2027 Chevrolet Bolt returns with LFP power, faster charging, and a sub-$30k hook
The Bolt is back for 2027, and Chevrolet is clearly chasing the same formula that made the original a fixture in American driveways: small footprint, big practicality, and a price that doesn’t require a spreadsheet. The relaunch starts with a 2027 Bolt LT at $29,990 including destination, with an even cheaper LT variant coming later in the model year at $28,995. It’s a limited-run effort, due at dealers in the first quarter of 2026, but the spec sheet shows meaningful hardware changes rather than nostalgia.
Price, trims, and timing
The launch lineup centers on the LT, with a sport-themed RS trim joining the range for the first time. Chevrolet says the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt aims to deliver the longest driving range of any EV priced below $30,000, and shipments are slated to begin early next year. Assembly will take place at GM’s Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas, with a mix of domestic and global parts.
Design that stays familiar, sharpened where it counts
This second-generation Bolt doesn’t abandon its tall-hatch proportions, and that’s a good call—space efficiency was always a selling point. The nose is sleeker, lighting is slimmer and more horizontal, and the surfacing along the flanks is cleaner. The RS trim leans into darker accents with high-gloss black wheels and roof rails, plus an exclusive Atomic Yellow exterior paired with red interior stitching. Seven paint choices and 17-inch wheels (in three finishes) keep the customization simple. Inside, the cabin trades the old shift-by-wire keypad for a column shifter, opening up the center area, and mixes actual knobs for the essentials with a more expansive screen setup. It looks and feels more grown-up without getting fussy.
Powertrain and efficiency
Under the skin, the 2027 Chevy Bolt uses GM’s latest X76 electric drive unit, a single-motor setup rated at 210 hp and 169 lb-ft. The hardware focuses on efficiency: segmented permanent magnets to curb heat buildup, reduced rare-earth content for cost control, and a silicon-carbide inverter to trim losses between battery and motor. GM’s estimate for range is 255 miles from a 65‑kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack. LFP chemistry typically favors longevity and tolerance for frequent 100% charges, which fits the value mission here.
Performance figures like 0–60 mph and top speed haven’t been published. Given the modest torque and 3,776‑lb curb weight, expect the Bolt to prioritize smooth, predictable responses over headline acceleration. The braking system blends regeneration and friction seamlessly, and One‑Pedal driving remains onboard for those who prefer to do most slowing with the right pedal.
Charging and the move to NACS
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt becomes the brand’s first model with a native NACS charging port, opening access to an ever‑larger DC fast‑charging footprint. Peak DC rate is 150 kW—more than double the previous Bolt EV—good for a claimed 10% to 80% in 26 minutes. At home, the car supports 11.5 kW Level 2 charging (about 40 miles of range per hour) and includes a dual‑level cord capable of 7.7 kW (around 26 miles per hour). A basic 120‑volt outlet nets roughly 4 miles of range per hour. Battery preconditioning automatically warms the pack when you’re headed to a DC fast charger, helping the car hit its best charging speeds.
Chevrolet also builds in Vehicle‑to‑Home capability. With the appropriate GM Energy hardware, the Bolt can power a properly equipped home during an outage—a useful perk that’s finally trickling down to affordable EVs.
Cabin tech and infotainment
Two big screens anchor the new dash: an 11.3‑inch infotainment display and an 11‑inch reconfigurable driver cluster. Google built‑in runs the show, with Google Maps tightly integrated with vehicle systems—think route planning that accounts for remaining range, live charger status, and your driving style. “Hey Google” voice control can adjust climate settings, activate heated seats, manage calls and texts, and even trigger compatible smart‑home functions like the garage door.
When parked or charging, the 2027 Bolt doubles as a streaming pod with apps such as HBO Max, Prime Video, Tubi, Chrome, GameSnacks, and even Angry Birds, delivered via OnStar connectivity. Multiple USB‑C ports and an available wireless phone charger cover device duty. A panoramic sunroof joins the options list, and the mix of physical climate controls with touch interfaces prevents basic tasks from getting buried in menus. Available comforts include a heated steering wheel plus heated and ventilated front seats.
Super Cruise and driver assistance
Hands‑free driving arrives via available Super Cruise (late availability), with Google Maps showing eligible roads and lane guidance at interchanges. More than 20 driver‑assist and safety features are standard on the 2027 Chevy Bolt, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Side Bicyclist Alert, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams. The Safety Alert Seat and Rear Seat Reminder are standard as well. An optional Tech Package adds an HD Rear Camera Mirror, HD Surround Vision, and Traffic Sign Recognition. Airbags cover frontal, side‑impact, and head‑curtain areas for outboard passengers.
Chassis, packaging, and numbers that matter
The 2027 Bolt sticks with a simple, space‑efficient suspension layout: MacPherson struts up front and a torsion‑beam rear, paired with Michelin 215/50R17 all‑season tires. Steering is electric, and the turning circle is a tidy 37.7 feet—handy in tight city parking. Brakes are four‑wheel discs with partial regen; rotors measure 11 inches in front and 10 inches in back.
Dimensions keep the Bolt squarely in the small crossover/hatchback camp: 169.6 inches long on a 105.3‑inch wheelbase, 69.7 inches wide (without mirrors), and 63.9 inches tall. Ground clearance is 5.6 inches. Inside, there’s 96.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, with 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row or 56.3 cubes with the rear seats folded. The battery carries an 8‑year/100,000‑mile warranty, and HVAC duty is handled by a heat‑pump system to maximize cold‑weather efficiency.
How it fits alongside Equinox EV
Chevrolet expects the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt to tag‑team with the Equinox EV—currently marketed as America’s most affordable EV with an EPA‑rated 315 miles of range—to account for a significant slice of the brand’s 2026 EV volume. If you want more space and range, the Equinox EV is the obvious step up; if you want the lowest buy‑in with solid commuting range, the Bolt aims to be the entry point.
Style meets substance, without the sticker shock
The new Bolt doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It’s still a roomy, upright hatch with the footprint of a compact, now wearing crisper sheetmetal and a cleaner cabin. The fundamentals are stronger: an LFP battery, a modern drive unit, native NACS, faster DC charging, and a far richer driver‑assist and infotainment stack than the last car. The power and torque numbers won’t stir performance junkies, and 255 miles of GM‑estimated range isn’t going to break records, but the value proposition is laser‑targeted. For shoppers who simply want an affordable American EV that’s easy to live with—and can even keep the lights on at home in a pinch—the 2027 Chevy Bolt lands right where it should.
-Ed
2027 Chevrolet Bolt
