BMW i3 vs Chevy Bolt, Two Great EVs
Between the BMW i3 and the Chevy Bolt, the BMW i3 has a smooth design and an excellent interior that the Chevy Bolt can’t really compete with.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The
electric vehicle
market is booming, and cars are improving. At this point, an all-electric car is often a luxury item, with cars such as the Cadillac Celestiq
sporting serious bling.Two great examples of the great driving experience you can get from electric cars are the BMW i3 and Chevy Bolt. They both provide unique perks in their design, and
Jerry
can give you a thorough comparison of both cars.BMW i3 vs Chevy Bolt specs
Car and Driver
describes the Chevy Bolt as having a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor with a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. This gives the four-door hatchback 266 pounds of torque and 200 horsepower.This combination of the motor with a powerful battery gives the Bolt a burst of speed off the starting block, getting from zero to 60 in 6.7 seconds. The front-wheel-drive and single-speed direct drive add to the smooth ride.
The Bolt has a 259-mile range on a full charge, and it comes with a fast-charging option that lets you charge up to a 100-mile range in 30 minutes. The hand brake that gives you on-demand regenerative braking helps with the range too.
The BMW i3, on the other hand, has a range of 153 miles on a full charge according to
Car and Driver
. It does include an optional gas-powered range extender, but it still doesn't compare favorably.Where the BMW i3 shines is in zippiness. It can go from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds. The single-speed automatic transmission with a 20-amp/Hr battery gives it 181 horsepower and 199 pounds of torque.
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BMW i3 vs Chevy Bolt interior
Comparing the BMW i3 vs the Chevy Bolt, we find the BMW i3 has increased access to the back seats by putting the hinges of the back doors at the back and removing the central pillar. The back seats fold down easily to give you a ton of room.
The Bolt, by contrast, provides a roomier back and front seat for passengers. It can carry only five carry-on bags, but it has a convenient compartment behind the shifter for odds and ends.
Chevrolet has added some textured materials to the futuristic-looking dashboard of the Bolt, while the i3 goes for a more streamlined look with the BMW's iDrive 6 infotainment interface. The i3 only has Apple CarPlay, but the Bolt has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The BMW i3's interior is prettier, with brown leather and gray cloth upholstery. On the other hand, Car and Driver found the Bolt's design dorky and full of hard plastics.
How does the driving experience of each car compare?
The BMW i3 is a relatively light and compact hatchback, and it stunned the Car and Driver's testers with its bump-free and silent riding experience. They didn't think you should trust the range for anything besides tooling around town, but it is great at maneuvering through downtown traffic and parking.
By contrast, the Bolt is slightly less smooth. However, the roomy cabin and decent range more than make up for it. In short, the Bolt may be the more practical choice, but the i3 is flashier.
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