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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 131 / 109 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 120 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $650 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $26,595–$42,545 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.6/10, the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV earns a Recommended rating among the evs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.8/10, while Performance at 6.3/10 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. Reliability comes in at 8.0/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.4/10: 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 6.3/10 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 7.9/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $26,595–$42,545, 120 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Bolt EV sits in the mid-market bracket of the ev segment. The 8.8/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this ev delivers more than most of the class. At 3 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.
Bottom line: Think of the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in performance are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
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 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV ranks #121 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $26,595 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 50%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $35k →
Across the Bolt EV model years we've scored, the 2023 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 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $26,595 | |
| 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 | 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.
| 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. |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal 10/08/2023 · 23V567000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The instrument panel may be missing the perforation on the underside of the panel cover that allows the passenger-side air bag to deploy properly. |
| 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 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV's reliability 8.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 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 7.6/10 overall, ranking #121 of 268 evs in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV starts at $26,595 and ranges up to $42,545 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.
