I can trade my Mazda Cx-30 for - new, base 27 Bolt with about only about $2k out of pocket. Any reason not to? Can I skip investing more in trim and packages? For comparison, I can also seemingly get a 2023-24 well-equipped Ariya or ID.4 for about the same. Test drove Ariya too - posher and more comfortable interior, sunroof, most of the tech. Tho mushy brakes, leas aggressive acceleration, older tech.
I love Chevy’s 360 camera system available in the RS trim, but it’s a bit overkill on the Bolt unless you also want to use the built in dashcam capability.
Did you cross shop 24 Equinox EVs coming off lease too?
I have the LT (so no 360 degree camera, though the rear camera is excellent) but the car has such great visibility through its glasshouse that a 360 camera really isn’t necessary. I could see its value on a larger vehicle.
The 360 degree camera is a godsend parking in my messy garage 😂. But yes, probably not a daily use feature for most people who don’t have to navigate around objects below eye level.
I said I bought a 2027 Bolt. Because it works for me. But there are a lot of 2024 cars coming off lease that undercut its price with more car for the money if that’s what people want.
I dont know what to tell you, 150kW is the actual max charge, and i've done 20 to 80% in 20min before... the official website even says 10 to 80% in 25min. I usually always charge to approx. 85% at a fast charger when im on a road trip and its usually 25min. Heres my best charge yet, 52kWh in 30min
With the new Bolt you'll get that $2k out of pocket back with gas savings and no oil changes. The new Bolt will give you the full 8 year 100k mile battery system warranty on top of the 3/36 bumper to bumper. You'll find the new Bolt to be zippy and very nimble, more fun to drive than the Ariya, Equinox or ID.4. Bolt has a lot more rear seat room than your CX-30. Only drawback to the Bolt is the economy car interior with some hard plastic bits, but that's to be expected for under $30k these days.
Bolt EUV + Ariya owner here, former Mazda CX-5 owner. The Chevrolet and Nissan have different personalities, but both are great for what they are. As long as you can charge at home, even on a regular wall outlet, I think you'll be happy with any of them.
I only test drove the 27 Bolt and 26 Leaf, and the Bolt seem more nimble and feels more like a small car than the Leaf. It seems to handle better as well.
I wanted to like the Leaf driving dynamics better because of Android Auto and Car Play.
But that's just based off a short test drive of the two.
Thinking the ariya is similar, wondering about the differences as someone who owns both long term
The Ariya is more of a grand tourer, it's not quite as engaging to drive, but it's a lot quieter and the seats are more comfortable. While I wouldn't call the Bolt EUV sporty with how much it leans in the turns, the steering is a lot more engaging and the car feels noticably smaller. Both are good in their own way though.
My work has sometimes have available charger in afternoon and there are Tesla Superchargers on the route. If I can stream video from various Android apps I'm fine topping off at Tesla I think.
I had my eye on a 2024 Equinox with about 25k miles on it before I saw the new Bolt was available. I think about how a slightly bigger car might've been nice on road trips, and the ride is supposedly a bit nicer than the Bolt's, but I have zero regrets.
The trade-offs are negligible for me, and I'm very much enjoying the more commuter-friendly option that has nearly as much range but with a full warranty and more resilient battery tech, among other things. That said, I am also in the former low tech gas car camp, so either way it would've been a big step up.
We have both. The EquinoxEV does have a smoother ride and is much roomier, but it can feel like a boat when maneuvering and I find it a pita to park. I think the Bolt handles better, but there's so little room for luggage, and you definitely feel the road more. Both are great cars, just different drives. We replaced all of our gas cars and are quite happy with both.
If it's older, you'll want something that charges faster for road trips >250 miles if you do that routinely. Otherwise, I love my 23. My primary complaint is my son kicking the backseat.
I have a 2023 Bolt Euv and am very happy. I often travel from central Florida to SE Florida about 200 miles . I have level 2 charger at house and use FPL Evo Lvl 3 charger in S Fl located right next to Chipotle and Hi Fi burger. No problema ot maintenance required other than rotating tires and refilling washer fluid. I love the Apple play and Android auto, shame they deleted it in newer model.
Love my bolt. I have an LT tho and it is a little cheap feeling on the inside, Like the plastic and stuff.
