2017 Chevrolet Bolt
While last year saw Tesla attract plenty of press and hoopla over their compact Model 3, it is still months away from hitting the streets. But, what has already been hitting the streets for months now, is the Chevrolet Bolt EV. It does just about everything the Model 3 promises, for a whole lot less money. Score one for the bowtie boys!
We’re sure you’ve already heard plenty about this 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV from us and others, but this is the first chance we’ve had to spend an extended amount of time with one.
As you probably also know, the Bolt EV is the first to achieve the “EV holy grail” of traveling over 200-miles on a single charge and cost under 30-grand, with federal incentives of course.
The Bolt EV uses a 60kWh battery pack from LG that weighs 946-lbs. It powers a 150kW high capacity electric motor with a robust 266 lb-ft. of torque.
Range is rated at 238-miles; that’s further than any EV not made by Tesla. The Bolt EV earns a 119-Combined MPGe rating, and a near perfect Energy Impact Score, burning just 0.2-barrels of oil annually with no CO2 emissions.
Both the batteries and the motor are liquid-cooled, and can bolt this EV to 60 in just 6.5-seconds. That’s about as fast as a Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe. But to make sure you don’t get too crazy, top speed is limited to 92 miles-per-hour.
And, if you’ve replaced your “range anxiety” with “battery anxiety”, just relax. Like most EVs and hybrids, the battery pack is covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.
You’ll probably want a Level 2, 240 Volt charger at home to juice it up, however. With that, it takes about 9-hours to fully charge; verses the almost 60 with standard 120. Even faster Level 3 charging is an option.
Setting aside the environmental benefits, as we’ve learned the more time we spend in the Bolt EV, it really is a great everyday car.
Unlike many subcompacts, it never feels underpowered. In fact it’s enormously peppy off the line, even throwing you back in your seat. It does settle down as you get up to speed, while providing more than enough capability, and is even mildly sporty in corners.
You can also play with regen braking, dialing up enough to barely have to touch the brake pedal in normal driving.
Overall, the interior is great, with fit and finish among the best from GM, though the piano white trim can cause some glares and reflections on sunny days. The front seating positions are also higher than a typical compact car.
There’s plenty of head and leg room for the rear seat too, and it really can accommodate three across. Even then, there’s ample cargo space at 16.9 cu-ft. That’s more than many subcompact crossovers. For more, the seatbacks fold almost completely flat.
It even has that small crossover look, with no obvious EV elements whatsoever. Being fully “in the now”, Chevy not only applied the “floating roof” treatment to the rear pillars, but to the front ones as well.
And, wherever we went, the Bolt EV attracted quite a bit of attention. We even got a few thumbs up from petrol drivers.
On that under 30G price, once you factor in $7,500 worth of federal tax credits, you’re left with $29,995. State credits may lower it more. Up level Premier trim, with heated leather seats front and rear, and a host of other niceties, can be yours for $34,280.
The bad news for some, is that the Bolt EV isn’t available everywhere yet. That will take till the end of summer, and even then not all Chevy dealers will have made the upgrades required to sell and service it. Also, looking at it from a pure penny pinching standpoint, many 40 MPG subcompact cars are available for much less money.
So, while it’s impossible to predict success of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, as fuel prices more than anything else will ultimately make or break its fortunes, it’s easy to recognize when the game has been changed. It may not offer the performance or cache of a Tesla, but the Bolt EV has clearly set a new standard for mass market electric vehicles; a real car that can be used by just about everybody, every day. In other words, the future has arrived, and it’s built in Detroit.
Specifications
- Torque: 266 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds
- Energy Impact: 0.2 barrels of oil/yr
2025 Buick Enclave
Buick’s Biggest Utility Gets More Premium Look, Less Premium Powertrain
Buick is now an all SUV brand with the three-row Enclave sitting at the top of their lineup. And for this all-new third generation, it looks like Buick has finally given it the true flagship treatment it deserves. Reason enough for us to see what else new this posh performer has in store.
Don’t think of this 2025 Buick Enclave as just a new third generation of Buick’s largest three-row SUV, but more of a total reboot for a luxury segment pioneer. Part of that reinvention is swapping out the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, that has been the heart of this large crossover since it arrived on the scene for 2008, for a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
Though using two fewer cylinders, it rates 18 more horsepower at 328. The gain in torque is even greater, climbing from 266 to 326 lb-ft.
Power from a start and when tooling around town feels pretty good, but you do notice that engine working hard under the hood; there is more engine noise and it’s not as smooth as many competitors who have also made the switch to turbo-four power. Max towing rating remains at 5,000 lbs. The new standard automatic transmission loses a gear, dropping from nine to eight, a simplifying move we applaud. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option with all trims.
The Enclave rides on the same front-wheel-drive based chassis that supports the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia. It remains the most luxurious of the three, though all have made big upward strides. And that luxurious feel is very evident inside where things appear special without flaunting it. Materials are vastly improved over the last gen, especially in top Avenir trim which is the choice for most Enclave buyers.
Front seats are very comfy, well suited for long days of highway travel. It’s hard to miss the 30-inch ultra-wide display, similar to Cadillac’s. It is big, but not intimidating as operation is very logical and you can easily configure things as you want them, including bringing the nav screen up full in front of the driver.
Front seats are very comfy, well suited for long days of highway travel.
Between the seats is a very substantial console with lots of storage space and standard wireless phone charging. There is definitely room for full-size adults in all three rows of seating. Big, plush captain’s chairs with all trims for the second row; and a less plush but still comfortable three-place third row.
GM’s Super Cruise has now made it to Buick’s lineup, available as a standalone package for any trim. It remains a favorite of ours for hands-off highway cruising. Despite feeling adequately powered on the street, the Enclave’s turbo-four felt a little out of its element at our Mason Dixon Dragway test track. There was very little jump off the line, just a slow wind up to 60 of 8.0 seconds, with the quarter-mile completed in 16.0 seconds flat at 92 mph.
We could really feel the Enclave’s weight in our handling course, about 150-lbs. over last year, even with less motor under the hood. But there was very little body roll, and no excessive oversteer or understeer. In panic braking runs, there was good feel through the pedal, and solid stops from 60 averaging a fine 111 feet.
To all of our eyes, the Enclave is bigger yet much better looking than before. Now more sophisticated using Buick’s PURE philosophy which emphasizes Purity in design, Unexpected details, Refined finishes, and Exceptional execution.
With all-wheel drive, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 19 City, 24 Highway, and 21 Combined; we managed a great 24.9 mpg of Regular. That’s a slightly below average Energy Impact Score, consuming 14.2 barrels of oil yearly, with 7.0 tons of CO2 emissions.
No more Essence or Premium Enclaves, as the new gen brings new trim names along with it; the base option now being Preferred which starts at $46,395, and unless you choose white, you’ll be paying extra for all exterior colors. Just a short step from there to the Sport Touring for $48,795, and then a much bigger bounce up to Avenir at $59,395.
With so many big utes now aimed at luxury and near luxury buyers, it’s getting harder and harder for Buick to stand out. Being an all-utility brand, with one of the freshest lineups in the industry, will no doubt help. The 2025 Buick Enclave is a very stylish, well-equipped, well executed large three-row crossover that’s priced right.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 2.5-liter turbo-4
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 328
- Torque: 326 lb-ft.
- EPA: 19 City | 24 Highway | 21 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 8.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 16.0 seconds at 92 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 111 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 24.9 mpg (Regular)