Car and DriverTiming is an underrated aspect of automobiles. Is a great car truly great if it arrives at the wrong moment? After a week of testing the newest battery-powered machines and evaluating them based on the value, fun, and technology they offer, along with mission fulfillment, we determined that the year's best new EV also happens to be the most accessible option. Just as an affordability crisis is affecting swaths of new-car buyers, the Chevrolet Bolt, perfectly timed with a substantial number of features given its low price, stood above the fray to nab our EV of the Year accolade.Affordability is relative, of course. One person's inexpensive goods are another's out-of-budget treasures. Nevertheless, at a time when the average price of a new car hovers around $50K, the 2027 Bolt's $28,995 base price makes it about as budget-friendly as a new car can be.This isn't new positioning; the Bolt has always been a low-priced option among electric vehicles, with the outgoing 2023 model—the final year before its hiatus—starting at $27,495. The reborn Bolt may cost more on paper, but adjust for inflation, and it undercuts its predecessor by over $1000. The price cut is even more pronounced if you're comparing the new car to the old Bolt EUV, from which the '27 model borrows its body panels and underpinnings, even if it skips the EUV nomenclature.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverThe revived Bolt uses the EUV's 105.3-inch wheelbase, which nets it an extra 2.9 inches between its wheel centers compared with its non-EUV predecessor. This is a boon for ride quality and also creates a generous rear passenger compartment. This stubby subcompact has enough rear-seat legroom for lanky six-footers to sit comfortably in the outboard positions of the three-across bench even with the front buckets pushed to the far ends of their rails.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Bolt's spacious and versatile interior may contribute to its cause, but those characteristics play second fiddle to the battery-related enhancements that separate this Chevy EV from the similarly packaged Bolt EUV before it. A peak charge speed of 150 kW is nearly three times quicker than before, thanks to a switch to lithium-iron phosphate battery chemistry. We found that it takes 38 minutes to refill the 65-kWh battery from a 10 to a 90 percent state of charge.Driving range is reasonable, with the new Bolt managing 230 miles in our 75-mph real-world test. That tops the EUV by 40 miles and the previous Bolt by 10. Both of those also take a lot longer to put electrons back into their packs.Lightweight EVs don't exactly exist yet, and our top-spec Bolt RS weighed in at 3793 pounds, although that's over 500 pounds lighter than the rival Nissan Leaf. And the pint-size Chevy does a commendable job of hiding its weight on twistier tarmac. Credit a low center of gravity, light and responsive steering, and a reasonably communicative chassis that affords this Bolt with more behind-the-wheel verve than its shape would suggest. Like the 40-time 10Best-winning Honda Accord, the Bolt proves that the appliance-like nature of a family car does not necessitate dull driving dynamics. And while the 215/50R-17 Michelin e-Primacy low-rolling-resistance tires gave up the gun on our skidpad after hitting a rather low 0.82 g, the all-seasons at least lose grip in a progressive manner that helps reinforce the adage that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverThe Bolt isn't quick, but mostly in the somewhat absurdist context of today's EVs. The 210-hp front-mounted permanent-magnet drive motor's 169 pound-feet of torque is not a lot by EV standards but is still gutsy enough to push the little Chevy around with reasonable authority. The Bolt makes up for its dearth of twist with a short 11.59:1 final-drive ratio to ensure there's reasonable oomph at the ready. The Bolt's 6.7-second trot to 60 mph is acceptable, and its acceleration on the move is more than adequate for passing slower traffic at city and highway speeds. Boot the right pedal, and a 30–50-mph pass takes a spritely 2.5 seconds, while getting from 50 to 70 mph requires just 3.6 ticks of the second hand.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf keeping your hands on the wheel and a foot on the pedal is tiresome, then the Bolt has you covered, courtesy of its available Super Cruise hands-free driving-assist system. Short of Tesla's Full-Self Driving (Supervised), there's no better hands-free option in the business, although you'll have to spend at least $35,655 on a Bolt so equipped.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverThe final ace up the Bolt's sleeve, though, is just how easy it is to operate, regardless of its equipment levels. The interior may feature an abundance of hard plastics, but what the cabin lacks in soft surfaces it makes up for in utility, courtesy of a convenient array of storage cubbies and open space. Ergonomics are top-notch, too, and Chevy avoided a common EV pitfall by maintaining physical knobs and buttons for gear selection, wiper functions, and climate controls, the latter of which works with a more efficient heat pump to warm the cabin as opposed to the resistive heater of prior Bolts. Even the infotainment system is easy to operate courtesy of its generally intuitive layout and menu structures and responsive touchscreen commands. Still, we wish General Motors would reconsider its decision to shun Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.Marc Urbano - Car and DriverWe also miss the old car's steering-wheel-mounted regen paddle, but there's now more regen adjustability. As with the previous Bolt, one-pedal driving remains but now with three modes. The Off setting mimics what you might expect from an internal-combustion powertrain. Normal gets more aggressive, and High is just too much.The '27 Bolt's comprehensive glow-up couldn't come at a better time. America doesn't need another hyper-powered, hyper-expensive EV. This Chevy does something no other EV in our market has before: It democratizes modern battery-electric powertrain technology at a sub-$30K price while also offering the core creature comforts modern consumers expect. The fact that Chevy pins a $28,995 price to an EV with a spacious and versatile cabin, solid real-world driving range, spirited dynamics, and a general ease of use makes the '27 Bolt the right EV for right now.➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029