2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs 2021 Tesla Model 3

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

#3 in Compact Cars

2021 Tesla Model 3

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5-Door Wgn LT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Bolt EV 5-Door Wgn LT	N/A	N/A	$35,186	$36,500
Bolt EV 5-Door Wgn Premier	N/A	N/A	$40,198	$41,700

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Long Range AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Model 3 Long Range AWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$47,490
Model 3 Performance AWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$56,990
Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD	N/A	N/A	N/A	$38,490

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$35,186

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$36,500

$47,490

Monthly Payment Estimate

$608 / month

$792 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.8

Read Our Full Review

7.5

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV provides a long driving range in a flexible hatchback body for the city—but it comes up short in charm and polish.

The 2021 Tesla Model 3 remains unrivaled, as an impressive automotive amalgam of sport sedan, efficiency leader, and technology icon.

TCC Likes

Reliably long driving range
Familiar small-car driving experience
Perky powertrain

Awesome acceleration
Sport-sedan handling
Impressive driving range

TCC Dislikes

Front seats can be a deal-breaker
Fast-charging is optional
Underwhelming refinement and noise levels

Too much road noise
Touchscreen is everything
Unimpressive materials, inconsistent assembly

Fuel Economy

City

0 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

Vehicle

Number of Passenger Doors

EPA Classification

Small station wagon

Midsize Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

50.8

52.4

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

56.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

94.4

Second Head Room (in)

37.9

37.7

Second Shoulder Room (in)

52.8

Front Leg Room (in)

41.6

42.7

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

51.6

53.4

Second Leg Room (in)

36.5

35.2

Front Head Room (in)

39.7

40.3

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

59.1

62.2

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

164

184.8

Height, Overall (in)

62.8

56.8

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.1

62.2

Wheelbase (in)

102.4

113.2

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.5

72.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

16.9

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10 x - TBD -

13.2

Brake Type

Partially Regenerative Electro-Hydraulic

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11 x - TBD -

12.6

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

38.8

Steering Type

Column-Mounted Electric Pwr

Rack-Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

QBM

Front Tire Size

P215/50R17

P235/45WR18

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

QBM

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/50R17

P235/45WR18

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3563

4250

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

18 X 8.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x - TBD -

18 X 8.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

266

Engine Order Code

EN0

Displacement

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

200

Engine Type

Electric

Fuel System

Electric

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

118

134

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

108

127

Battery Range (mi)

259

353

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

127

141

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

7.05

9.00

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Tesla Model 3

Body Style

Wagon

Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

Suspension Type - Rear

Compound Crank (Torsion Beam)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Multi-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Double Wishbone

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Solid Stabilizer Bar

Double Wishbone

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

2021 Bolt EV in adequate supply; 2020s close to selling out
Lease: From $130 for 36 months
Rebates: $9,000 off for all buyers + $3,000 Costco bonus
Finance: From 0% APR for 84 months + $7,000 bonus

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2021 Tesla Model 3

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