Features

 

Everything that comes with LT plus:

 

17″ painted aluminium wheel.

17″ Ultra Bright Machined/painted aluminium wheel.

 

Body-colour door handles.

Outside rearview mirror turn indicators.

 

Gloss Black outside rearview mirror caps.

Body-color door handles w/chrome strip.

 

HID headlamps.

Roof rails.

Fuel Economy
8.0/10

The 60-kWh battery pack offered with the Bolt EV is capable of returning an EPA-rated range of 238 miles on a single charge. The Bolt EV is efficient with EPA ratings of up to 128 MPGe in the city.

Model

Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback

Nissan LEAF S hatchback

BMW i3 120Ah hatchback

Toyota Prius C L hatchback

Kia Soul EV wagon

MPG (city)

128

124

127

48

124

MPG (highway)

110

99

106

43

93

MPG (combined)

119

112

118

46

108

Tank Capacity (gal)

N/A

N/A

N/A

9.5

N/A

Bolt is by far the best and most efficient car in the comparison. However, the BMW i3 stands close in the combined efficiency figures to that of Bolt.

Interior
8.5/10

"Quiet, comfortable and spacious, the Bolt EV's cabin has a contemporary design flair that helps offset its abundance of hard plastic and dearth of soft-touch surfaces."- KelleyBlueBook

Seating and Comfort

You will witness generous legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats that makes Bolt comfortable for five occupants. The front seats are thinly padded, but the limited driving range may not make it a matter of concern. You’ll find the heated steering wheel standard on the top Premier variant and optional on the LT trim. You can now slide the sun visors back and forth for better sun blockage.

Model

Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback

Nissan LEAF S hatchback

BMW i3 120Ah hatchback

Toyota Prius C L hatchback

Kia Soul EV wagon

Passenger capacity

5

5

4

5

5

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.7/54.6/41.6

41.2/54.3/42.1

39.6/53.6/40.5

41.7/52.3/37.0

39.6/55.5/40.9

Second

(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

37.9/52.8/36.5

37.3/52.5/33.3

37.2/49.2/31.9

37.0/51.7/35.0

39.5/54.7/36.0

Infotainment System

With the Bolt’s infotainment, you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. You can use them for navigation functions otherwise there’s no built-in navigation offered. You’ll also get several useful EV-specific menus that allow you to extract information like remaining range and battery-energy usage. Bolt’s touchscreen is responsive to most of the smartphones.

Cargo Space

The bolt is practical in its own way. It offers generous cargo space and allows you to store smaller items throughout the cabin. You’ll find spacious compartment behind the electronic shifter for keeping your smartphone. The “floating” dashboard is designed to bring in more space between the front seats beneath the center console.

Model

Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback

Nissan LEAF S hatchback

BMW i3 120Ah hatchback

Toyota Prius C L hatchback

Kia Soul EV wagon

Cargo Volume (ft.3)

16.9

23.6

36.9

17.1

18.8

Exterior
6.0/10

“The 2020 Bolt EV looks like a funky hatchback instead of a weirdo electric car. That’s probably the point.” The Car Connection

Design and Styling

The base bolt LT trim looks basic and economic, more for economy-minded commutes, while the Premier trim looks dressed up with cool-looking wheels and chrome trim. Its tall stance and chunky appearance make it look like a compact crossover. Chevrolet have done a good job making it look appealing with the available chrome accents on the windows and on the doors.

Model

Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback

Nissan LEAF S hatchback

BMW i3 120Ah hatchback

Toyota Prius C L hatchback

Kia Soul EV wagon

Curb weight (lbs.)

3563

3433

2965

2530

3289

Length(in)

164.0

176.4

158.3

162.4

163.0

Width(in)

69.5

70.5

69.9

68.6

70.9

Height(in)

62.8

61.4

62.9

59.6

63.0

Ground clearance (in)

N/A

5.9

N/A

5.5

5.9

Wheelbase (in)

102.4

106.3

101.2

100.4

101.2

Track width (in) F/R

59.1/59.1

60.6/61.2

61.9/62

58.5/58.1

62/62.4

Exterior Features

  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • Front intermittent wipers
  • Daytime running LEDs
  • Solar absorbing glass

Safety
9.3/10

You will notice some noteworthy safety technologies with the 2020 Chevy Bolt. With the Driver Confidence Package, you’ll get automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. With the base Bolt LT model, you only get optional rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot warning.

