I love the Chevy Bolt for what it managed to achieve for the brand. Not only was it a smart, affordable, and practical EV, but it was also brilliantly timed. Nobody was doing what Chevy did, and it was a more compelling offering than the Nissan Leaf when the Bolt debuted in 2017. Frankly, it was groundbraking for what it delivered, and Chevy sold a crap ton of them.Amos KwonThe new Bolt isn't revolutionary, but it is markedly better than the model that ended its life after the 2023 model year. It's been tweaked inside and out, and its 262-mile range is quite impressive given the sub-$30k price tag. I drove the pricier top trim RS for a week, and it brought a smile to my face in most aspects. There were, however, a handful of things that annoyed me.The Lack of Regen Braking PaddlesAmos KwonRegenerative braking is a great feature on EVs and hybrids. It's an energy-recovery system that captures some of the energy normally lost as heat when the brakes are applied. The electric motor acts as a generator driven by the vehicle's forward momentum. The system produces electricity, which is sent back to the battery to use later. It improves efficiency and reduces wear. Some cars have paddle controls to adjust the aggressiveness of the system. The Bolt used to have them but no more.The system can improve overall efficiency and, because it reduces reliance on conventional friction brakes in many situations, may also help limit brake-pad wear. The original Bolt used a steering-wheel paddle to provide stronger regen braking because its earlier brake system wasn't able to fully prioritize regen through the brake pedal alone. The 2027 Bolt has a more advanced blended-braking system that can maximize energy recovery through the pedal before applying the conventional friction brakes, eliminating the need for a separate regen on demand paddle. Now, adjustments have to be made on-screen, making the level change harder to access. I realize the new system is more efficient, but I appreciated the paddles to make quick adjustments.The Hard PlasticsAmos KwonThere's no avoiding some material cheapness in a sub-$30k vehicle. It's expected that when prices need to be kept down, some areas of the cabin will invariably suffer. In the Bolt, it's primarily the door panels, center console, and the dashboard. They're not just hard to the touch but also visually cheap. The contrast between them and the high quality seats, technology screens, and the great switchgear is stark. I wouldn't complain so much, but other automakers like Hyundai and Kia do lesser plastics better.Amos KwonThe black plastic on the door panels are some of the cheapest I've come across. It's thin, hollow-sounding when tapped on, and grainy. That continues on the center console sides, which sport the same stuff. It's prevalent on the sides of the lower binnacle and on the armrest sides. The top of the dashboard is also cheap but not quite as bad as the doors and dash.The Overstyled Rear QuartersAmos KwonI would characterize the Bolt's styling as tidy. It's a compact package that's generally well-executed. Its front end styling is attractive and especially sporty in RS trim. The black wheels and details all over the Bolt RS's exterior make it look pricier than it is. That said, I'm not a big fan of the rear quarter, especially the top half. The Bolt has a floating roof that joins with the C-pillar. There's a big uptick just below the back half of the rear window, and the window frame continues to the roof spoiler.Amos KwonIt's not the floating roof effect I don't like. It's the use of so many creases in one place. I count at least half a dozen in a very small area. Most of them converge to a single point and contribute to a rear section that's overly busy. On a larger vehicle, this might not look as strange, but the subcompact Bolt doesn't wear it very well. Pair that with a complex taillight shape, and things look overdone.The Steering Column-Mounted Shift LeverAmos KwonThe Bolt isn't the only car that has this type of shifter. Mercedes does it, and so does Hyundai. That said, this is one of the worst versions I've used. The stalk is small, plasticky, and isn't worthy to be one of the most important controls in a vehicle. It's not even a special color to set it apart from the wiper stalk/turn signal stalk on the left side.Functionally, it works fine once you get used to it. It just doesn't look or feel substantial. Hyundai's version is large, rectangular and uses a twist motion to operate. The Bolt's has to be pulled forward and down to shift into drive or forward and up for reverse. It's not a great shifter, and I found myself lamenting its existence.Final ThoughtsThe 2027 Chevy Bolt RS is a truly worthy entry-level EV. It's got the range, the comfort, and tech to please most drivers. There are, however, some low points that can be annoyances rather than deal breakers. Some of these shortcomings are expected at this price, while others are design issues. Nevertheless, the Bolt is worth more than its very affordable sticker price.