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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 128 / 110 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 119 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $650 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $36,620–$40,995 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.4/10, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV earns a Good rating among the evs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.7/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional ev — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.3/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.1/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.7/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $36,620–$40,995, 120 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Bolt EV sits in the mid-market bracket of the ev segment. The 8.7/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this ev delivers more than most of the class. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV ranks #176 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 35% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $36,620 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 31%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $50k →
Across the Bolt EV model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $27,245 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $26,595 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $26,595 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $39,245 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $39,095 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $37,995 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $37,495 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $36,620 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 23/07/2021 · 21V560000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity. |
|---|---|
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 13/11/2020 · 20V701000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2017-2018 and certain 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity. |
| Structure / Body / Roof and pillars 15/12/2022 · 22V930000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire. |
| Structure / Body / Roof and pillars 14/12/2023 · 23V845000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV's reliability 7.3/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #176 of 268 evs in our database (better than 35% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV starts at $36,620 and ranges up to $40,995 across trims (MSRP when new). At 120 MPG, expect roughly $438/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other evs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
