The Chevrolet Bolt Is Back for 2027; Here’s What We Think It Needs
2027 Chevrolet Bolt | Manufacturer image
We’ve known for a couple years now that Chevrolet will be bringing back its Bolt electric vehicle, and now the company has released teaser exterior detail photos of the reborn 2027 Bolt. The images reveal fresh styling touches and, notably, a switch to a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard port, but the basic shape and subcompact hatchback proportions appear to be the same as the departed Bolt EUV.
Related: Throwing Back the Bolt: Chevrolet Bolt Returns for Second Generation
The EV market has already changed significantly since the Bolt EV and EUV first rode off into the sunset, however. Though Chevrolet hasn’t released any specific details on the 2027 Bolt yet, here’s what we think the new model needs to be competitive in today’s EV landscape:
- Quicker fast-charging capability
- Pricing that’s competitive with other entry-level EVs
- A space-efficient interior
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
By Damon Bell
July 30, 2025
1 / 32027 Chevrolet Bolt | Manufacturer image
Quicker Fast-Charging Capability
The original Bolts’ driving range of around 250 miles is still respectable today (and the new Bolt will almost certainly offer improved range), but their max DC fast-charging capability was limited to 55 kilowatts, which is far below newer EVs. The new Bolt will feature an upgraded battery and Ultium software that should improve its fast-charging performance, but by how much remains to be seen.
Pricing Competitive With Other Entry-Level EVs – Including Chevy’s Own Equinox EV
By the end of their production run, the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV were bona fide bargains — both were comfortably under $30,000 to start, and the bottom line dropped even further when tax credits and other potential incentives were factored in. Maintaining that value-focused pricing will be a key factor making the new Bolt competitive against the current crop of entry-level EVs like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Chevrolet’s own Equinox EV, not to mention the reimagined-for-2026 Nissan Leaf. We wouldn’t be surprised if the new Bolt is front-wheel drive only like its predecessors, either, since all-wheel drive is difficult to make feasible at a sub-$30,000 price.
Space-Efficient Interior
The original Bolts packed a pleasantly surprising amount of cargo and occupant room into a tidy exterior footprint. Based on the teaser photos, it looks like that virtue will continue with the new version.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Many consumers are accustomed to the phone-projection technology built into their smartphones, but GM has dropped Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity in many of its latest EVs in favor of its own in-house, Google Built-In-based infotainment system. The new Bolt will likely follow this same path, making it a deal breaker for a good number of potential buyers — especially iPhone users.
We’ll know more soon, as Chevrolet says additional information on the 2027 Bolt is coming in the fall. Stay tuned for more details and analysis.
Read More About the Chevrolet Bolt:
- 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV: Bow-Tie EVs, Now In Two Sizes
- 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Review: Electric; Useful; Vanilla
- 2023 Cars.com Affordability Report: Best Value New Cars
- Research the Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Research the Chevrolet Bolt EUV
A Little History Lesson
The original Bolt EV debuted for the 2017 model year as GM’s first mainstream all-electric car and gained an SUV-esque Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle) stablemate for 2022. Despite issues with defective battery modules that posed a fire risk and led to multiple recalls — not to mention a damaged reputation — the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV maintained a loyal following thanks to their affordability, competitive driving range, practicality and zippy acceleration.
Even so, GM elected to drop both Bolts as the company prepped its next-generation line of Ultium-technology EVs (including the Blazer EV and aforementioned Equinox EV that debuted for 2024). The Bolts’ cancellation after the 2023 model year prompted an outcry from owners and fans, so GM reversed course and announced in July 2023 that the Bolt would be coming back.
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Senior Research Editor
Senior Research Editor Damon Bell has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, beginning as an Engineering Graphics researcher/proofreader at model-car manufacturer Revell-Monogram. From there, he moved on to various roles at Collectible Automobile magazine and Consumer Guide Automotive before joining Cars.com in August 2022. He served as president of the Midwest Automotive Media Association in 2019 and 2020.
