
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV will launch before the end of 2016 with no direct competitors.
To equal its 238-mile range, even the cheapest Tesla Model S costs $70,000 and up.
That gets you a larger, undeniably sleeker and sexier luxury sedan with a liftgate.
But in the $30,000 to $45,000 range, the aging Nissan Leaf remains the world's best-selling electric car.
In its sixth year, however, its graphic displays are primitive, and it tops out at 107 miles of range.
The Kia Soul EV is larger inside than the Leaf, but it's only available in a handful of states as yet, and it too is in the 100-mile category.
The updated BMW i3 has a 114-mile range, though you can boost that to 180 miles if you get the optional gasoline-powered range extender.
Finally, just for showroom floor comparison, the Chevy Sonic subcompact hatchback has less room inside than the Bolt EV, for about half the price similarly equipped—but it has a gasoline engine, so electric-car shoppers will ignore it.
Get FREE Dealer Quotes
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quick Specs | |||||
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV could become the first mainstream electric car, with a 238-mile range and a base price in the high $30,000s before incentives. |
The BMW i3 is a technological and stylistic tour de force—yet like any technology, it's nearing its sell-by date. |
The 2017 Chevrolet Sonic gets some safety and feature improvements, and should continue to score big on refinement and driving fun. | The 2017 Kia Soul EV offers more space for people and cargo than many other small battery-electric cars, but you can only buy it in limited regions and it's no longer top of the non-Tesla range list. |
Eclipsed by the Chevrolet Bolt EV's 200-mile-plus range, the Nissan Leaf is best enjoyed with the substantial discounts dealers are eager to offer. |
The 2017 Tesla Model S is unlike any other car on the road for several reasons—good and bad. |
MSRP From | |||||
$36,620 | $42,400 | $15,145 | $32,250 | $30,680 | $68,000 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
24 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | |||||
Engine | |||||
Electric | Electric | Gas I4 | Electric | Electric | Electric |
EPA Class | |||||
Small Station Wagon | Subcompact Cars | Compact Cars | Small Station Wagon | Mid-Size Cars | Large Cars |
Style Name | |||||
5-Door HB LT | 60 Ah | 4-Door Sedan Manual LS | EV-e Automatic | S Hatchback | 60 RWD *Ltd Avail* |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front wheel drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
4 | N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Hatchback | Hatchback | Sedan | Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback |
Transmission | |||||
NA | Automatic | Manual | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. 2017 BMW i3 | 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. 2017 Chevrolet Sonic | 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. 2017 Kia Soul EV | 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. 2017 Nissan Leaf | 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. 2017 Tesla Model S |