Skip to main content

Review: Testing the Limits of the All-New Chevy Bolt EV

I’ll admit it: Before stepping into the Chevy Bolt EV, I was a skeptic.

I wasn’t really sure I’d enjoy driving the all-electric car to and from Denver to Glacier Basin at Rocky Mountain National Park. I didn’t know if I’d have the same flexibility or spontaneous freedom that comes with a traditional gas zoomer.

Recommended Videos

Chevy invited me out to do exactly this and test the limits of the 2017 Bolt EV, which went on sale in Colorado this month.

At first glance, you get the feeling it’s going to be at least a little zippy. At 102.4 in. from wheel to wheel, it comes in quite a bit shorter than the Honda Fit, while being a few inches longer than its sister, the Sonic. And for the record, it does have a bit of push under the accelerator. But to get there, you have to know how to optimally drive the thing. A PR rep from the brand gave us five writers a quick tutorial on the Bolt EV’s regenerative braking system, which when used right, gets somewhere near the EPA-estimated 238-mile range (more on all of that later).

Chevy Bolt Electric Car Testing In Rocky Mountains National Park
Image used with permission by copyright holder

I was paired with a Nightfall Grey Premier version reading 4100 miles on the odometer and set off on Colorado 36 towards Boulder. Another publicist would be my co-pilot.

The Bolt EV’s interior is an array of screens and numbers, most notably a cluster inside the dash that can be completely controlled with an arrow pad on the steering wheel. One of the key relays on the screen is the range meter, which constantly updates based on your driving skill.

This is where the whole “regenerative braking” thing comes in. When driving in its “Low” mode, the driver can pull off the pedal slowly, allowing the car to regenerate energy instead of using energy to brake.

Yes, at first, it’s a bit strange. But it’s almost like an automotive ballet – a delicate balance of easing on the pedal, while letting the car take over and roll to a stop in about the same length you would normally brake. At higher speeds, this process is a bit jittery, but it also helps extend the driving range. After you’ve mastered the ballet, you’re ready for the recital.

After a stop for lunch in Boulder, we ascended the remainder of Colorado 6 towards Estes Park and the Park entrance. It’s a hell of a drive with scenery at every turn and plenty of turns to gauge handling. The Bolt EV’s 17” Michelin Selfseal all-season tires stuck to each twist and responded well while gauging speeds through the regenerative system.

Chevy Bolt Electric Car Testing In Rocky Mountains National Park
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We spent the night in a valley campsite surrounded by a number of spectacular peaks and the Continental Divide. A sustainable meal prepared by a volunteer from environmental group Leave No Trace was a fitting complement to a drive up that sped past every gas station and left the 20th century in its wake.

The next morning, we all piled in to two of the five vehicles in the fleet and went for an early hike up to Bear Lake (trailhead: 9475 ft.) The Bolt took a car full of explorers through winding turns in stride and rolled to a comfortable stop in the parking lot. Elevation issues non-existent.

The Chevy Bolt EV has this way of making you try to drive better than you do with your normal gas guzzler back home. An internal computer spits out a variety of numbers that scores you on your electric driving ability (yours truly was among the top on the trip). So, the drive back down was an excellent time to cruise on half a full charge and make it to Denver International with about 60 miles to spare. (Final mileage around 200 miles.)

Chevy Bolt Electric Car Testing In Rocky Mountains National Park
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Bolt EV isn’t the most riveting car on the road by any means, but it does make you rethink the future of the everyday vehicle. It’s supremely quiet and causally whizzes its way through freeway traffic like a sleuth. The technology packed into its 3,563 pound frame is a testament to American ingenuity and you have to think it would be everything the average Yankee driver needs and more.

It comes in around $30,000 after rebates and credits, which puts it in the ballpark of much sportier and dynamic cars, but there’s the little benefit of not having to stop at the gas station. It’s not quite enough for me to run to the dealer, but add all-wheel drive to an all-electric package that’s this functional, and consider my season tickets to the ballet sold.

Topics
Geoff Nudelman
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff is a former contributor to The Manual. He's a native Oregonian who’s always up for a good challenge and a great hike…
F1 Miami Grand Prix 2025 preview: bright livery and hot competition
McLaren looks to hold onto the top positions in the 2025 Miami Grand Prix
The first Gordon Ramsay F1 Garage in 2025 with be at the Miami Grand Prix

Formula 1 is in Miami for the sixth race of the 2025 F1 Grand Prix schedule. The Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix is one of the six Sprint races of the year, with the shorter Sprint race on Saturday, June 3 at noon E.T.  and the Grand Prix scheduled to start at 4:00 PM Sunday.
The Miami Grand Prix circuit

The 3.36-mile Miami International Autodrome is set up each year at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Running for 57 laps, the Grand Prix is 191.6 miles long. It's a street circuit, laid out around the stadium for the first time in 2022. There are three Drag Reduction System (DRS) zones to enhance passing opportunities, featuring three straights, 19 corners, and significant elevation changes.

Read more
Smarten up your ride: save big on Ford accessories this May
Ford Bronco with kayak on top

Looking for a smarter, more connected way to personalize your vehicle? Here’s some news that’s better than a fully charged EV: Ford’s sitewide accessories sale is live. From May 1 through May 31, head to Ford.com/accessories and score 20% off genuine Ford accessories with the code SHOP525.

Genuine Ford accessories offer smart upgrades designed to level up your ride. You can boost connectivity, enhance safety, or add a little style to your drive with products that are engineered to fit your Ford perfectly. This month-long savings event makes it easier to bring your vehicle up to your tech standards.

Read more
Zero entry-level e-bikes get price hike after May 18; order early and save
Act now to lock in pricing on Zero Motorcycles entry-level e-bikes
Zero Motorcycles 2025 XE airborne.

Zero Motorcycles is giving U.S. dealers and customers the chance to save if they order 2026 Zero XB or XE electric motorcycles by May 18. Zero will raise the prices on both models on May 19, with the new pricing structure for U.S. deliveries to be announced later.
Global economics behind price hikes
2025 Zero Motorcycles XB Zero Motorcycles

According to Zero, the price changes are due to new "tariffs and recent changes in the global economic landscape."

Read more