2023 vs 2027 Chevrolet Bolt: 5 Biggest Changes
After a three-year hiatus, the Chevrolet Bolt is back for the 2027 model year. Although the new version of Chevy’s small all-electric car looks quite similar, a lot has changed from the last time we saw the Bolt in 2023. The brand claims 57% of the parts on the vehicle are all-new to the Bolt, enough that the manufacturer had to have the small EV crash tested again for safety certification.
Rather than go through every wire, nut, bolt, and panel that make up the 57% new parts, we have consolidated things down to the five biggest changes the Bolt has received for the 2027 model year. Here they are below in no particular order.
Battery Architecture
The biggest change to the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt has to do with the battery architecture. Whereas the 2023 model could charge at speeds up to 55 kW, the new vehicle is capable of recharging at 150 kW. The secret to the increased speed has to do with a variety of factors, most notably a new 400V architecture centered around an equally new 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. Chevrolet claims with the new set-up, the Bolt can recharged from 10% to 80% in 26 minutes.
The electric drive motor also changes a bit, bumping power to 210 hp, but dropping torque a good chunk to 169 lb-ft. With a revised final drive ratio though, Chevrolet states the new Bolt is actually a smidge quicker in the 0-60 mph run than the old model.
Exterior Lights
Like any good refresh, exterior lighting is an easy update to make that has a large visual impact. The new headlights on the 2027 Bolt now better resemble those on other Chevrolet EV SUVs, notably the Equinox. There’s an LED strip on top with a separate headlight housed below. The taillights are narrower and more stylized. They wrap around to the sides of the vehicle and remain connected by a thin black bar across the hatch.
Dashboard
The dashboard and center console have been redesigned for function, function, and more function. In front of the passenger is a swath of shelves and cubbies, optimizing storage, which continues down into the center console. The gear selector has been relocated to a column-mounted shifter, which allows for three cup holders on two tiers of shelves between the driver and front passenger.
As well, there are some trick shelves around the wireless phone charger. There’s a flat one underneath that could store a wallet and a smaller one to the side, possibly for house keys.
Ride Comfort
With the changes to the battery architecture, various mounting points, brackets, and suspension components had to be altered as well. This led to new tuning for the dampers and suspension, which resulted in a vehicle that’s quite responsive and relatively flat while cornering. The downside is a stiff suspension. It’s not jarring, nor does it crash over bumps; it’s just prone to bouncing and popping over road imperfections.
Technology
As mentioned a few times in this article, a lot of technology has been updated with the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt. There are two big changes not discussed yet, though: the screens and Super Cruise.
Starting with the screens, in the dash is a new 11.0-inch fully digital customizable driver information screen. Placed lower and centered in the dash is an 11.3-inch infotainment screen. Both of these units use Chevrolet’s latest infotainment software and operate similarly to the brand’s other EV offerings.
The Super Cruise system in the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt is enhanced and now allows for fully hands-free highway-to-highway changes. If the programmed route in the vehicle’s GPS system moves from one major (and mapped) highway to another, the Bolt will enter and exit on-ramps on its own, completely hands-free and devoid of any inputs from the driver.
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A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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