Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.After taking a three-year break, the little electric hatchback is back. Chevrolet brought back the Bolt by popular demand, and by and large, that's proven to be a smart call. The new tech, features, faster charging, and updated interior all make the EV significantly more attractive. However, during my week with the car, a few things rubbed me the wrong way.No Carplay Is A Screw-UpChase BierenkovenThe Bolt's Google-based UI works pretty alright. During my week with the car, I never had a problem getting from A to B with it. The Bluetooth worked flawlessly, and Google Maps did too. But I missed phone projection. There's a level of intergration there that automakers still struggle to replicate, and the Bolt, try though it might, didn't quite nail the system well enough to make me forget about Carplay and Android Auto. Chevy's stubborn insistence on this matter expands beyond just the Bolt, but it has to be noted here too.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis time, it reads as cost-cutting. Automakers don't want to pay for this feature, and Chevrolet is blatantly cutting costs in skipping this. Lots of the car's other controls are also in the screen, including a simple headlight switch; functionality I expect to be able to quickly manipulate.Uncomfortable Front Seats Let Down A Great EV2027 Chevrolet Bolt interiorChase BierenkovenThe Bolt is, at its core, an economy car. Compromises have to be made to hit a price point. But one of those places shouldn't be in the front seats. These here are too flat and lack a lot of the support I want to see that'll keep a car comfy over long trips. The back seats also pose the same problem, and are over-flat and lack any real support.All-Wheel Drive Should Be A No-BrainerChase BierenkovenThe Bolt is fun. It's a zippy little car, and with 210 horsepower and 169 lb-ft of torque, it feels like a gas-powered hot hatch. The instant torque from the electric motors is great, too. However, the Bolt is only available with front-wheel drive, which I consider to be something of an oversight. While it's clear a larger battery would be needed to deliver on range figures, the car could certainly benefit from the added zip and four-season capability. As it sits now, the Bolt feels quick, taking 7.1 seconds to hit 60, but it's not quite as rapid as all-wheel drive options in the segment.RS Doesn't Mean Much HereChevrolet Bolt RSChase BierenkovenThis RS model, which is supposed to be a sportier option, is really only that in name. In fact, the only differntiating items are some sportier styling elements like the black wheels and grille. The rest adds optional features from lower down in the lineup as standard, like the Comfort package. Not so sporty.Range Doesn't Quite Stack Up2027 Chevrolet BoltChase BierenkovenAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Bolt's updated powertrain is just that, but it doesn't quite keep pace with range figures from competitors. The EPA says the BOlt can hit 262 miles on a charge, but real-world range is often less. For reference, the only slightly more expensive Nissan Leaf will do around 310 miles on a charge.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
