All-New 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Review – Fun Electric Utility Vehicle

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is flat-out fun to drive.  In fact, I was surprised just how fun.

So EUV is the acronym Chevy is going with.  And it stands for an electric utility vehicle.  To me, it’s a bigger, faster, and more comfortable Bolt.  But, oh man, it’s ‘go-kart’ fun to drive.

✅ Southern California’s Chevrolet Headquarters is Martin Chevrolet.

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2022 Chevrolet Bolt Electric Utility Vehicle Review

Chevy’s website touts Bolt EUV’s 0 to 60 MPH as 7.0-seconds.  And after driving it, that seems really off.  Because it feels way quicker.

Maybe Bolt EUV’s quickness lies in its 0 to 30 MPH time.  But whatever the case, it’s fun to drive.  Specifically in acceleration but also handling.

Plus inside is very well laid out and comfortable.  Quality surfaces to the touch as well as the fit.  Consequently, Bolt EUV delivers a solid drive while also feeling solid.

Additionally, Bolt EUV is the first Chevy to offer Super Cruise.  And that is hands-free driver assistance tech on roads that are enabled.

Trim Configurations And Prices

The all-new Chevrolet Bolt EUV is being offered in two trims for 2022.  And I was surprised to realize the trim that I test drove wasn’t the top of the line.

So my test driver, pictured throughout this article, was the LT trim.  All things considered, during my test drive, I thought for certain that I was cruising in the top trim level.  Because even the LT had that many creature comforts.

Electric Drive, Charing And, Range

Regardless of trim, the 2022 Bolt EUV is being offered in two-wheel drive.  Specifically, that’s front-wheel drive.

Additionally, the same single motor and gear set with a permanent magnetic drive motor come in both trims.  And that setup delivers 200 horsepower with 266 pound-feet of torque.

Charging Times

Of course, charging times vary.  Because it all depends on what type of charger you’re using.

To be clear, the 120 V charger is your typical at-home wall socket.  Then the two different 240 V options are chargers EV owners typically have install at their homes.  Which leaves DC fast charging.  And that’s charging available at public facilities.  Like highway fueling/charging stations.

Range And MPGe

MPGe is an acronym that stands for miles per gallon equivalent.  Because ‘gallons’ of electricity does not exist.  At least not yet anyway. :0)

So the MPGe for the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV varies as well.  And that’s because it really depends on how much strain you put on the vehicle’s overall systems.  Like the air conditioning system.  Or the ventilated seats.  I used both extensively during my test drive.  (And it didn’t seem to impact the vehicle’s performance a bit.)

But what all this really breaks down to is the vehicle’s range.  Or how far will it go on a full charge?  And the EPA-estimated range for the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV is 247 miles on a full charge.

Finally, for the record – and the curious, the MPGe is 125 in the city and 104 on the highway.  For a combined total of 115 MPGe.

What Does The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV Look Like?

Since the smaller Chevy Bolt is just a couple of years old, the larger Chevy Bolt EUV looks pretty much identical – only bigger.  And in my opinion, it looks better than its smaller sibling.

Maybe it’s because of the slightly different dimensions or proportions.  Perhaps it’s simply due to the bigger-ness.  But I find it more aesthetically appealing.  Because it kind of loses some of that EV-ish look and feel.

And call me a bit of a car guy… cause I am.  But, the wheels on my LT-trimmed test driver were sharp.

Even though they’re electric vehicle rims, Chevy managed to make them look sharp.

Inside The 5-Seat EUV

The interior of the all-new Bolt EUV is where I really got confused.  Due to the upscale materials and features.  Plus the ultra-quiet cabin plaid a factor for sure.

And I have to point out my favorite feature (in just about any car I get into) ventilated seats!  Because Bolt EUV has them – and they were the coolest I’ve felt to date.

So inside was spacious, comfortable and everything was quality to the touch.  Additionally, there were no joints or panel connections that felt less than a high-line vehicle quality.

Bolt EUV even has a flat-bottom steering wheel.  Plus that one paddle shifter lever that you see on the left side of the steering wheel.  Well, that’s not a paddle-shifter.  That’s a regenerative braking lever.  And it works great.

Something about the infotainment screen that I noticed.  At first, I thought it was odd.  But then I realized it’s brilliant.  And you can’t really tell in pictures.  But the infotainment monitor is mounted in the dash with a slight upward tilt.  Consequently, throughout my test drive, I experience zero glare issues from the sun – here in sunny Southern California.

And the backseat is exceedingly comfortable with ample legroom.  In fact, the Bolt EUV has 3-more inches of legroom in the backseat over its sibling Bolt EV.  And that vehicle’s backseat is comfortable.

Infotainment And Safety Technology

As indicated above the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV has a lot going for it already.  However, the technology it offers adds to the value proposition significantly.

For instance, fast charging is standard.  Further Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are as well.  Also, a 10.2 HD touchscreen works with an overall user-friendly infotainment system.  And that system is easy to use.  Moreover, it’s easy to grasp as soon as you hop in.

To be clear, I’ve spent hours messing with the infotainment system in my wife’s Lexus.  And, I still don’t get it.  But not even ten minutes into my test drive and I was operating everything about the Bolt EUV.

And that includes the sport and one-pedal drive modes.  Both of which greatly alter how the Bolt EUV responds on the road.  So sport mode is what you’d expect – a bit more fun behind the wheel.  While the one-pedal drive allows you to enhance battery regeneration.  At first, I didn’t care for it.  Then I hit a stretch of stop-and-go traffic – and loved it.

Super Cruise

While my test driver didn’t have it, Chevy’s new Super Cruise is available on the Bolt EUV.  In fact, it’s the first Chevy to offer the feature.  And Chevy’s calling Super Cruise the ‘industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance technology.’  To be clear, that is for specifically enabled roads.

On top of all that Chevy Safet Assist is standard which includes all of the additional driver assistance features.  Like lane keep assist, lane departure warning, emergency braking, and more.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Top-3

So back to my Top-3 for the all-new Chevy Bolt EUV.

1. The Drive – It’s a fun car to drive because of its solid feel on the road but especially its near-exact feeling acceleration under your right foot.
2. Interior – Even with the entry-level LT trim, the Bolt EUV battles above its weight class.  And that’s with the fit, finish and, available features.
3. Technology  – Bolt EUV is packed standard with driver assistance and smart EV tech.  Add to that available Super Cruise and its a tough value proposition to beat.

Martin Chevrolet – iDriveSoCal’s Chevy Dealer

Thanks to our friends at Martin Chevrolet for providing the all-new 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV for this review.

Chevrolet, find new roads!

 

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