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2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review: Range, Price, and Problems

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review: Range, Price, and Problems

The 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV marks a pivotal moment for General Motors as it reenters the affordable electric vehicle (EV) market with renewed focus and improved technology. Following a temporary suspension due to battery-related recalls, Chevrolet has returned with a redesigned and more reliable Bolt EV for 2025. With a competitive price point, impressive range, and a suite of modern features, the Bolt EV aims to reclaim its status as one of the most accessible all-electric vehicles on the market. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore the 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV’s range, price, performance, technology, safety, and potential problems to help you decide if this EV is the right fit for your lifestyle.

2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV: An Overview

The 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a compact hatchback designed for urban commuters and eco-conscious drivers. It’s built exclusively for electric propulsion and offers a spacious interior, impressive efficiency, and a modern design. After a hiatus caused by battery fire concerns, Chevrolet has relaunched the Bolt with enhanced battery chemistry and improved safety protocols. This new iteration is engineered to deliver the affordability and practicality that made the earlier Bolt EV models popular, while addressing previous shortcomings.

Positioned as a budget-friendly EV alternative to pricier models like the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the 2025 Bolt EV targets first-time EV buyers, city drivers, and those seeking a cost-effective way to go electric without sacrificing range or style.

2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Range: What to Expect

One of the standout features of the 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV is its impressive driving range. With an EPA-estimated range of up to 259 miles on a full charge, the Bolt EV remains one of the most efficient vehicles in its class for the price. This range represents a slight improvement over previous models and is sufficient for most daily commutes, weekend trips, and even some regional travel without the need for frequent charging.

The range is achieved through a combination of efficient aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and an optimized 65 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Chevrolet has upgraded the battery chemistry to reduce degradation over time and improve thermal stability—key factors in addressing past safety concerns.

Charging capabilities have also been enhanced. The 2025 Bolt EV supports Level 2 charging (240V) at a rate of approximately 30 miles of range per hour, making home charging convenient. However, it does not support DC fast charging, which means drivers looking for rapid top-ups on long trips will need to plan accordingly. A full charge from a standard 120V outlet (Level 1) takes about 40 hours, while a Level 2 home charger can fully recharge the battery in around 7–8 hours.

Real-world range can vary depending on driving conditions, climate, and driving style. Cold weather, for example, may reduce efficiency and range by 10–20%, but Chevrolet has improved the thermal management system to mitigate some of these losses. Regenerative braking also helps extend range by recovering energy during deceleration.

2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Price: Is It Worth the Investment?

Pricing is where the 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV truly shines. Starting at an MSRP of $26,500 for the base model (before any available federal or state incentives), the Bolt EV is one of the most affordable new electric vehicles on the market today. Higher trims, such as the Bolt EV LT, are priced around $28,500, offering additional features like upgraded infotainment, heated front seats, and a larger touchscreen.

For buyers eligible for the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500, the effective cost of ownership drops significantly—potentially below $20,000 in some cases. This makes the Bolt EV a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers who want to experience electric driving without breaking the bank.

It’s important to note that eligibility for the tax credit depends on factors such as battery sourcing, vehicle assembly location, and buyer income. As of 2025, the Bolt EV qualifies under the Inflation Reduction Act guidelines, assuming final assembly remains in the U.S. and critical minerals are sourced responsibly.

When compared to competitors:

While some rivals offer slightly more range or faster charging, the Bolt EV remains the most budget-friendly option in the segment. Its value proposition is especially strong for urban dwellers, students, and small families needing a reliable daily driver.

2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Trim Levels and Features

The 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV comes in two primary trims: 1LT and 2LT. Both offer impressive standard equipment, but the higher trim adds comfort and convenience features for those willing to spend a little more.

1LT Trim (Starting at $26,500)

2LT Trim (Starting at $28,500)

Both trims come standard with Chevy’s Infotainment 3 system, which includes a responsive 15-inch touchscreen, built-in Google navigation, and access to the myChevrolet mobile app for remote charging, climate control, and vehicle status monitoring.

