The resurrected 2027 Chevrolet Bolt is the cheapest EV you can buy at $29,990, but it might not be worth it

Folks, you all wanted it, and Chevy delivered: After discontinuing it in 2023, the Bolt is back for the 2027 model year. What we have is an electric vehicle that’s packed with features, has a range of over 250 miles, and is still available with a starting price of under $30,000. When it officially goes on sale in the first quarter of 2026, it will be the cheapest EV money can buy, but you’ll have to act quickly. Chevy says this is a “limited edition,” though it’s not clear how limited it really is (or why it’s limited at all, though I have my suspicions).

While the 2027 Bolt may look (perhaps too) similar to the previous Bolt EUV, it’s what’s under the skin that really matters, or so I’m told. There’s an updated battery that can charge a lot faster than before via the native NACS port, an all-new interior with updated technology and hands-free Super Cruise is available. This is the cheap, mass-market EV that people have been clamoring for.

When the 2027 Bolt first goes on sale, it will start at $29,990 (including $1,395 destination) for the launch model. Later in the model year, a more affordable LT trim will become available for $28,995, which is below the $31,485 Nissan Leaf.

The new Bolt’s upgraded batteries, motors and software better align it with GM’s newer electric vehicles, which are powered by the company’s Ultium platform. The Bolt will use a single motor mounted on the front axle that delivers a breathtaking 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque, designed in-house and adopted from the Equinox EV. Of course, you don’t buy a Bolt for speed. You buy it for efficiency. Chevy says the new Bolt can travel up to 250 miles on a single charge, which is right between the old EV (257 miles) and the EUV (247 miles).

It is the first Chevy vehicle to use Tesla’s NACS charging port as standard. The 2027 Bolt can charge DC fast at up to 150 kW, which isn’t great by modern standards, but it’s 2.5 times faster than the old car, and because the LFP battery is so small (just 65 kWh), it can now do DC fast charging from 10% to 80% in 26 minutes. Not bad, but still far from other EVs.

The Bolt 2027 also comes with bi-directional charging from vehicle to home. That means you can keep the lights on in your home if you have it equipped with a GM Energy Home System, which costs almost as much as the car.

As I said, the 2027 Bolt is hard to distinguish from the outside, but the interior has undergone a pretty thorough redesign. Screen enthusiasts will love that there are some nice big displays for your gauge cluster (11 inches) and infotainment screen (11.3 inches), and knob heads will love that there are still a slew of hard buttons for your HVAC controls, plus a volume knob. Like GM’s other new EVs, there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but it remains with GM’s own infotainment system with built-in Google and all kinds of available apps.

Beneath those hard buttons you’ll find USB-C ports, a wireless charging tray for your phone, and massive storage space, thanks to the space freed up by the now column-mounted shifter. Most importantly, there’s an available panoramic sunroof, something you don’t get on the $41,000+ Tesla Model Y Standard. Other available features include a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats.

Chevrolet

There are a few exterior styling changes, such as modified headlights and taillights, new bumpers and a new design for the 17-inch wheels, but that’s about it. I suppose there’s a new-to-the-Bolt RS trim, which gives the car new badging, black wheels and roof rails, but if that gets you excited, I think you’ll have to call someone. There are a total of seven exterior colors to choose from, including Atomic Yellow on the RS.

I’ll be honest with you: I’m a little confused about the 2027 Bolt. I understand it’s the cheapest EV you can buy, but for a little bit more money you can get the truly new Nissan Leaf. That car has much more range and is not just a warmed-up version of a car that first went into production in 2016. As for value, I’m just not sure the Bolt is there.

The fact that it’s a limited edition model makes me think the “new” Bolt is a stopgap while GM works on a real replacement for this car, because as it stands I’m not sure this car it is. That shouldn’t be the case. This is not what a best-effort vehicle looks like. Sure, it undercuts everyone else on price, but it also undercuts them on features and performance. I know GM can build great EVs, and the new Bolt is a great EV… if you pretend we’re in 2019.