2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV Pros vs Cons

259 miles of all-electric range is hard to top, but it also makes for a pricy vehicle. Now that Tesla and General Motors have sold enough electric vehicles, there is no available federal tax credit to lower the price of the vehicle for buyers. So, what did Chevy decide to do? Drop the price by a hefty $5,500 on the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV. And it truly boosts the overall value of the Bolt EV (which is cheaper than the new Bolt EUV crossover). Based on customer feedback, GM made some serious changes to the 2022 line-up. From the bumpers to the technological gadgetry, GM went ahead and made buying the Bolt EV even more attractive than before. Let's get into those details.

What's New for 2022?

New for the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a totally revised exterior and interior design. GM designed a more contemporary-looking interior that creates a visual sense of space. Also, the seats have been restructured for more comfort and support. The dash is now more reminiscent of a classic Chevy than it is of the futuristic 2021 Bolt EV. But that doesn't mean the 2022 model isn't tech-savvy. In fact, there is a new 10.2-inch touchscreen display that supports wireless smartphone app integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There is an option for a wireless charger, and the push-button shifter is now positioned on the center console. There is also a one-pedal driving button on the center console. Also available for this model year is adaptive cruise control.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV – The Pros

1. 259 Miles of All-electric Range

The biggest reason people buy the Bolt EV is its all-electric range. The 2022 Chevy Bolt EV still gets the 259 miles of all-electric range that the previous model year got. In fact, some drivers have found that they can get almost 280 miles on a full charge. The Bolt EV's sole electric motor puts forth a total of 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, sending that power to the front wheels. The 65-kWh battery pack generates the electric power, which is certainly ample for reaching 259 miles on one charge.

2. A New Cord For Faster Charging

The previous Bolt EV was pretty slow to charge. GM solved that problem for 2022 by offering a cord that has 120-volt and 240-volt connections. Instead of buying a separate charging station, you can choose to charge up at home with the 240-volt connection - that is, if you have a 240-volt outlet at home. The new cord means that you will only need about 9 hours to recharge from a fully drained battery.

3. The One-pedal Driving Button

Another change for 2022 is the addition of the one-pedal driving button located on the center console. This lets the system use regenerative braking to stop the Bolt EV without using the brake pedal in certain driving situations. As the driver takes their foot off the accelerator, the vehicle will slow down instead of just coasting like it would in a regular gas-powered model. The battery will actually recharge a little as the vehicle slows down. Sure, this takes a little bit of training for the driver, but it is a clever concept.

4. Comfy Front Seats

GM listened to consumer complaints and pulled the old, uncomfortable seats from the previous Bolt EV iteration. They have been sculpted with better padding that is meant to conform more comfortably to the spine and thighs. This should provide better support for long journeys - something you just cannot get in the old Bolt EV.

5. Controls Are Easy to Use

Smartly integrated into the dash is the 10.2-inch touchscreen display. Drivers can easily reach it, and the menus are easy to use. What's more, the old drive mode shifter has been replaced with buttons. Every button (for example, Reverse and Drive) has its own distinct shape and is clearly labeled. There is no guesswork in which function a particular button performs, and they quickly become intuitive. You will not even have to look down to press these buttons.

6. Generous Cabin and Cargo Space

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV is one of the more spacious models in its segment. It still sits at 69.5 inches wide but has gained half an inch in height. This makes it rival in size the 2021 Kona Electric. With all seats in place, you get 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space. This is .3 cubes smaller than the 2021 model, but it is still a good size for the segment. Folding the rear seats down maxes cargo space out to 57 cubes, which is one of the better numbers for the segment.

7. More Driver Aids

This year brings more driver aids with it, although you might wish more of them were standard. The 2022 Bolt EV is equipped with the Chevy Safety Assist package. This gives the vehicle automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a forward collision warning. There are options available for a 360-degree surround-view camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

8. A New Infotainment System

The new 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a welcome change. The screen is the same size as last year, but the system gets upgraded to the popular Chevy Infotainment 3 interface used in other Chevy and GM vehicles. This system is known for being user-friendly but still tech-savvy at the same time.

9. Wireless Smartphone App Integration

Ditch the cord and utilize wireless smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Some auto makers still have not included this functionality or are just starting to make it optional, so it is nice to see GM equipping it on the Bolt EV. It takes away the clutter that USB cords create and makes it even easier to sync your smartphone with the vehicle.

10. A More Stylish (and Less Futuristic) Design

The Bolt EV was in need of a makeover, and this year's refresh makes it look more modern. The highly futuristic dash from last year has been swapped out in favor of a more Chevy-esque, modern design. The exterior also has a redesigned front grille that moves away from the standard black you see on mostly every vehicle out there.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV – The Cons

1. Super Cruise Isn't Available On the Bolt Hatchback

Unfortunately, the biggest let-down is the fact that Super Cruise is not available on the Chevy Bolt EV hatchback. Instead, you have to go for the new crossover Bolt EUV in order to get it. This is a hands-free driving assistance system that only comes on the EUV's line-topping Premier trim level. This means you have to pay more to get it and buy a crossover instead of a hatch. It would have been nice to see GM slap it on the Bolt EV as an option since buyers in this market seem to want it.

2. Too Many Safety Features Are Optional

Too many safety features are left as pricy options. You will have to pay more in order to get rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control, which come standard on many vehicles these days. When you have to consider also shelling out more cash for blind spot monitoring or the 360-degree surround-view camera system, the Bolt EV's price tag quickly steepens, sending that $5,500 price reduction out the window.

3. Some Households Will Need the Complimentary Basic Outlet Installation

Not every household is equipped with a 240-volt power outlet for charging the Bolt EV. If your house does not have one, you will have to ask for the complimentary basic outlet installation from GM and Qmerit. In other words, you will not be able to charge up your vehicle right away on the 240-volt connection and will have to use an alternative method.

4. Lacks Tesla's Multimedia Entertainment Capabilities

Tesla surpasses GM in terms of multimedia entertainment capabilities. Inside of a Tesla, you can pop on your favorite Netflix show or movie for entertainment. GM is going to have some catching-up to do in this regard if they want to keep competing with Tesla.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric

Matching the Bolt EV on all-electric range is the Hyundai Kona Electric. They also match very closely in terms of size. The Kona Electric is fun to drive given its snappy acceleration and crisp handling capabilities. Its cabin is comfortable and quiet, and it is loaded with a lot of standard infotainment and safety features. On the downside, the Kona Electric is not widely available, limited to just some states. Also, leg room can feel rather tight for taller individuals.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

The brand-new 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV is a crossover model based on the EV. Therefore, you can expect its size to be more generous, with plentiful cabin space. It gets an estimated 247 miles of all-electric range and lets you opt for Super Cruise on the Premier trim level. Unfortunately, its front seats could use some remodeling since they border on the firmer side. Additionally, the Bolt EUV has slightly less cargo space than the Bolt EV does.

Conclusion

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV is slated to be a popular sell for an all-electric vehicle. The Bolt EV faces increasing competition due to consumer demands and tech innovations, but this year's model checks off all the boxes for things that the 2021 line-up needed improvements upon. All in all, it is a well-rounded vehicle that still offers superior electric range.