By: Aoun Syed
September 17, 2026
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS is proof that a reasonably priced compact EV is possible without sacrificing range or practicality. Its impressive range, generous proportions and extensive features make it a compelling choice while still being able to handle tight urban environments with ease. We had the opportunity to test this small but mighty EV to see how it holds up.
In pictures, the Bolt appears to be a deceptively small EV, but in person it is a completely different story, as it sits significantly higher and feels closer to an SUV than a small hatchback. Wrapped in Habanero Orange, the exterior carries a more aggressive look too, with its sharp LED lights and subtle diamond-patterned lines embedded into the front and rear bumpers. Our RS tester was finished in Habanero Orange with a Jet Black interior and red accents.
These proportions also transition well into the interior. Sitting inside the Bolt, you are presented with a high seating position that makes it feel more akin to a larger crossover. Much of the interior consists of durable, easy-to-clean plastics, as well as plenty of storage spaces around the dash and in front of the centre console. On our RS tester, the front seats were heated and ventilated, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, although the padding felt on the stiffer side during daily commutes. The rear seats also contain quite a bit of legroom, but fitting three adults in the back can be a bit of a challenge at times due to the narrow width.
The feeling of being in a larger vehicle is also translated well through the control layout. The large infotainment screen is angled upwards, making it easier for the driver to read. The infotainment system itself takes some adjusting to, but after a few hours with my tester I was able to access all of the functions without having to dig around. Most of the climate controls are operated through easy-to-use physical buttons that feel just a touch premium, although the radio off button is a bit of a stretch for the driver. The front cupholders come with adjustable dividers that allow for a tighter fit, but adjusting them with one hand takes some practice, as I found myself constantly having to realign the dividers into the correct grooves.
There are also plenty of other technological goodies on offer. Our RS tester came with the optional Technology Package, which adds a digital Rear Camera Mirror, HD Surround Vision, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, wireless charging and Rainsense front wipers. The fully digital Driver Information Centre measures 11 inches and is configurable with the option to display useful driving information directly in the instrument cluster.
While some compact EVs sacrifice power in order to keep costs down, the Bolt is no slouch when getting off the line. The single front motor provides a surprising amount of instant torque for quick highway merges and plenty of passing power. One-Pedal Driving is also toggleable, but the button to do so is relatively small and can be distracting to enable or disable on the fly, while the mode itself can be very aggressive, especially as speeds approach single digits. At highway speeds, you can sometimes hear a faint electric whine when lifting off the accelerator, but the noise is minimal and easy to tune out.
Much like the deceptive proportions, the Bolt also drives like a much larger vehicle than it really is. While the turning radius is tight at lower speeds, the steering has some weight to it and the car serves up reminders of its front-wheel-drive layout when taking tighter highway on-ramps, with understeer being quite noticeable. The suspension is a bit on the stiffer side but remains comfortable, and bumps feel significantly damped while a touch of body roll can be felt in the corners. The brakes pack a powerful and responsive punch, but when coming to a stop the car has a tendency to lurch to a complete stop, and avoiding this requires surgeon-level brake pedal application.
One of the most notable selling points for the Bolt is the range. Natural Resources Canada rates our RS tester for 422 km of driving range, with an official consumption figure of 17.5 kWh/100 km. During our testing, the vehicle displayed an estimated 436 km of range, which was an impressive result. When charging was needed, we were able to add roughly 150 km of indicated range during a quick 15-minute charging session. The battery supports DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, while the built-in NACS port allows the Bolt to access compatible chargers without requiring an adapter.
The move to a native NACS port does mean that some older charging equipment using different connectors will require the appropriate adapter. For owners primarily using newer NACS-compatible infrastructure, however, having the connector built directly into the vehicle makes the charging experience considerably simpler.
Our 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS carried a base price of $42,599. The optional Technology Package added $1,495, the panoramic power sunroof added $1,875 and Habanero Orange paint added another $595. With destination and the other listed charges included, our tester came to $49,963 before taxes.
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS is a small but mighty electric crossover. It fills a much-needed gap in the market for a reasonably sized city car with plenty of range for longer trips, making it a great EV for those who live in tighter urban areas but still want enough range for weekend trips outside of the city where charging infrastructure may not be as readily available.
