Chevy Bolt & Bolt EUV: Top Alternatives for 2023/22
John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John’s focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of an academic team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of the battery thermal control designer. After earning his engineering degree, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University. For 20 years, he applied his engineering and sales talents in the worlds of semiconductor manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, and automotive electronics supply chain. Always a writer, John has published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to online publications such as Car Talk, John’s work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers, and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites.
The Chevy Bolt five-door hatchback and Bolt EUV (electric utility vehicle) are two of the best affordable battery-electric vehicles by nearly any measure.
However, they are both currently off the market due to a recall involving a manufacturing defect in their battery packs that can cause fires.
For those shoppers looking for an affordable compact green vehicle, we offer this list of alternatives.
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Chevy Bolt and Bolt EUV Weaknesses
The Takeaway: The Chevy Bolt and Bolt EUV are two of the best affordable battery-electric vehicles one can own. However, they are presently off the market.
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The Bolt is a small five-door car, and the Bolt EUV is a slightly larger vehicle with expanded space in the rear seating area. Both have similar cargo specifications, but in practical use, the owner will find that the Bolt EUV offers more depth for cargo. Each has a range of about 250 miles. Based on our testing, the Bolt line offers the best infotainment package in the segment. The Bolt EUV also offers the best assisted driving technology. Called Super Cruise, it allows for hands-free highway operation. Finally, the Bolt has earned a long record of high scores for reliability based on Consumer Reports surveys.
It is unclear when the Bolt will return to the new vehicle market and how the Bolts the company has been buying back will be resold. By all estimations, new Bolts will not be back on the market for quite some time. Likely well into 2022. “We will replace current owner modules first,” Kevin Kelly, Chevrolet’s Senior Manager, Product and Brand Communications, told us regarding the Bolt battery replacement plan.
Chevy Bolt & Bolt EUV vs. Competitors
| Model | Range In Miles | EPA-Estimated Annual Energy Cost | Passenger Volume | Max Cargo Volume | Base Price After Federal Tax Incentive* |
| Chevy Bolt | |||||
| Chevy Bolt EUV | |||||
| Kia Niro EV | |||||
| Hyundai Kona | |||||
| Toyota Prius Prime | |||||
| Volkswagen ID.4 | |||||
| Mazda MX-30 |
*Bolt and Bolt EUV were not eligible for federal tax incentives at the time of publication.
1. Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona is a great-looking small crossover with a fun-to-drive demeanor. Like the 2022 Bolt line, the Kona Electric offers wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
The Limited trim offers heated seats and a heated steering wheel, options we look for in EVs since they reduce the need to run the HVAC system.
Hyundai includes three years of maintenance in its purchase price and offers a 10-year warranty, twice that of the GM warranty.
Those looking for the value option on this list will find it in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
The Takeway: Hyundai followed the same basic game plan with its Kona Electric that GM did when it built the Bolt.
Current Hyundai Kona Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hyundai | Kona Electric | ||||
| 2023 | Hyundai | Kona Electric | $750 | 1.90% | $269/month for 36 months, $3,999 due at signing | 5/31/23 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Hyundai deals and average prices paid.
2. Kia Niro EV
The Kia Niro EV is one of our favorite vehicles. This five-door hatchback electric vehicle is a bit larger than the Bolt EUV, but just as fun for point-and-shoot urban driving. We drove it back to back with a Tesla Model 3 SR+ and found that we preferred the Kia.
Like all Kia vehicles, the Niro feels well-built and has a sporty personality. The Niro features a clean interior design devoid of clutter. The same can be said of its instrumentation and controls. The Niro will appeal to drivers who put function ahead of form. Note that is a bit larger than the Hyundai Kona, but also a bit pricier.
The Takeaway: The Kia Niro EV is one of the hidden gems in the affordable EV marketplace.
Current Kia Niro EV Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Kia | Niro EV | ||||
| 2023 | Kia | Niro EV | 2.90% | $329/month for 36 months, $3,999 due at signing | 7/5/23 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Kia deals.
3. Toyota Prius Prime
The Toyota Prus Prime is not a fully electric vehicle. Rather, it is a high-efficiency hybrid that can also act as an all-electric vehicle for a typical commute of about 25 miles.
At no time in its operation is it a “conventional” vehicle. Although the Prius Prime is not fully-electric it has an EPA MPGe rating higher than many BEVs. That translates to a cost per for energy close to an all-electric car. Finally, the Prius Prime has no timing belt and is surprisingly maintenance-free.
Setting aside the mechanical specifics of why a Prius Prime may be an alternative to a Chevy Bolt, is the fact that it has one of the longest streaks of perfect 5/5 reliability ratings of any vehicle, according to Consumer Reports.
The Takeaway: Those who want to reduce their environmental footprint and keep their cost of ownership low should consider the Prius Prime.
Current Toyota Prius Prime Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Toyota deals and average prices paid.
4. Volkswagen ID.4
The ID.4 is a new battery-electric crossover vehicle from VW that comes in at the low-end of the EV compact crossover price range.
VW has been shipping the ID.4 in ever-increasing numbers and is planning to build it in Tennesee when its new plant is ready. Owners are reporting that they are thrilled with the new ID.4.
VW used a fresh sheet approach to design the ID.4. It doesn’t match up perfectly with the Bolt EUV, being a bit larger, but the prices nearly overlap. Three trims are presently offered, and AWD is starting soon.
The Takeaway: The Bolt EUV is not alone in the small crossover market, and the ID.4 offers more room and AWD for a bit more money.
Current Volkswagen ID.4 Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Volkswagen | ID.4 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Volkswagen deals.
5. Mazda MX-30
If you love the Mazda brand for its zoom-zoom driving satisfaction, be aware that Mazda is about to begin shipping a new battery-electric MX-30.
Built on the same platform as the CX-30, the new MX-30 is reported to be just as fun to drive as its siblings and all the usual Mazda quirks are there, including the odd infotainment system.
One thing to be aware of is that the MX-30 is a warm-weather short-range BEV. It is front-wheel drive only and offers just 100 miles of range in the best of conditions.
The Takeaway: If you live in a sunny climate and want a sporty car for local driving, the MX-30 is an interesting alternative.
