2022 Bolt EV: Lightbulb Moment

The 2022 Bolt EV has undergone a full redesign and has seen some major updates in several key areas. While the styling changes are quite drastic, we believe drivers will find the small changes made the most pleasing. It might be hard at first blush to look past all but the most obvious changes to see the smaller ones when you visit your Pennsylvania electric car dealer, so we will be examining the 2022 Bolt EV in detail to familiarize you with the updates. The Bolt EV was the first truly affordable EV that gave buyers a Tesla-like range and features without the massive price tag. From the body style to the interior, the new 2022 Bolt EV gives buyers the chance to own a smartly designed vehicle that will make owners of last year’s model wish they had waited a little longer to pick one up.

Body Styling Changes

As stated above, the exterior was the area with the biggest changes, and they make the 2022 model really stand out from the one that came before it. Starting at the front, one can see that the headlights have been moved lower on the body, and the daytime running lights and turn signals are slits above them. It gives the tiny car a more aggressive look and sets it apart from the rather doey-eyed generation of old. It also gives the car a slightly more upmarket look by bringing the styling in line with other models of GM’s lineup that use the same angular lights, including the Corvette.

Below the front lights is a solid piece of plastic that fills the place where one would expect a grille to be. Like what can be found on its larger sibling, the Bolt EUV, the plastic has striations in it, giving the front end more character than the featureless designs from other manufacturers. The side profile remains nearly the same, as the car is still based on the old chassis from the previous year, with one small exception. A strip of chrome now follows the curve of the A-pillar, hooking back below the front side windows and extending out onto the side mirrors. Although relatively minor, this change gives the 2022 Bolt EV some added character.

The rear end has some styling changes that are worth mentioning, too. Gone are the odd wavy tail light LED pods of the 2021 Bolt, replaced with more streamlined units. These are not where the taillights are any longer and are simply used as running lights in the 2022 model. The real tail lights are located in the bumper and are slim rectangular units. These work in conjunction with the high-mounted third brake light and can be seen without issue when viewed from behind.

Interior Changes

Inside you’ll find much the same story. Gone are the bubbly curves and contrasting colored surfaces. Now you’ll find a much more upscale-looking interior, with muted blacks and greys and much blockier styling. Both the 2021 and 2022 models feature (as almost all modern cars do) a large 10.2-inch touchscreen in the center of the dash. It tilts away from the driver along with the whole dashboard, giving the car an airy, open feel. Instead of having the screen jut out from the bottom and having the dash curl around it on either side like in the 2021 model, the 2022 Bolt EV has the screen housed entirely within the span of the dash with HVAC controls below it, flowing into the sleek center console.

Thankfully gone is the overly complicated joystick-type transmission controller. In its place is the now-standard GM style shifter with the gear selector buttons laid out in a single line that drivers either need to push or pull to activate. It makes the center console appear less cluttered and gives the interior a more cohesive feel over the outgoing model. Also gone is the cheap-looking plastic surrounding the cupholders, which has been replaced with premium soft-touch materials with nice stitching overlaid into the plastic. It’s nice to know that GM is giving even buyers of their more affordable models something to be proud of. Buying an inexpensive car doesn’t have to mean getting a cheap cabin, and that’s important to buyers with only so much to spend on a car they may own for the next several years.

A Proven Drivetrain

The 2022 Bolt EV retains the single, high-capacity permanent magnet electric motor found in the 2021 model. A larger 66 kWh battery pack from LG Chem was introduced in the 2020 Bolt EV and remains the power supply for the 2022 model year. This proven drivetrain gives the Bolt EV an effective range of 259 miles and allows the vehicle to be launched from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just seven seconds. The 2022 Bolt EV will retain one pedal driving as a handy feature for those that want to enjoy the futuristic feeling of driving without having to use the brake pedal. Regenerative braking is still offered as standard and allows one to use the energy from bringing the car to a stop to add a small amount of power to their batteries. While this will never be enough to keep the batteries completely charged, it does allow the vehicle to get a bit of extra range at no extra cost.

Hello Technology, Goodbye Premier

The Premier trim level has been cut from the line, and gone with it are certain comfort and convenience features such as the backup camera integrated into the rearview mirror and a sunroof. If you want those things, you’ll now have to step up to the larger Bolt EUV. However, the 2022 Bolt EV offers buyers adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, which were not offered in the 2021 model. While SuperCruise is also only an option on the larger Bolt EUV, we are certain that drivers will make good use of what is offered in the lower-priced Bolt EV. This includes the six driver-assist technologies of the Chevy Safety Suite, which are now included standard on every Bolt EV trim. They may not be as attention-grabbing as Super Cruise, but they will help keep you safe out on the road.

New Horizons For The Bolt

The 2022 Bolt EV is a great leap forward for Chevy’s EV program. The original was great, but the new model improves on the outgoing in terms of styling, interior, and features. While the proven drivetrain remains virtually unchanged from the previous year, the 2022 version will offer slightly faster charging speeds than the outgoing model. The Bolt EV was America’s first EV that offered both the price and range that customers were looking for, along with contemporary styling and a comfortable interior. The new 2022 Bolt EV gives all that to drivers along with all-new styling, a more luxuriously appointed interior, and new features not found on the 2021 model. If you’ve been finding yourself wanting an EV and were tempted by the Bolt EV in the past, now’s the time to get down to our dealership for a test drive. You’re going to fall in love with the 2022 Bolt EV.