2027 Chevrolet Bolt review: the cheapest EV in America bows out

A budget EV with a short shelf life

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt is back on sale as the least expensive electric vehicle in the United States, priced at $28,995 including destination fees, according to Engadget. That is roughly $10,000 below the original Bolt, which arrived in 2016 starting at under $40,000.

The return is brief. Engadget reports that the car will leave production again in just a few months, making this edition a send-off rather than a fresh start. The model had already survived a costly recall and a production pause before this comeback.

Chevrolet's electric history stretches back to the EV1 in 1996, with the 2010 Volt marking the brand's push toward affordable electrified motoring. The Bolt followed in 2016, and a second generation arrived in 2021 alongside the larger Bolt EUV.

New LFP pack and Tesla-style charging

The headline mechanical change is a lithium iron phosphate battery pack rated at 65 kilowatt-hours. In the LT trim Engadget reviewed, it carries an EPA estimate of 262 miles of range, up from the 238 miles the original Bolt promised.

A single front-mounted motor produces 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque. Engadget's mixed driving returned 4.0 miles per kilowatt-hour, which works out to a theoretical 260 miles per charge, closely matching the official figure.

The car now uses a NACS charging port, so Tesla Supercharger access is built in. Engadget notes that the battery problems that hurt earlier cars have been addressed, and the hatchback body carries over largely unchanged.

Practical cabin, old-school controls

The interior is basic by design. Textured rubber and hard plastics dominate, and the only option on the reviewed car was a $995 Comfort Package adding heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Space is a strength. The rear seat has generous room and a flat floor, and folding the 60/40 split bench opens 56.3 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to a Volvo EX40. With the seats up, there is 16.2 cubic feet.

The 11.3-inch touchscreen runs Chevrolet's Android Automotive system with Google Maps and the Play Store built in. Engadget praises the physical buttons and steering-wheel controls, a contrast with the capacitive touch panels spreading across the industry.

Where the Bolt falls short

The biggest complaint is the absence of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Chevrolet has dropped phone projection from the Bolt, so drivers wanting an app that is not available in Android Automotive must fall back on Bluetooth streaming. Engadget also describes the infotainment software as sluggish.

Driver assistance is mixed. Adaptive cruise control and auto-dimming headlights performed well, but lane-keep assist struggled to read markings even on well-lit, well-painted roads, letting the car drift before correcting.

Hands-free Super Cruise is offered only inside a $6,600 bundle that also includes ventilated seats and automatic wipers. Engadget points out that Super Cruise is a standalone option on many other Chevrolets, usually under $2,500.

Why the farewell matters

On the road, Engadget found the car punchy around town, with acceleration flattening near highway speeds and handling that is competent rather than exciting. Ride quality over rough surfaces and expansion joints is described as pleasant.

The verdict is that the Bolt remains comfortable, simple and cheap, with the missing smartphone projection the main frustration. Engadget frames the car as easy and familiar after a decade of variations.

For buyers, the timing is the catch. A low price and a practical hatchback shape make the 2027 Bolt attractive, but anyone considering one should confirm availability with Chevrolet dealers, since the model is set to disappear from showrooms again within months.