Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #103: Chevrolet Bolt | Consumer Reports

Turns out the first relatively affordable long-range electric car isn't from Tesla; the Chevy Bolt beats the Tesla Model 3 to market. We found the Bolt to be enjoyable and practical, but wonder if buyers will be turned off by its dowdy styling.

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[LauraReadnWrites]

It was great to have Michelle Naranjo, a Chevy Spark owner, on this video. Whenever you discuss electric cars, please bring her on the panel. I really appreciate her perspective.

[JeffKubel]

It's a hatchback. It doesn't look bad for a hatchback. I want a practical car that is well engineered, not a nice looking car with lousy engineering.

[robertmontgomery]

If it had a BMW grill on it, you would love the style.

[pedrofernandez]

I much rather buy a car engineered vs one done by designers.

[douglasizzo]

GM tried and SUCCEEDED! Looks are subjective, gentlemen. The Bolt deserves more credit, glad to see you recognized the "smartly designed" aspect.

[MeHow]

Tom and Jake: It's accelerated 0-60mph in 6.5 sec. This isn't a fast car.
What are they driving on a daily basis: Hellcats? Since when is 6.5 sec not considered fast?

[BruceMan]

why do you keep saying 200 miles when it gets 238 epa, yet when you talk of the leaf, you say 107. the extra 38 miles is significant

[tylerhorsman]

The reviewers are NOT the target demographic for this car. Basically every single person my age (I'm 33) loves this car and would buy one in a heartbeat.

[daniels]

I don't know what theyre talking about when it comes to looks. I actually think its decently attractive. Its no model s but that car is in a different realm, and double the price. The bolt is WAY better looking than the following, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Mitsubishi imiev. Im buying one the day they arrive at my dealership.

[mountainhobo]

Guys, seriously, enough talking about what it looks like. This is a car show, not "The View". Tell me how long it takes to recharge. Tell me if the range changes in cold weather. Tell me if it's available in AWD. Don't tell me if the fenders are pretty.

[michaelsimpkins]

It doesn't look that bad as you are making out

[theRck]

Hey Im in the market and looking to buy one of this Bolt EV when it gets out, tired of lining up on the gas station and paying for gas. I think this Bolt will sell. 👍🏼👍🏼

[clawtub]

As a consumer who has placed a deposit for the Bolt, I would like to say that it's about time an electric car looks like a normal car. Looks are subjective, but for example, I find the new Prius to be hideous and the Mirai even uglier. To me, the Bolt looks perfect. Some of us don't want to make a statement while driving to and from work.

[elopez]

Can't afford a Tesla, can't afford a a matter of fact I don't have enough change in my pocket to get on a city bus but what a great time to be alive! 20 (even 15) years ago the mere mention of electric cars was laughable. Can't be done, will never happen, Hell will freeze yada yada. These were the terms following electric vehicle conversations. Now, not only, are electric vehicles a reality but conversations about these cars are "now" about different styles, functions, who's better... yada yada yada. So although I can't (and probably will never) afford an electric vehicle like Tesla I'm so grateful to be alive witnessing this awesome change. I can only hope to live another 30 years simply to see what comes next.

[cadsux]

2 months ago, at a California press event, the Chevy Bolts tested had over 250 miles of range. These were driven from Monterrey to Santa Barbara, on Pacific coastal Highway 1, which isn't exactly ideal, with the traffic,  hills/mountain ranges,  & windy conditions. Distance: 240 miles, with 17 miles left, driven normally and not hypermiling.

[bcrogsnc]

The Honda Fit is all function! The engineers won that one too. In fact, the engineers win over the designers at Toyota and Honda. And they sell.

[liquidcooled]

Tom mentions that the Volt only really gets 25 miles on a charge. I'd like to say that I have a 2012 volt that I have owned for 18 months and I regularly get 32-38 miles on a charge. Even on doing 75mph I am still was able to hit those numbers. This is a car with 60k miles on it about 40k of those miles have been on electricity. Love the show and love Toms segments keep up the good work guys!

[stevegrooms]

I respect and enjoy Consumer Reports. I'm glad they have branched out to the YouTube world with car reviews. But if I were producing a review of this car, the very last thing I'd do is put three people sitting in chairs in front of the car. There are many ways to film a car review that get the message across but are visually intriguing. The review should be more about the car, less about people's sense of the car.

[dansanger]

I initially hated the look of the Bolt, but it's kind of growing on me. Practicality matters, and ends up affecting my perception of the looks. If it weren't for the Tesla charging network, I might actually prefer the Bolt to the Model 3.

[gabepettinicchio]

I think it looks good, for a very small car.