The Bolt is Nutty GoodA three-year absence from the market might make some buyers forget a model even existed, unless it was just that good. Well, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt has some important duties to fulfill before its 18-month limited production period ends. It has to remind buyers that it was a revolutionary EV given its price, range, and competence while informing them that the Bolt has been improved to make it even more compelling.Amos KwonMy test vehicle was a 2027 Chevy Bolt RS. The base price was $31,600 and included standard feature highlights such as 17″ gloss black aluminum wheels, LED headlights and taillights, gloss black roof rails, an 11.3″ infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in, an 11″ instrument display, remote start, single zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and ambient lighting.Options included the Super Cruise package, a dual panel panoramic sunroof, and the Technology Package with HD Surround Vision, wireless phone charger, rear pedestrian alert, traffic sign recognition, and rain sensing wipers. The total, including the $1,395 destination charge, came to $38,940.Exterior and Interior StylingAmos KwonThe Bolt's sheetmetal isn't much different from the Bolt EUV from which it's sourced. I always thought the original Bolt looked far better than the much pricier but dimensionally similar BMW i3. In RS trim, the revised Bolt looks adds a sportier edge through darker exterior detailing, darker wheels, and a different black mesh pattern on the lower front fascia. The closed-off EV fascia manages to look more conventional thanks to the dark trim pieces.Amos KwonIts proportions are compact, but the Bolt gets some stylized DRLs, headlights, and taillights. Other details include fender creases, contours in the lower half of the doors, and a racy twin-bubble roof spoiler. Darkened RS trim prevents it from looking like a rental the way the base LT does. From the profile view, the RS's black wheels mate nicely with the body trim and floating roof. The short overhangs and tidy footprint make it look ready to scramble into tight urban parking spaces and thread traffic needles.Amos KwonInside, the RS treatment sport-ifies things nicely. The cabin uses darker trim, contrast stitching, and visual elements to make the dashboard feel more tailored than a typical econobox. Textured plastics in key storage areas, as well as ambient lighting, add personaltiy. The synthetic leather is patterened and perforated, topped off with contrast stitching and RS embossing on the headrests. These details keep the Bolt RS's interior from descending into Dollar General territory.Amos KwonMaterial quality is mixed, as expected in an affordable EV, but Chevrolet has placed the better-looking surfaces where occupants will notice them most. The dashboard, steering wheel, storage binnacles, and armrest touchpoints feel soft on contact. The door panels, the top of the dashboard, and the sides of the center console are slathered in hard black plastics, but that's expected when most of the money is in the battery technology.Technology and InfotainmentAmos KwonTechnology is one of the areas where the Bolt glows up compared to most vehicles at this price. The 11.3″ central infotainment display is crisp, quick to respond, and placed high enough in the dashboard to be easy to glance at while driving. The digital driver display is equally useful, presenting speed, battery information, range estimates, navigation prompts, and energy-use data in a clean, easy to read layout. Sadly, there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the model will stick with Google built-in for its short life.Amos KwonThe system also brings the expected modern conveniences, including smartphone connectivity, voice controls, multiple USB charging points, and the optional wireless device charging deck, conveniently located just below the center stack. This pairing reminds me of a similar setup in the gas-only Chevy Trax, a vehicle that offers more than you'd think it would. The screens in the Bolt are easily some of the better ones I've come across.Chevrolet's driver-assistance suite is solid. Features such as adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, automatic high beams, side bicyclist alert, intersection collision mitigation, rear automatic braking, and rear cross traffic alert with braking come as standard equipment on the RS. My tester also had the optional SuperCruise autonomous driving tech on mapped highways, and it works just like on Chevy's much pricier models.Comfort, Space, and UsabilityAmos KwonThe Bolt RS may be compact on the outside, but it uses its footprint well. The battery packaging allows for a relatively open interior layout, and the upright roofline gives it solid headroom for both front and rear passengers. The driving position feels more crossover-like, and visibility is excellent. The Bolt's tall glass area and compact dimensions make it easy to place in traffic, an advantage for the model. I'm 6'0″ and have room to spare. The seats are on the firm side but still provide good comfort. Bolstering is also well done.Amos KwonRear occupants get 36.5 inches of legroom, which is very generous for this subcompact. Of course, the flat floor EVs are known for makes it a true five-passenger vehicle. The Bolt has more legroom than the Nissan Leaf and is on par with the Hyundai Kona. The Bolt provides 16.9 cubic feet behind row two and 56.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Storage space in the cabin is smart. It carves out shelves in the dash, and the phone charging tray has a rubber pad to keep smaller items in place.Amos KwonThere's are also two large bins, one in the center console and on on the floor between the front seats. They have adjustable curved partitions, so it can accommodate large travel tumblers and coffee mugs. Physical controls are pretty good. I quite like the easy climate control knobs and buttons, although the audio knob in the upper right corner of the touchscreen frame isn't ideally located. There's no dual climate control in the Bolt, but the system works well. The RS also comes with heated and ventilated front seats, a big plus.Finally, the addition of the optional sunroof is a pleasant surprise. I can't think of another subcompact car (EV or gas) with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. It makes the Bolt RS feel airier and more premium. It's worth the $1,495.Driving Experience and EfficiencyAmos KwonOn the road, the Bolt RS feels lively and capable. It's not rocket quick, but it'll best most hatchbacks in a sprint, getting to 60 mph in under seven seconds. More important is the nstant electric torque that gives it quick responses from a stop. The compact body makes it easy to dart into gaps in traffic or merge confidently onto faster roads, and one pedal driving is an absolute reality. Of course, you can adjust it on screen if you want it more, or less, aggressive.Amos KwonSteering is light but devoid of feedback, unsurprising for an EV. There is some torque steer due to the 210 horses and 169 lb-ft of torque The low-mounted battery helps keep its center of gravity in check, but the accuracy of the steering could be improved. It sometimes feels a little displaced in the corners. Regenerative braking is one of the Bolt's best driving tools, and even in Normal mode, one pedal driving is a reality. We lament the loss of the regen braking paddle shifters on the last Bolt. Here, you have to make on-screen adjustments.Amos KwonThe Bolt uses a 65-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and now gets a native NACS charge port. At a peak rate of up to 150 kW, it can charge from 10% to 80% in about 25 to 30 minutes. That's about 180 miles of range —while a 240-volt Level 2 home charger can replenish a depleted battery in roughly seven to eight hours and a standard 120-volt outlet requires more than 50 hours, making it best reserved for occasional emergency top-ups.Ride quality is generally good, but it errs on the side of firm. The larger wheels and more aggressive tires on the RS trim contribute to this. Over bumps and gaps, the cabin remains creak-free and solid. In daily commuting, the Bolt RS is more than capable and comfortable, and buyers should be impressed with the quality feel and composure that belies its affordability. That said, I would avoid the Super Cruise Package if you're not planning on doing a lot of highway driving. Its $3,2500 price is the equivalent of about 10 percent of the base price of the RS. .Final VerdictThe 2027 Bolt RS is one of the most impressive small EVs because of everything it packs into a sub-$32k EV with 262 miles of range. It's smooth, nimble, spacious, and tech-forward. You should expect some interior cheapness, but that's balanced by a generally well-appointed cabin and more rear legroom than some compact sedans. If you're an urban dweller and have access to charging, the Bolt EV should be on your short list. Just remember that it's not long for this world, so get on it.