While some automakers are working on introducing their first electric vehicles, Chevrolet already has two models that boast significant battery-only driving range and their names even rhyme.
Besides their badges and the last three letters of their names, the Volt and the Bolt EV don’t have much in common. Besides the fact that one is built like a traditional sedan, while the other is a hatchback pseudo crossover, the biggest difference between the two is that the Volt is a plug-in hybrid while the Bolt runs exclusively on electricity.
While some automakers are still working on introducing their first affordable electric vehicles, Chevrolet has two in the market. But which is better EV?
(Joanna Tavares)
However, despite their differences, these two Chevy vehicles will compete with one another for EV customers as well as the final allotment of Chevrolet’s $7,500 federal tax credits in 2018.
For would-be early adopters, this raises the question: which bowtie-clad EV is the superior vehicle? I spent some extended time with both to find out.
With a lower profile and sharper accent lines, the Volt is the more stylish of the two Chevy EVs.
(Joanna Tavares)
Neither the Bolt nor the Volt does much to hide their eco-friendly aspirations. Both vehicles feature steep, drag-resistant rooflines, fake grilles and 17-inch aluminum wheels, all aimed at maximizing aerodynamics.
Of the two, the Volt is the more stylish offering, with its low center of gravity, sharp accent lines and prominent rear haunches. It’s sleeker than direct competitors such as the Toyota Prius Prime and Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, and more likely than its battery-only counterpart to blend in with the general population. Plus, being a sedan gives it a natural advantage over the Bolt, which is somewhere between a large hatchback and a small crossover.
However, as the newer of the two, the Bolt brings more contemporary design features such as its compact, LED-laced headlights, a floating roof and a black fake grille. Also, my test vehicle came equipped with a set of Thule roof racks, which gave it a more athletic appearance and even drew a few interested eyeballs.
As the newer of the two vehicles, the Bolt EV offers more modern styles cues, including LED-line headlights and a floating roof C-pillar.
(Joanna Tavares)
Like the wind-resistant exterior, optimal fuel economy is at the heart of the Bolt’s Spartan interior. Rather than loading it up with infotainment technology or cushy, power seats, Chevy decided to keep the cabin simple and sparse to keep weight as low as possible.
Meanwhile, the Volt offers more padding, additional tech features, a larger center console, creating a more premium aesthetic.
For its first battery-only vehicle, Chevrolet wanted to make a splash by maximizing range and minimizing price. It did just that with the Bolt, which can get more than 200 miles per charge while for a base price of roughly $30,000 after a federal tax credit. However, this achievement came at the expense of style and comfort, so the design category goes to the less stingy Volt.
Sometimes less is more: in this case the single powertrain inside the Bolt EV out performs the Volt’s two motors.
(Joanna Tavares)
Not only is the Bolt the more environmentally friendly of the two options, offering a driving experience that’s 100 percent emission-free, it’s also the more enthusiast-oriented EV.
Unlike traditional gas-powered, internal combustion engines, which need to gear up before reaching optimal power output, the electric motor inside the Bolt EV puts everything to the ground immediately, offering a 266 lb.-ft. of instant torque, enough to pin me to my chair and deposit a little rubber on the road in the process.
All of the upfront thrust is, unfortunately, offset by lower output at higher RPMs, so the acceleration and power level off fairly quickly, so it won’t put up much of a fight on a track or drag strip. However, in my opinion, the spritely, go-kart-like characteristics of Bolt make it more enjoyable to operate in real world driving conditions.
As a low-slung sedan with a gas engine, the Volt offers a more traditional driving experience than the Bolt.
(Joanna Tavares)
For those more interested in miles than smiles, the Bolt offers one-pedal driving, which means the car can bring itself to a stop without the driver having to touch the brake pedal. This allows the vehicle to recapture some of the energy being expended by the battery, thus extending total range. This feature can be accessed two ways; either by switching into low mode, which serves as a sort of engine-less engine braking that brings the car to a stop as soon as the accelerator is released, or by squeezing a paddle on the left side of the steering wheel. The challenge that hypermiling provides is entertaining its own right.
Chevy also includes the regenerative steering paddle inside the Volt but it doesn’t have nearly the same stopping power or regenerative ability as the Bolt, so the driver still needs both pedals.
With its heavier, low-slung design, the Volt offers more traditionally appealing driving dynamics, a performance-enhancing Sport mode as well as the immediate torque boost from the electric motor; however, it’s no speed machine, as it totals only 149 horsepower compared to the 200-horspower output of the Bolt.