  • 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Safety Features
  • Theft-deterrent system, unauthorized entry The theft-deterrent alarm system sounds the horn and flashes the exterior lights to help deter an attempted break-in.
  • StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
  • LED Daytime Running Lamps
  • Passenger Sensing System
  • 10 standard airbags Dual-stage frontal, roof rail-mounted head-curtain side-impact and seat-mounted side-impact thorax protection for front and rear outboard seating positions, and knee protection for driver and front passenger (includes Passenger Sensing System).
  • Safety belts, 3-point driver, and front passenger includes pre-tensioners and load limiters
  • Safety belts, 3-point, rear outboard, and center position
  • Safety belt indicator, driver
  • Rear child security door locks
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • Rear Vision Camera

Competition
7.0/10

Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf is the longest running and one of the most successful EV from the Japanese manufacturer. The car has powerful motor that is able to make 147hp and can travel a total distance of 151 miles on a single charge. Leaf also gets better equipment list than the Bolt and will cost you 7 grands cheaper than the Chevy Bolt

Chevrolet Bolt EV vs BMW i3

Selecting between the Chevy Bolt EV and the BMW i3 comes down to which fits your budget and priorities. The Beemer starts at $7,000 more than what you pay for the Bolt but offers high-end equipment, plush interior and also, the trust of BMW. BMW i3 has almost same efficiency number to that of Bolt but offers much less power than the latter.

Final Verdict

You can easily bet that the Chevy Bolt is important to General Motors. With a price tag of $37,495, you get an all-electric vehicle with a driving range of 248 miles on a single battery charge. GM brought the car into shape in less than two years, preparing it to compete against the anticipated Tesla Model 3. The Bolt is believed to be more like an idea and GM believes the buyers would go for it as it represents an idea of mobility. The new Bolt is affordable, accessible, high-tech, and versatile.

Frequently Asked Question(FAQ) about 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV

What is the price of Chevrolet Bolt EV?

The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $37,495 including destination, while the Premier opens at $41,780, both reflecting pricing before factoring in federal tax credits and state or local incentives.

How far the Bolt EV can go?

The 2020 Bolt is good for 238 miles of EV cruising range. Its e-motor boasts solid around-town torque and performance.

What is the 0 to 60 time of Chevrolet Bolt EV?

The Bolt Evo takes 6.5 seconds to reach 60 miles an hour.

Trims

    LT
    $36,620 onwards
    • Engine: electric FWD 1A
    • Horsepower: 200 hp hp
    • Torque: 266 lb.-ft.
    • 0-60 mph: 6.5 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 118 mpg
    Premier
    $41,020 onwards
    • Engine: electric FWD 1A
    • Horsepower: 200 hp hp
    • Torque: 266 lb.-ft.
    • 0-60 mph: 6.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 92 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 118 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$36,620- $41,020

Engine

electric

Rating

7.5

Horsepower

200 hp

Torque

266 lb.-ft.

Capacity

5

Read Review

$31,600- $43,900

electric

7.72

147 hp @ 3282 rpm

236 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

$44,450- $51,500

electric

7.09

170 hp @ 4800 rpm

184 lb.-ft.

4

Read Review

2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    SourceCompare
    6.5 sec16.5 sec
    7.68 sec-
    9.7 sec16.5 sec

    2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      SourceCompare
      127 mpg108 mpg118 mpg
      124 mpg102 mpg113 mpg
      123 mpg99 mpg111 mpg

      2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        164 in.69.5 in.62.8 in.5.5 in.102.4 in.
        176.4 in.70.5 in.61.4 in.5.9 in.106.3 in.
        158.3 in.69.9 in.62.9 in.5.5 in.101.2 in.

        2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          16.9 cu.ft.94.4 cu.ft.56.6 cu.ft.
          15.1 cu.ft.84 cu.ft.52.4 cu.ft.
          23.6 cu.ft.92.4 cu.ft.30 cu.ft.

          2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            81.4 cu.ft.16.9 cu.ft.56.6 cu.ft.
            36.9 cu.ft.15.1 cu.ft.52.4 cu.ft.
            30 cu.ft.23.6 cu.ft.30 cu.ft.

            2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -3563 lbs.
              1220 lbs.3538 lbs.
              814 lbs.2972 lbs. -

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              2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              ch

              Chris hart

              2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric

              LT 5dr Hatchback (electric DD)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 23, 2024

              Super fun comfortable small EV with a great ride with a lot of great features

              Pros - ["Performance in both standard and sport mode", "Technology for the price. The only features I would have liked to have would be a sunroof and auto folding side cview mirrors.", "Quietness and ride quality for such a small car"]

              Cons - ["Design outside was not the most actractive but against other small EV's it wasnt bad", "LG battery recall limited my full range over the entire life of my lease. Luckily it never impacted my driving needs", "More color options inside, less one color only options on interior"]

              I really enjoyed driving this car and was sad to turn in back at the end of the lease. I would have leased a new one but they had been discontinued and the Equinox replacement was not out yet. It was a very roommy small car with plenty of leg and headroom for even my tallest friends. I loved the handling and ride comfort both on long drives and just around town. It was very quiet and smooth but s...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review