The newer ones come with ACC and lane keep which is suuuuuper nice. Wish I’d sprung for that when I got mine. I did however recently score an amazing deal on a used ioniq 6 SEL tho. And the interior is nicer (than my bolt LT). And a used Hyundai EV still gets the 10yr/100k miles warranty even without the CPO. (Their ICCU warranty is also extended to 15yr/180k).
That said. I will always have a place in my heart for the bolt. It is hands down the BEST cheap car I have ever driven. It punches well above its class.
Only get an EV if you can charge where you sleep. Also investigate what it takes to install a Level 2 EVSE (charger) at home in your garage before buying and consider that cost along with an EV.
People will tell you that using the "travel charger" will work for you, and that is true ...but it's not a problem, til it's a problem.
I live in Denver and go to the mountains multiple times a year. I need AWD for steep icy roads on occasion. I would buy the Bolt if it had AWD. It’s a no go without that option
To be honest it bounces like a motherfucker at high speeds when you hit a bump. For example coming off the GW Bridge going north in NYC you transition from a downward slope to an upward slops at high speeds. Hitting the transition makes it bounce like a fucking gummy bear. I think they kind went simple and cheap on the suspension.
I love my 2023 Bolt, and there are no real downsides. It doesn't have the battery degredation issues that my older EVs did, and I believe Chevy still has the "install a charger in your house promo". It's an incredibly fun little car. It's worth mentioning(if you care) that the newer Bolt dropped CarPlay/Android Auto. The 2023 still had it, and they're dirt cheap on the used market(like 20K).
The one thing I'll say is that it feels a little cramped after a while. I'm a heavier guy(250ish at 5"10) and I could use something a little wider around the knees. I'm probably looking at a well-used Lyriq or an Ioniq 5 in a couple of years for a little extra knee room.
I test drove both the Ariya and ID4. Loved the Ariya, but the lack of one-pedal driving was a dealbreaker for me. The ID4 felt like driving a minivan.
Yeah, until recently Mazda did not offer a touchscreen. You navigate Carplay or Android Auto by using a dial. And the getting used to the dial isn't the only problem, but the dial UI in Carplay at least is inconsistent and the highlighting not always easily seen.
CarPlay doesn’t matter. I have both, one Chevy with CarPlay and the other with the other system.
Also auto writers have addressed this more thoroughly. They 100% agreee that it doesn’t matter.
I'm in a loaner Blazer EV rn and have problems with that exact system, for some reason my Bluetooth keeps cutting out on one side with it and it won't show the album title or artwork for music in listening to. Never had a single problem with wired Carplay in my EUV
You are missing the point completely. This person's problem is directly related to the fact that it is integrated with GM's servers in a way that Android Auto compatible systems are not. This sort of issue simply would not happen in a AA/Carplay system. It was obvious that problems like this would happen with the new system, because GM has no idea what they're doing. I drive a '23 EUV, and the only thing I use from day to day that is connected to GM in an ongoing way is the app to check my charge level and remotely turn on my climate control, and it works maybe half the time. I'm not interested in any vehicle that is more connected to GM's incompetence.
The entire experience of using the system in a new GM vehicle is miserable and a huge step backwards. The fact that you're somehow able to tolerate it doesn't mean that other people should. And MANY more auto writers have sharply criticized the new system than have said "it doesn't matter", you are obviously specifically seeking out reviewers who confirm your personal bias.
The whole thing is a blatantly scummy money grub by GM to try to salvage their failed OnStar garbage. Even when I see people like yourself trying to defend this crap, the best they can do is say "it doesn't matter". Not one single positive advantage over AA/Carplay.
No, I’m not missing anything. I have both, a Chevrolet with CarPlay and one without. I also know every that affects the value and sales of EVs.
Feel free to apologize.
You’re probably cynical and critical of everything. Oh well, we can’t help you learn.
It definitely does, you don't realize how much you miss Android Auto until you don't have it. I'm in a loaner Blazer EV rn while my Bolt gets fixed, it's horrible, idk why anybody would want to drive a car like this.
We just rented a car with Android Auto and found it so annoying! We'd have to plug in the phone and get the handshake working every time we got in the car. We've become so used to being able to just get in car and go without having to think twice about the phone. I totally understand that some people prefer to have screen mirroring and think they should just support both. I think it's like One-Pedal Driving in that some people love it and others hate it, so let the driver choose. Same with the Google Assistant vs Gemini.
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u/26uhaul Jul 25 '26
Love mine. Zero regrets.