The day I picked up a 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS, I turned the heated seats and the heated steering wheel all the way up, and the warmth reached around the entire rim of the wheel, where some cars heat only part of it. The column shifter took some getting used to and felt natural within days, and by midweek the Bolt had become my errand car, easy to drive around town and to squeeze into tight parking spots.
I drove the Marina Blue Metallic RS from November 3 to November 9, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The 2027 Bolt starts at $28,995 for the LT and $32,995 for the RS, destination included. My RS came to $35,685 with a panoramic sunroof and the Technology Package.
- EPA range is 262 miles from a 65-kWh lithium iron phosphate pack, and Chevrolet tells owners to charge it to 100% regularly.
- It has a native NACS port and 150 kW DC fast charging, with a 10-80% charge in an estimated 25 minutes.
- The RS adds heated and ventilated front seats and a heated wheel as standard, and in Auto climate the car runs them on its own.
- Seats, suspension and the buttons on the back of the steering wheel are all stiff, and the brake pedal takes real effort in stop-and-go traffic.
- A 37.7-foot turning circle makes it easy to place around town.
- Keyless power-off has a quirk: after I changed the charging schedule while plugged in, the car would not shut off until I shifted out of Park and back.
What the 2027 Bolt Is
The new Bolt is a five-seat front-drive hatchback on a 105.3-inch wheelbase, with a single 210-hp motor making 169 lb-ft of torque.
Chevrolet quotes 6.7 seconds from 0 to 60 mph in Sport mode.
The EPA classes it as a small station wagon and rates it at 120 MPGe combined, with 294 miles of city range and 232 on the highway.
The LT and RS share the battery, motor and range, and the RS adds a gloss black grille, gloss black 17-inch wheels and roof rails, a power driver’s seat and the heated and ventilated seats that cost extra on the LT.
Fairfax Assembly in Kansas City, Kansas, builds both, and Chevrolet calls the Bolt a limited-run model. My 2027 Bolt buyer’s overview covers pricing, options and colors in full.
The sticker on my car lists 17% U.S. and Canadian parts content and 51% from China, including the motor and the electric drive unit.
The two options on my car were a $1,495 dual-panel sunroof with a power shade and a $1,195 Technology Package with HD Surround Vision, a rear camera mirror, a wireless phone charger, traffic sign recognition and rain-sensing wipers, bringing the sticker to $35,685 with destination. Super Cruise, a $3,255 package on either trim, was not fitted.
Inside: One Page for Every Volume Level
The 11.3-inch center screen runs Google built-in, and I had it figured out on the first day. Tapping the volume icon opens one page that adjusts the volume of every system in the car, so the levels sit together instead of in separate menus. An 11-inch display sits ahead of the driver.
GM’s feature lists for the Bolt name Google built-in and do not include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, so phone apps run through Google’s own app store.
The seats are on the stiff side. Their heaters are cozy, and full blast is a good temperature. With the climate control in Auto, the Bolt switched the seat heaters and ventilation on and adjusted them without my touching anything, heating or cooling me as the cabin needed.
The buttons on the back of the steering wheel, which run the volume and skip tracks, are stiff to press.
The shifter lives on the steering column. It was unfamiliar at first and soon felt natural.
Once I parked with the passenger window down. A warning came up, and the driver’s window rolled itself up while the passenger window stayed open. That one was my mistake, though the warning did not register with me at first.
Driving: A 37.7-Foot Turning Circle and a Heavy Brake Pedal
The Bolt is decently fun to drive, though it is not a quick EV, and Chevrolet’s 6.7-second 0-60 figure in Sport mode reflects that. It shines on errands and around town, where the short body and the 37.7-foot turning circle let me slot it into tight spaces.
The suspension, a MacPherson strut front with a torsion beam at the rear, is tuned as stiff as the seats. The brake pedal needs more pressure than I expected, and in heavy traffic, holding it down over and over wore on my ankle.
Charging and the Power-Off Quirk
Charging was easy all week.
The Bolt has a native NACS port, the Tesla-style connector, and comes with a dual-level cord that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt NEMA 14-50 for up to 7.7 kW. The onboard charger accepts 11.5 kW from a dedicated wall unit, good for about 40 miles of range per hour, according to Chevrolet. Adapters for J1772 stations and CCS1 fast chargers cost extra, $99 and $299. I covered the details in my 2027 Bolt range and charging guide.
Getting in and driving off with the key in my pocket, and having the car shut itself off when I walked away or locked it, is a convenience I liked.
With the door open, I pressed the brake to change the charging schedule, which turned the car on. Once the schedule was set, the Bolt would not turn off, even after repeated presses of the lock button on the key.
The fix was to unplug the charger, shift into Drive or Reverse and back to Park, shut the car off, then plug the charger back in. It’s a small nuance worth knowing about.
Safety Tech, Recalls and Owner Complaints
Every 2027 Bolt has adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian, bicyclist and intersection detection, lane keep assist, blind zone steering assist, rear cross traffic braking, reverse automatic braking, IntelliBeam high beams and a Safety Alert Seat that vibrates to warn you. NHTSA and the IIHS have not crash-tested it.