Performance and Driving Experience

The 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV is powered by a single electric motor producing 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. This setup provides brisk acceleration from a stop, with 0–60 mph times in the mid-6-second range—more than adequate for city driving and highway merging.

Thanks to its low center of gravity and well-tuned suspension, the Bolt EV handles corners confidently and offers a smooth, quiet ride. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in tight parking spaces and crowded city streets. Regenerative braking is adjustable, with a one-pedal driving mode available that allows drivers to decelerate significantly without using the brake pedal—improving both efficiency and comfort in stop-and-go traffic.

Ride quality is firm but not harsh, absorbing bumps and road imperfections well. Noise insulation has improved for 2025, reducing wind and road noise at highway speeds. While not designed as a performance EV, the Bolt EV delivers a well-rounded driving experience that balances fun, comfort, and efficiency.

Interior Space and Cargo Capacity

Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the 2025 Bolt EV offers a surprisingly spacious interior. With seating for five, there’s ample legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats. Tall passengers will appreciate the upright seating position and high roofline, which enhances the sense of openness.

The cabin features high-quality soft-touch materials, a modern dashboard design, and intuitive controls. The 15-inch vertical touchscreen dominates the center stack, minimizing physical buttons and contributing to a clean, tech-forward aesthetic.

Cargo space is another strong point. Behind the rear seats, the Bolt EV offers 16.9 cubic feet of trunk space—enough for groceries, luggage, or a set of golf clubs. Folding the 60/40 split rear seats expands this to 56.9 cubic feet, rivaling many small SUVs. The flat load floor and low liftover height make loading bulky items easy.

Additional interior storage includes a center console with dual cupholders, door pockets, and a small cubby beneath the touchscreen for phones or wallets. While the absence of a front trunk (frunk) is typical for front-wheel-drive EVs, the practical rear cargo area more than compensates.

Technology and Infotainment

The 2025 Bolt EV is packed with modern technology. The centerpiece is the 15-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet’s latest Infotainment 3 system. It supports:

The interface is intuitive, with crisp graphics and quick response times. Google Assistant integration allows drivers to control navigation, media, and climate settings using voice commands, reducing distractions while driving.

For connectivity, the Bolt EV includes standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability, enabling passengers to stay connected on the go. The myChevrolet app allows owners to monitor battery status, schedule charging, pre-condition the cabin, and locate nearby charging stations.

While the system is robust, some users may miss physical climate controls, which are now fully integrated into the touchscreen. However, frequent users quickly adapt, and the system includes quick-access menus for common functions.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Safety has been a major focus for the 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV, especially in light of past battery concerns. The vehicle now includes enhanced battery monitoring systems, improved cooling, and redesigned battery modules to reduce fire risk.

In terms of driver assistance, the Bolt EV comes standard with a suite of features under Chevrolet’s Driver Confidence package, including:

The 2LT trim adds:

The 2025 Bolt EV has not yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but its structural design and safety systems are expected to perform well based on previous models and updated engineering.

Every Bolt EV also includes an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery and electric drive components, providing peace of mind for long-term ownership.

2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Problems and Recalls

One of the most significant concerns surrounding the Chevrolet Bolt EV has been its history of battery-related fire risks. In 2021 and 2022, General Motors issued multiple recalls affecting over 140,000 Bolt EV and EUV models due to a manufacturing defect in the LG Chem battery cells. The defect could lead to thermal runaway and potential fires, even when the vehicle was parked or not charging.

As a result, Chevrolet temporarily halted Bolt EV production and sales. For 2025, the automaker has implemented a redesigned battery pack with new manufacturing processes, additional quality controls, and enhanced monitoring software. The new battery modules are produced under stricter supervision, and each vehicle undergoes rigorous testing before delivery.

While the 2025 model is not subject to the previous recalls, prospective buyers should verify that any used Bolt EVs (from 2017–2022) have received the full battery replacement or software update remedy. GM offered complete battery module replacements for affected vehicles, which significantly reduces the risk in pre-2025 models.

Other reported issues in earlier Bolt EV models