Chevrolet pulled the Bolt off the market three years ago, and plenty of drivers never stopped asking for it back. Now it’s returning for a limited 18-month production run. The sporty RS trim makes a strong case that an affordable EV can look sharp, drive well and still leave money in your pocket.
- The 2027 Bolt RS starts at $31,600 and gets 262 miles of range from a 65-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.
- A built-in NACS port and up to 150 kW charging take it from 10 to 80 percent in about 25 to 30 minutes.
- The tech and interior space impress, but the ride is firm and there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
A Budget EV That Dresses Up Nicely
The Bolt LT starts at $28,995. When the car launched, that made it the cheapest new EV on sale in the U.S., about $2,540 less than the base 2026 Nissan Leaf. The RS is mechanically identical to the LT, and you pay a little more for it to look sharper.
The body is mostly carried over from the old Bolt EUV, but the RS gets darker exterior trim, 17-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, gloss black roof rails and a different black mesh pattern on the lower front fascia. Those dark pieces make the closed-off EV nose look more like a regular car. LED headlights and taillights come standard, and a twin-bubble roof spoiler adds a sporty touch at the back. The base LT can pass for a rental car. The RS doesn’t.
The short overhangs and small footprint also make sense in the city. This little car looks like it was made for squeezing into tight parking spots and slipping through crowded traffic.
A Cabin That Puts the Good Stuff Where You’ll Touch It
The RS interior uses patterned, perforated synthetic leather with contrast stitching and RS embossing on the headrests. Ambient lighting and textured trim in the storage areas give it some personality. The dashboard, steering wheel and armrests feel soft. The door panels, the top of the dash and the sides of the center console are hard black plastic. That’s a fair trade when most of the budget goes into the battery.
The tech feels a class above the price. The 11.3-inch touchscreen runs Google built-in and responds quickly, and an 11-inch digital display sits in front of the driver. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start and single-zone automatic climate control all come standard. The one big miss is that there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and that won’t change before production ends.
Space is a strong point. Rear passengers get 36.5 inches of legroom, and the flat floor makes the middle seat usable. Cargo space measures 16.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 56.6 cubic feet with them folded. The standard safety list includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, and rear automatic braking.
Options include a dual-pane panoramic sunroof for $1,495, which is rare in a small car and makes the cabin feel much more open. There’s also a Technology Package with HD Surround Vision and wireless charging, plus GM’s Super Cruise hands-free highway system. A fully optioned RS test car came to $38,940 with the $1,395 destination charge.
How It Feels From the Driver’s Seat
With 210 horsepower and 169 lb-ft of torque, the Bolt RS gets to 60 mph in under seven seconds. Instant torque makes it feel quick away from a stop, and merging onto the highway is easy. One-pedal driving works even in Normal mode, and you can make the regen stronger or weaker on the touchscreen. Fans of the old Bolt will miss the regen paddle behind the steering wheel.
The steering is light and doesn’t tell you much, and there’s some torque steer when you put the power down. The ride is on the firm side, partly because of the RS’s bigger wheels and more aggressive tires. The cabin still feels solid and stays free of creaks over rough pavement. Super Cruise works well on mapped highways, but if most of your driving is in town, you probably don’t need to pay for it.
Charging and Range for Everyday Life
The 65-kWh LFP battery gives the Bolt an EPA-estimated 262 miles of range. The new native NACS port lets it charge at up to 150 kW, so a 10 to 80 percent stop takes about 25 to 30 minutes and adds roughly 180 miles. At home, a Level 2 charger refills an empty battery in about seven to eight hours. A standard wall outlet takes more than 50 hours, so it’s really only good for the occasional emergency top-up.
Grab a Bolt RS Before the Window Closes
The 2027 Bolt RS fits a lot into a car that starts under $32,000. You get real range, quick charging, roomy back seats and tech that feels more expensive than it is. You’ll also find some hard plastic, a stiff ride and no smartphone mirroring. If you live in or near a city and can charge at home or work, put it on your shortlist. Just don’t wait too long, because this comeback has an end date.
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