NHTSA lists one 2027 Bolt recall, 26V114, a GM-wide fix for radios that were not set to download the electronic owner’s manual; a dealer resets the radio. Owners have filed seven complaints as of November 9, 2026, and four describe unexpected hard braking from the automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise or brake system.
2027 Chevy Bolt RS Highs and Lows
Highs
- One volume page for every system in the car
- Heated wheel warms the entire rim; heated and ventilated seats standard on the RS
- Auto climate runs the seat heating and ventilation for you
- Small turning circle and easy to place in tight spots
- Column shifter feels natural after a short adjustment
- Native NACS port and an included dual-level cord
Lows
- Stiff seats and suspension
- Steering-wheel back buttons take a hard press
- Brake pedal effort tires the ankle in stop-and-go traffic
- Hard to power down after turning the car on while plugged in
- Charging adapters cost extra
2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS Specifications
| Specification | 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS |
|---|---|
| Base price (with $1,395 destination) | $32,995 (LT $28,995) |
| As tested | $35,685 |
| Motor | Single permanent-magnet motor, front |
| Power / torque | 210 hp / 169 lb-ft |
| Transmission / drivetrain | Single-speed / front-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 6.7 seconds (Chevrolet, Sport mode) |
| Battery | 65 kWh lithium iron phosphate |
| EPA range | 262 miles (294 city, 232 highway) |
| EPA efficiency | 134 city / 106 highway / 120 combined MPGe; 28 kWh/100 miles |
| DC fast charging | 150 kW peak; 10-80% in about 25 minutes (Chevrolet estimate) |
| AC charging | 11.5 kW onboard; 6.8 hours on 240V (EPA) |
| Charge port | NACS (SAE J3400) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Cargo | 16.2 cu ft behind rear seat, 56.3 cu ft folded |
| Curb weight | 3,807 lb (LT 3,776 lb) |
| Wheelbase / length | 105.3 in. / 169.6 in. |
| Ground clearance | 5.6 in. |
| Tires | Michelin 215/50R17 all-season; inflator kit, no spare |
| Battery warranty | 8 years / 100,000 miles |
Who Should Buy the 2027 Bolt RS
At $35,685, my RS put heated and ventilated seats, a heated wheel, surround cameras and a sunroof on a 262-mile EV small enough to squeeze into tight parking spots. It suits a buyer whose days are errands and city miles. The LT at $28,995 carries the same battery, motor and range for $4,000 less. Stiff suspension, stiff seats, stiff buttons. But this car certainly is not meant to be driven by a stiff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the 2027 Chevy Bolt?
The 2027 Bolt LT starts at $28,995 and the RS at $32,995, both including the $1,395 destination charge. The RS I drove, with a $1,495 sunroof and a $1,195 Technology Package, stickered at $35,685.
What is the range of the 2027 Chevy Bolt?
The EPA rates both trims at 262 miles combined, 294 in the city and 232 on the highway. The battery is a 65-kWh lithium iron phosphate pack.
How fast does the 2027 Bolt charge?
The Bolt peaks at 150 kW on a DC fast charger, and Chevrolet estimates 25 minutes from 10% to 80%. At home, the onboard charger accepts 11.5 kW, and the EPA lists a 6.8-hour full charge on 240 volts.
Does the 2027 Chevy Bolt work at Tesla Superchargers?
The Bolt has a native NACS port and can charge at select Tesla Superchargers, according to Chevrolet, which lists compatible stations in the MyChevrolet app.
Does the 2027 Bolt have Apple CarPlay?
The Bolt runs Google built-in on its 11.3-inch screen, and GM’s feature lists for it do not include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Apps come from the Google Play store.
What is the difference between the 2027 Bolt LT and RS?
Both trims share the 210-hp motor, battery and 262-mile range. The RS adds gloss black styling and wheels, roof rails, a power driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated wheel and ambient lighting, for $4,000 more than the LT.
Is the 2027 Chevy Bolt fast?
Chevrolet quotes 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds in Sport mode from the 210-hp motor. In my week it was decently fun around town, though not a quick EV.
Does the 2027 Bolt have Super Cruise?
Super Cruise is a $3,255 package on both the LT and RS, which Chevrolet lists with late availability. The RS I drove did not have it.
Where is the 2027 Chevy Bolt built?
Fairfax Assembly in Kansas City, Kansas, builds the Bolt. The window sticker lists the motor and electric drive unit as made in China and 51% of parts content from China.
Is the 2027 Chevy Bolt a good car?
For city driving and errands it is easy to live with, and the RS comes well equipped with heated and ventilated seats and a heated wheel. Its stiff seats and suspension and its heavy brake pedal in traffic were the trade-offs that stood out over my week.
The manufacturer provided the vehicle for this review with a full charge.
Michael Kahn
Michael Kahn is the writer, photographer, and publisher behind The Weekly Driver. He cares about how cars drive and what they're like to own. He covers automobile industry news, car shows and events, and new car reviews. The reviews come from behind the wheel: day trips that favor back routes, treating a good meal as half the reason to go. He directs and produces the visual media, matching each car to a setting and mood that fit it. When he's not reviewing new cars, Michael races paddleboards, camels, and ostriches, along with the occasional exotic car on the racetrack, and has driven in every state and country visited.
https://theweeklydriver.com
