carivo.co
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 | $37,995–$42,980 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a ev that earns a Carivo score of 7.4/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.8/10, 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.5/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
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. At 7.9/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $37,995–$42,980, 120 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Bolt EV sits in the mid-market bracket of the ev segment. Its value score of 8.8/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
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 2019 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 $37,995 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 28%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking →
Across the Bolt EV model years we've scored, the 2019 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 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $37,995 | |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $37,495 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $36,620 | Read review → |
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.
| Latches/locks/linkages / Doors / Latch 26/03/2020 · 20V184000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The door-handle cable inside the rear doors may be too long, allowing contact with the window when it is opened, possibly damaging the cable. A damaged cable may cause the… |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc / Caliper 30/08/2018 · 18V576000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The… |
| 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. |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
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.
