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Here's a few questions for those who have gone from 2017-2021 to a 2022+ (more specifically premier vs. 2lt)

1. Is interior quality that much better after a few months of ownership? Less creaks and rattles specifically? The scratchy dash of my 2017 is so bad...
2. I love the rearview mirror camera in my 2017... sad it's only available for EUV. What else do you miss from the older version?
3. What else have you noticed that the newer version has that the old doesn't besides power seat and ACC?
4. I don't think the old seats are that bad... are the new seats quite good?

I have sat in an EUV and was able to look inside an EV, but couldn't sit or touch because it was already sold...

 

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The second generation Bolts are vastly improved and in a multitude of ways. I won’t even be able to get to the detail stuff, but I will answer your immediate questions and a few more that you didn’t ask.

1) The overall fit and finish is much nicer in my opinion. Higher quality of finish and particularly the dash. I didn’t have a squeaky interior in the earlier years, and I still don’t. I haven’t experienced creaking or rattling in any location or any other condition than an extremely washboard road that will make anything rattle.

2) I have an EUV premier, so I don’t miss anything. I never cared about the unlocking buttons on the rear doors, so I don’t miss them at all, and I can’t think of anything else that is now gone. I absolutely don’t miss the old shifter and the idiocy of trying to get it into car wash mode. I was initially surprised by how the regen setting also works in reverse, but quickly got used to it. The EUV doesn’t have any aluminum doors or hood, so they feel heavier, but they are actually more traditional in the way they close. They somehow made the EUV quieter than the original EV, and that could be a part of it. I also don’t miss the much less intuitive infotainment system, and I definitely like the HVAC controls much better.

3) The seats are much better than the 2017 and a noticeable improvement over the 2020 as well. The power seats are much more adaptable and the ventilation option is extremely nice for the leather seats. I never feel damp now. The lumbar support is now adjustable, and the overall car is superior for longer trips. I have not become uncomfortable yet in the EUV. The ACC is helpful at times, but it is basically in the same category as the LKA. It only works for some situations, and I will turn it off when a road is curvy so that it doesn’t get false readings from vehicles in other lanes. I will also turn it off when traffic is variable in speed. It also doesn’t recognize that cars are coming to a stop ahead until later than I care to wait for, and then make a harder stop than I also don’t care to have happen. It is good for flat ground but uses more physical brakes than regen to keep speeds down.

4) I already covered the seats. If you like the seats in a 2017 you will find a new level of appreciation for the latest seats. The backrest on the 2017 was all wrong, and the seat bases were too soft, which meant that I could feel the bolsters with my theighs. I absolutely did not like the 2017 seats at all. I thought they should be recalled.

The EUV ride is a subtle but much smoother experience. The noise level is the cabin is lower to a very noticeable level. The general ride is softer and more refined. The “pogo stick” suspension of the EV is gone. I absolutely like the EUV better as a result, and the slightly less acceleration and handling performance is questionable for any significant reason. I actually think that the EUV feels more capable of superior handling on less smooth surfaces, as the suspension keeps the tires hooked-up better than the stiffer EV suspension. Slightly more body lean doesn’t slow anything down other than in the mind.

The new infotainment software is vastly improved. The app format is intuitive and easy to navigate. Much easier.

Did I mention that the new shifter setup is much easier to use? I can go into a car wash now without having to get out and explain to the moron controlling the conveyor to wait for my signal before he engages the thing. I actually stopped going to one particular car wash because of that problem. Now I just press the N button and it’s ready to go.

I am constantly amazed by people who trade cars every few years. I have event tee shirts over 20 years old. (I am wearing one right now, from a 1999 recumbent bike rally in DC. I have a group picture of us at that event, taken in front of the White House front gate. I could literally have hit it with a rock. How the world has changed.) I even have my original wife. Maybe if she left me, and took the Bolt, I'd get an Energica Experia MC.

I'm not for trading cars unless my needs aren't met with the current car, or if it's financially responsible. That being said, the Bolt ev fits my needs very well, if I need more space I have an SUV.

