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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 127 / 108 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 118 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $650 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $39,245–$44,045 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this ev. 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 solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.7/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.8/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $39,245–$44,045, 120 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Bolt EV sits in the mid-market bracket of the ev segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.8/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a solid, well-rounded ev that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV ranks #143 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 47% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $39,245 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 26%.
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 2021 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 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $39,245 | |
| 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 | 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.
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 20/08/2021 · 21V650000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV 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… |
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 27/06/2024 · 24V481000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to… |
| Electrical system / Propulsion system / Traction battery 31/10/2024 · 24V812000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles previously repaired under Recall 21V-650. The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. As such, the high voltage battery could catch… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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