Chevrolet has just revealed an all-new EV as well as a big refresh for its current electric model. The 2022 Bolt EUV adds a healthy amount of rear seat size with nearly no range penalty, while the revised version of the Bolt EV for 2022 gives it a more modern look, updated interior, and a much lower price.
All-New Bolt EUV Crossover to Join Refreshed Bolt EV Hatchback
The Chevrolet Bolt EUV, for Electric Utility Vehicle, is bigger than the Bolt hatch. Its overall length measures 4,306 mm, 161 mm longer than the Bolt EV hatch, with a wheelbase measuring 75 mm longer. That extra length affords an extra 72 mm of rear-seat knee room, a place Chevrolet said buyers really wanted the extra room. Despite the extra passenger room and styling that shares no body panels with the Bolt EV, the EUV is only 5 mm wider and offers slightly less cargo space. That’s 462 L behind the rear seat, 8 L less than Bolt EV, and 1,611 L with them folded, a probably unnoticeable 3 L less than the EV.
A new front fascia on Bolt EV brings it in line with the EUV model, though both are unique; the Bolt EUV has a more prominent ridge between the headlights, a larger lower grille opening, and a more sharply tapered line from the rear door into the floating-look roof. The EUV also offers wider rear arches and a full-width tailgate.
Super Cruise, One-Pedal Driving
Chevrolet is making the Bolt EUV the first model in its lineup to get GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance system that can be used on more than 320,000 km of compatible divided highways in the US and Canada. Chevrolet said that it will be the first generation of the feature, meaning it can handle speed control and steering, but not the on-demand lane-changing of the Enhanced Super Cruise that is on the 2021 Cadillac CT4, CT5, and Escalade. That’s because the Bolt EUV uses an older architecture that isn’t compatible with the newer functionality, Chevrolet said.
The battery and propulsion system is an enhancement of what was used in the Bolt EV previously, with a 65 kWh lithium-ion battery pack in both the EUV and EV, with the smaller EV expected to deliver an estimated 417 km on a full charge – a slight increase from 2021 – while the EUV is capable of 402 km.
Standard DC fast-charging allows adding 160 km of range in 30 minutes for the EV or 154 km for the EUV model. A new charge cable can handle both 120V and 240V AC charging at up to 7.2 kW, so you can use the same cable for a standard wall plug or for a dryer-style plug. That cable will come to the EUV on launch, but will take a bit longer for the Bolt EV.
The motor is a 200-hp permanent-magnet motor with 266 lb-ft of torque, the same figures as the 2021 Bolt EV. Both drive the front wheels and, like most lower-cost EVs, AWD is not offered.
A new electronic gear shift is more conventional than that of the previous model making it easier to use as well as freeing up cabin space. A one-pedal drive mode is now included with the press of a button and now you won’t have to turn one-pedal on each time you start the car. The new flat-bottom steering wheel still offers a regen-on-demand paddle for drivers wanting more involvement in their electric recovery.
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Phone-Charging – All Wireless
Both Bolts offer a new instrument panel with an 8.0-inch configurable digital gauge cluster, as well as a new 10.2-inch infotainment screen. Wireless phone-charging is standard on the EUV, and wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay are included on both for 2022.
The asymmetrical seats of the 2021 Bolt EV are gone, replaced by more conventionally styled seats that Chevrolet says are more comfortable, based on customer feedback. Heated front seats and steering wheel are standard on both Bolts, while ventilated front seats and heated rears will be offered. The Bolt EUV offers a sunroof, a feature not found on the Bolt EV.
Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist with departure warning, following-distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, and automatic lights, plus rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking assist. The Bolt EUV Premier trim adds surround-view cameras and adaptive cruise. New in-vehicle apps include Alexa, Spotify, and The Weather Channel, with more apps to follow, though the system does not support over-the-air updates beyond those three apps.
Pricing: 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Pricing for the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV has dropped considerably from last year despite the extra safety and interior content. The 2022 Bolt EV starts from $38,198, down $6,800 from last year. In Quebec, however, the price cut is lower, with the Bolt EV starting at $40,348 instead. The 2022 Bolt EUV starts from $40,198, or $42,348 in Quebec. All prices are before incentives. It’s an unusual pricing strategy, though it’s more than offset by Quebec’s EV incentives, which range up to $8,000.
Chevrolet also announced that eligible customers in the U.S. will receive assistance from GM, who will pay for “standard installation” of Level 2 home charging through a collaboration with charging infrastructure firm Qmerit. With that assistance and the Bolt’s new cable, buyers would not need to purchase a wall-unit charger for home use. GM Canada confirmed that the program is not currently planned for Canada, but that "we are always looking for opportunities to enhance the customer experience."
Both the 2022 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV are expected to arrive at Canadian dealerships this summer with full trim and option details and pricing closer to their arrival.
You may also like