With trade in value and the possible tax rebate I can get a brand new Bolt for only a few thousand. Resale on a 2023 with 35k less miles than my 2017 will likely be a few thousand higher in a few years time. Also having a nicer interior is a plus. Can't argue with the piece of mind that a bumper to bumper warranty brings either. Financially, it makes sense to me. I don't have a payment on my current Bolt and won't on a brand new one.

 

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About all these rattles and creaks, is it common? My 17 Premier doesn't have any.

Mine is great too, unless you're on a rough road. Even worse in the cold (I live in Minnesota for cold reference).

 

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If you have a premier then you already have the great audio system, leather seats, rear heated seats etc. I have a 17 Premier and drove a friend's EUV for a week and didn't feel I actually missed much. The seats are better in the EUV but not by much. Yeah it has the newer infotainment etc but I got over the quickly.
The only thing that would have been nice on my bolt is the super cruise.
But other than that, think about what you can get g for your existing Bolt, then ask yourself if the difference is worth taking on that extra payment.

After the tax credit the difference i should get on trade vs msrp isn't much different. Especially considering the possibility of $500 ev go credit, bumper to bumper warranty, and increased resale value. Won't have a payment either, just going to pay the difference in cash.

 

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I looked at the Bolt EVs in 2017, and didn't buy one because I didn't like the finish, and the seats were uncomfortable for me.
With that said, I did buy a 2023 Bolt EV 2LT(Not EUV).
1. There are no creaks or rattles. The build quality is very good.
2. No comment on this - The rearview comes up in the center screen, and I like that. I do have the upgraded camera system that shows an overhead view all around the car. But only when in reverse of course. I don't have any clue what could be different in the 2017. But I can't imagine wanting anything more than this.
3. No idea.
4. Like I said above, I didn't like the seats in the 2017 at all. But the new seats are great. Weird I know to base my purchasing decision on how comfortable the seats are, but I didn't buy before, and I did in 2023, for that reason (amongst all the other reasons).

The gen 1 premier got a rearview mirror that was a screen that had a wide angle view behind you. Vastly improved view over standard mirror. You could toggle this on or off. This is different from backup camera/360 camera used only in reverse.

Thanks for your input though!

 

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I'm still awaiting a 2023 EV 2LT, used to have a 2018 Premier. But having compared them extensively, here are what I consider regressions (roughly in decreasing order of importance).

• No Camera-in-mirror
• No Rear door unlock buttons - if you use them, they're extremely handy
• Rear seats aren't heated.
• IMO, 2022+ rear lights design & brake functionality are worse.
• IMO, Chevy took a pretty unusable center console and somehow made it even more unusable in 2022+. I liked the original shifter and the ability to toggle between D & L, uncertain how buttons will feel. FYI - center armrest no longer moves, no tray in space under center armrest (this you can buy).
• Regen in reverse felt very weird when I tested it.
• Front console - I really like the original Bolt's white/grey colour combination & design, the new one is plain and boring.
• Same with seats colour scheme - just plain & dark.
• No roof rails.
• Apparently no led turn signals on the side mirrors.

Comparison of Old and New Bolts in my Family has a good comparison.

Things the 2022+ EV 2LT has added compared with 2017: ACC, PowerSeats, HD Rearview camera, Sticky 'L' setting, better seats.
The EUV lost me when it added 6 inches to the car for "looks" and rear seats instead of the trunk - I'm still in disbelief.

Wow, thanks for laying it out. I had found these things all from multiple sources, but like how you lay them out. I might add toyoyr list that the 2022+ gives a more premium feeling, yet muted interior, better touch screen including software/user experience, updated front end, less "chrome" (yay!). But you also lose out on the handy rear camera sprayer. Love that thing in the winter!

 

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I don't know what this means . This is a highest-trim 2017EV to highest-trim 2022+EV (not EUV) comparison as OP asked for. That's 2017 EV Premier to 2022+ EV 2LT, there is no Premier trim for the 2022+ EV.


