[Taboleo] "Lower Price, Higher Performance"... The More Attractive Return of the 'Bolt EV'

414km on a Single Charge
One-Pedal Driving Perfect for City Commutes
Rounded Body with a Futuristic Face
Available for Around 30 Million KRW with Subsidies

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Chevrolet's compact electric vehicle Bolt EV is back. It was scheduled to be released last August, but delivery was delayed due to a recall caused by battery manufacturing defects. After going through various ups and downs, the 2022 Bolt EV that has returned can be said to have undergone a complete transformation. The price is lower than the previous model year, the design has been changed to a futuristic style, and the performance has improved. Additionally, it appeals to consumers in many ways, such as offering a driving range of 414 km on a single charge.

The first impression upon seeing the Bolt EV was that it is "cute yet futuristic." Overall, the vehicle has a rounded shape that gives a cute feeling. However, looking at the front, the headlights are designed thinly, giving a sharp and futuristic impression.

Although the exterior looked small, the interior did not feel as cramped as expected. Sitting in the driver's seat, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.2-inch touchscreen were applied, which felt clean and intuitive. However, it was slightly disappointing that the car's hazard light button is located to the right of the infotainment system from the driver's perspective, making it inconvenient to press.

The second row was not that narrow either. Depending on how the front seats are adjusted, when I adjusted the driver's seat to fit my body type and sat in the back seat, there was more than a fist-sized space between my knees and the front seat. Also, at my height of 174 cm, my head slightly touched the roof lining.

I started driving in earnest. The route was about 85 km, starting from The-K Hotel in Yangjae, Seoul, passing Everland in Yongin, and stopping by Lotte Premium Outlets Time Villas.

The Bolt EV features a button-type gear shift, where the drive (D) and reverse (R) buttons are pulled, and the park (P) and neutral (N) buttons are pressed, giving a sense that more attention was paid to safety.

During driving, the characteristic quietness of electric vehicles was pleasant. The accelerator pedal responded well, and there was no loud noise typical of internal combustion engines when pressing hard. While wind noise was audible at high speeds, it was not bothersome. The Bolt EV is equipped with a 150 kW high-performance single motor electric drive unit, delivering a maximum output of 204 horsepower and a maximum torque of 36.7 kg.m. Perhaps because of this, the acceleration felt strong. The driving range is also long, with a maximum of 414 km on a single charge.

The regenerative braking energy system called the "Regen On Demand System" is applied. Through the regen paddle located behind the steering wheel, the driver can actively control the braking force. However, I found the "One-Pedal Driving System" to be more convenient. I especially thought it was a perfect feature for city driving. When this function is activated, deceleration control and complete stops can be managed using only the accelerator pedal.

In urban areas, vehicles often stop due to traffic lights or congestion, and this function made driving more comfortable. Of course, it also improves battery efficiency. However, it can be dangerous if used at high speeds because releasing the accelerator pedal causes a sudden decrease in speed. Therefore, I recommend using it only in city driving.

The biggest advantage of the Bolt EV is its price. It comes in a single Premier trim, priced at 41.3 million KRW. With a full subsidy, it can be purchased in most regions for the mid-30 million KRW range. Despite the affordable price, it does not lack options. It includes 14 active safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), lane departure warning and assist systems, low-speed automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian detection and braking system, and even comes equipped with dedicated Michelin self-sealing tires.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.