[wainair]

I popped down good an early today and had a chance to really give the Bolt a good once over. I was pleased with what I saw and I even had a chance to give the car a quick test drive!! Coming from a Gen1 Volt I knew what to expect as far as how an EV drives but I was really impressed with the acceleration in sport. We had 4 people in the car and it was still quicker than my Volt. The regen was impressive in around town traffic and I only used the brake to put the car in park when the test drive was over!! Something I didn't know but learned was that the brake light doesn't come on when you let your foot of the gas, sorry, throttle(LOL), but it will come on when you use the regen paddle on the steering wheel. So if you are coming up to a stop light it is wise to use the paddle even if you don't need to just to show the brake lights.

I found the front seats in the Bolt okay. I didn't find them as uncomfortable as some have. Granted I sat in the Gen2 Volt and the seats are much more comfortable in the Volt but it is more of a luxury layout in the Volt. The Bolt has much more of an economy car feel. Not a bad thing, just different. I had been avoiding the Gen2 Volt because I wanted to wait until the Bolt came out before I looked at a new car but I must say I like the Gen2 interior even more than my Gen1 Volt and I really liked the Gen1. I'm going to go for the dark interior on the Bolt. The light interior was on both of the Bolts on the floor and they were both getting bad soiling on the white and light grey leather already. It is a mucky time of the year but it shouldn't get that dirty that fast!

The back seat had tonnes of room for two tall adults. The best legroom of any small car I have ever been in! Visibility is great in the car too. I won't miss that A pillar on the Gen1 Volt! And the video rear view mirror was cool! I found it easy to use and didn't find it hard to refocus on the display. I am blessed with good vision though so maybe if you had bad vision it might be an issue. Not for me though, I like it! The Infotainment was straight forward and intuitive for me. I liked the layout and will enjoy getting it set up just the way I like it!

The Autoshow was good this year and the crowds were HUGE but it is also a Holiday today to so I guess that is to be expected. There was a real good showing if EV's from other companies but I was there for the Bolt. With the Bolt on the road all the others are just playing catch up to what Chevrolet is producing!

 

[Loboc]

Something I didn't know but learned was that the brake light doesn't come on when you let your foot of the gas, sorry, throttle(LOL), but it will come on when you use the regen paddle on the steering wheel. So if you are coming up to a stop light it is wise to use the paddle even if you don't need to just to show the brake lights.

You sure about this? Other reports say it is like ELR. Uses a deceleration sensor.

 

[DonC]

Seems like you ended up with a positive impression. I believe whether the brake lights come on depends on the deceleration not whether the paddle is pulled. It may be that if you're driving in standard regeneration mode the brake lights don't come on. But if you are driving in enhanced regeneration aka one pedal mode then by regulation they have to come on.

 

[Ladogaboy]

You sure about this? Other reports say it is like ELR. Uses a deceleration sensor.

Yes, this has been my experience. If you are in L and going any appreciable speed, the brake lights will come on when you take your foot off the accelerator. I've even had the brake lights come on going down hill when my foot was still lightly pressing the accelerator.

 

[wainair]

Yes, this has been my experience. If you are in L and going any appreciable speed, the brake lights will come on when you take your foot off the accelerator. I've even had the brake lights come on going down hill when my foot was still lightly pressing the accelerator.

I stand corrected. I couldn't see if the lights were on I was just quoting the gentleman who was guiding the test drive. He was doing 6 or 7 different makes of cars so he may have been confused!

 

[Ladogaboy]

I stand corrected. I couldn't see if the lights were on I was just quoting the gentleman who was guiding the test drive. He was doing 6 or 7 different makes of cars so he may have been confused!

It's possible. If all of your driving is done during the daytime, you might not notice the brake lights coming on. Otherwise, you'd actually need a friend following you to know.

 

[Steverino]

I agree on several points:

The car does have more an economy interior compared to to the Volt (Gen 1 or 2)
The light gray leather seems to get and look dirty, I'd avoid them.
There is plenty of headroom front and rear for tall people.

I'm glad you were able to take a test drive. I'm sure it helps boost sales.

The Chevy marketing brain trust chose not to have test drives in Chicago because you can't order one here until May. Such stupidity. If Chevy engineers were at the same skill level as Chevy marketing the Bolt would be a three seat 60 mile EV with no radio. Chevy Marketing is an oxymoron.

 

[wainair]

I was surprised that there were test drives too but they were organized by a local EV Advocacy group and not the manufacturers. I was really glad they were there with 2 Bolts!! They also had a Volt an i3 a Leaf and 3 more I can't remember. These are all pretty rare cars on dealer lots so it was a great opportunity to try them out!!

 

[wainair]

The local EV group is www.plugndrive.ca . Props to them for organizing the test drives!!