Rather than outfit it with plush and powered seats, Chevrolet kept the accomodations simple inside the Bolt EV to keep both the price and weight as low as possible.
(Joanna Tavares)
Looking to provide more mass appeal and functionality, the Volt has a net range of more than 400 miles between its two powertrains. It also offers a Hold mode, which lets the driver switch over to gas-only driving on command, holding the battery charge in place, and Mountain mode, which reserves a bit of electric charge in case the driver needs some added thrust.
With nearly 17 cubic feet of cargo room and room for five, the Bolt is better suited than the Volt for moving around people and things.
(Joanna Tavares)
When it comes to moving people and stuff, neither vehicle is particularly adept but the Bolt has the edge thanks to its taller body, more spacious interior.
Since it doesn’t need a transmission or a drive shaft and the 60 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is stashed below the floor, the Bolt’s interior is quite open. Despite being narrower than the Volt, the Bolt offers a lot more rear passenger room than its sedan counterpart, which is constricted by a rear-mounted battery pack and a mechanical clutter, essentially limiting it to two backseat occupants compared to the Bolt’s three.
Although it has three rear seat belts, the Volt can really only fit two passengers in the backseat because of its limited legroom.
(Joanna Tavares)
With nearly 17 cubic feet of trunk space, which can be expanded by folding the backseats flat or removing the false bottom, the Bolt does have a ton of cargo room, but it’s a good deal more than the Volt, which is limited to 10.6 cubic feet. Also, the Bolt has amble room for a bag, backpack or other reasonably-sized item between the center console and the center stack, an area usually reserved for combustion engine’s gearbox.
Also, while it doesn’t have the ground clearance or the necessary all-wheel drive to be considered a true crossover, the Bolt does the upright driving position that many of today’s shoppers crave. I prefer sitting closer to the road to feel more engaged while I drive, so the Volt is more my style, but statistics show the average driver probably doesn’t agree with me.
Chevrolet gas given the Volt a more premium interior than than threadbare Bolt EV.
Electric cars depreciate in value much more quickly than their gas-powered counterparts because of their rapid obsolescence and concerns about their longevity.
Now, the Bolt might buck this trend because of its industry-leading range and its eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, but conventional knowledge still points to hybrid vehicles retaining their value better than other vehicles that rely exclusively on gasoline or electricity. So this, in addition to its lower base MSRP—$34,490 compared to the Bolt’s $37,495—make the Volt the better long-term value purchase, especially since both vehicles qualify for the same government incentives.
Chevrolet kept the interior of the Bolt sparse yet spacious to cut down on weight.
(Joanna Tavares)
With 53 miles of electric range, the Volt should be able to keep most commutes free of greenhouse gas emissions and the fact that it has a gas engine that can extend its range to an estimated 420 miles means it can be driven farther without causing anxiety and its tough to put a price tag on peace of mind.
Also, since the Bolt needs an electric charge in order to run, owners are essentially forced to buy an in-home 240-volt adapter or else they’ll have to suffer the painfully slow charge rate of 4 miles per hour with a standard 120-volt wall outlet. That adds between $1,500 and $2,000 to an owner’s expenses before he or she can even plug the vehicle in.
The Volt can achieve a full charge in four and a half hours with a 240-volt adapter.
Like anything that comes with a battery, the Bolt and Volt both have pluses and minuses. The Volt looks and has more range while the Bolt provides a more enjoyable driving experience and better utility. Ultimately, as with any vehicle purchase, it comes down to lifestyle and personal preference.
If I were going to buy one of these two vehicles, it would be the Volt. I prefer the experience of driving a sedan and since I don’t have a family to tote around, I don’t have a problem sacrificing interior room for exterior looks and the ability to go on a proper road trip without making half-hour stops at a charging station.
With 266 lb.-ft. of instantly accessible torque, the Bolt EV has peppy, go-kart-like driving dynamics.
(Joanna Tavares)
However, the question here is not which one I like better but rather, which is the better EV. For that, I have to give the advantage to the Bolt because it has zero emissions, enough range to conquer even the most demanding of commutes and it’s functional for someone who has to move around more than their own person.
Plus, while the style and layout of the Volt suit my personal tastes, I recognize that the average customer places more value on the comfort of sitting upright than I do.
The ultimate goal of car shopping is finding a vehicle that makes you happiest and if you’re in the market for something electric, I believe that vehicle is the Chevrolet Bolt EV.