Indeed. Agree with more premium feeling and probably touch screen experience. Personally, I like chrome, and prefer the quirky interior over the muted one. I didn't know the rear camera sprayer was gone, that'll be missed!

I guess i was just assuming the rear camera sprayer is gone since the rear view mirror camera is ditched. I honestly am still on the fence about trading in. Perhaps if I find a gen 1 less than $25k I could do a swap and take the tax credit. We'll see...

 

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You are correct - I didn't notice the EV to EV, I thought you were comparing to the EUV.

I wasn't very clear on that so I updated the title. I am not interested in an EUV.

 

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I'm upgrading from a 2017 Premier to an EUV Premier tomorrow, and was in the same situation of trying to decide between the 2LT or Premier due to the cost difference. The only real sacrifice would have been the surround view camera and sound system, but I couldn't bring myself to swap back to a simple backup camera after years with surround view. It really does come in handy in so many difference scenarios, namely my tight driveway and when in drive throughs or getting into tight parking spaces. If this is a deal breaker for you, bite the bullet and go with the Premier. You won't regret it. If you think that is superfluous or can be happy with backup only, then go the 2LT route and save yourself some dough. I will say that the few thousand dollars made very little different on the balance sheet after rebates, trade in, and other offers I found. And I truly cannot wait to get my sunroof back. I didn't think I would miss it that much, but the light, openness and ventilation that a sunroof provides is something I value much more than I thought!

I think you're confusing the trim levels of Bolt EV and EUV. Ev is 1LT and 2LT. EUV is LT and Premier. I'm looking/taking about EV, not EUV.

 

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UPDATE: So not the best news but my local dealer has tried to get an allocation for a regular EV but can't. They do have an allocation for an EUV that they can get me. If i'm getting an EUV i'd want it fully spec'd (minus supercruise). Not really thrilled about a $4k addition just for a few more features and interior room (less range to boot). However, we may have an infant in a year or two so i'm not sure if having a little more room in our commuter car would be worth the $4k (have full size range rover if we need the room anyway).

My other thought/option is if used Bolt prices keep falling to under $25k we could trade our 2017 for a similar Bolt and take advantage of the used tax credit. Not sure what the best solution is.

 

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Have you tested an EUV yet? It's a night/day improvement over my 17 Premier EV. Yes, the EV is also improved, but I fell in love with my EUV the day I got behind the wheel. The higher seating height, sunroof, and more backseat room are very nice. Mine is also fully loaded except for Super Cruise. It is the spec I would recommend. My advice: bite the bullet and get your EUV. You won't regret it. Don't forget, full EV tax credit right now! It'll likely be reduced in half by March. That's $3750 to pay for the EUV premium (as long as you have the tax liability to offset the credit).

The tax credit is the main reason I want to upgrade now along with trade values being so high. I am afraid you're opinion is right for me as well, as much as I don't want to spend the extra $. I was under the impression that the tax credit leniency was through March not just until March. Can anyone confirm?

If you like a high seating position I couldn't recommend our 2012 Range Rover, or any Rangie enough. I honestly feel like the king of the road driving it.

 

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UPDATE: I'm fuming... Monday the dealer informed me that the EV allocation didn't go through, but they did have an EUV which I told him in an email that will have to do given the situation and asked how to proceed. He told me to meet on Friday morning to which I responded I would rather come in sooner because I had some weekdays off. He said no that Friday is better... Ooookay! Sit down with the salesman and am informed that someone else has a deposit on the EUV. JACKARSES! They are fully aware of how I feel about this move. Screwed me out of the full tax rebate. He proceeds to ask me what options I want for when they do get an allocation to which I respond I told you last November what I want, does noone communicate around here?! So ridiculous...

 

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Wow I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I was surprised, but dealers will do what dealers will do. They have only one thing in mind: First person with cash. Loyalty and service are things of the past I fear. I know of a dealer in St Louis that has a ton of Bolt EVs, but they're base models from a fleet purchase that didn't go through. Not sure you'd want one without the bells and whistles though.

Sure wouldn't unfortunately. Thanks though!