Tesla Model 3 vs. Chevy Bolt: Which One Wins?

Key Points

• The Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Bolt are popular electric vehicles that are becoming more affordable and realistic options for the average person.
• The Tesla Model 3 has a longer range per charge compared to the Chevy Bolt, with up to 272 miles versus 259 miles.
• The Chevy Bolt has faster charge times, gaining up to 200 miles on an hour charge compared to the Tesla 3’s 44 miles on a 60-minute charge.
• The Tesla Model 3 excels in performance and power, with better horsepower and faster acceleration, while the Chevy Bolt offers better technology and connectivity options.

Many vehicles are contending for the top spot in the electric vehicle world, including the Tesla 3 and Chevy Bolt. The Tesla Model 3 and the Chevy Bolt are great electric vehicles for the average driver. Both are well-built and reliable.

Electric vehicles have come a long way. Once a far-off dream for many consumers, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, with new options on the market daily. This makes the comparison between the Chevy Bolt vs. Tesla 3 even more compelling. These vehicles are becoming more affordable, with faster charge times and longer miles per charge, making them a more realistic and available vehicle choice for the average person.

But which is better? Let’s break down the key differences and find out.

Tesla Model 3 vs. Chevy Bolt: Side-by-Side Comparison 

Many factors affect whether a car is the right fit for you and your lifestyle. We often compare price, horsepower, and acceleration, but we must also consider range per charge and charge time when comparing electric vehicles.

For the Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Bolt, let’s break down each car into a side-by-side comparison to see how the two compare. 

Tesla Model 3 vs. Chevy Bolt: What’s the Difference? 

The brand name could be a factor when considering the Tesla Model 3 vs. Chevy Bolt. When it comes to electric vehicles, Tesla is often the first name one thinks of, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have an edge on the competition. However, General Motors, the owner of Chevrolet, created their first electric vehicle in 1996, so they aren’t inexperienced in manufacturing electric cars. In fact, Tesla didn’t release their first EV until 2008, so in terms of experience, Chevy might have the edge.

Now, when discussing the Tesla Model 3 and the Chevy Bolt, a few other factors are crucial to discuss to compare the two effectively. These factors include technology, style and comfort, price, reliability, performance and power, and safety. Let’s look at each in more detail to see which vehicle wins in each category and which will win overall in a head-to-head competition. 

Technology 

Technology is becoming the way of life and is finding a way into our vehicles. Both the Tesla 3 and the Chevy Bolt have touchscreen displays on which one can control the car’s features and multimedia systems. The Chevy Bolt’s infotainment systems are compatible with both Apple and Android, but strangely enough, the Tesla 3’s system is not.

Also, the Tesla 3 does not come with AM radio or SiriusXM satellite radio abilities. Therefore, technology goes to the Chevy Bolt due to its phone connectivity and radio options versatility.

Range

Tesla 3 wins when it comes to range. Tesla’s third model EV can travel up to 272 miles on a full charge while the Chevy Bolt only gets 259. That’s only a distance of 13 miles, but over time, that distance adds up significantly.

Additionally, batteries start to lose their charge little by little with years of use. So that distance disparity could grow depending on the age of the vehicle and its use.

Style and Comfort 

Style and comfort may be among the most critical factors when comparing vehicles, especially for individuals who spend a lot of time in their cars. The Chevy Bolt has a luxurious interior, with General Motors replacing the classic gear shifter with a set of buttons and switches, and the back seat is comfortable enough for two adults. However, the Chevy Bolt’s cargo capacity is smaller, with only 16.6 cubic feet available, although you can increase the truck and storage capacity by putting the back seat down. 

That said, Tesla will not be outmatched in style and comfort. The Tesla 3 seats five comfortably with faux leather seats and a touchscreen navigation screen featuring Wi-Fi capabilities. Tesla gave their electric vehicle a large cargo capacity of 19.8 cubic feet. So, for style and comfort, we’d choose Tesla for its grand interior style, comfort, and fantastic cargo capacity.  

Price 

Both the Tesla 3 and the Chevy Bolt are in the upper $20,000 range, so the difference between the two is not drastic. But the Tesla 3 comes in at just over $29,000, whereas the Chevy Bolt is priced at a little over $27,000. So, the Chevy Bolt is slightly less expensive when comparing the two vehicles. Therefore, the price goes to the Chevy Bolt. 

Tax Credit Eligibility

Currently, owners of the Tesla Model 3 can apply for a tax credit of up to $7500. However, Tesla recently announced that the credit would be reduced starting in 2024. That means if you want to take advantage of the best price for your Tesla 3, you’ll want to buy it before December 31, 2023. 

The Chevrolet Bolt also boasts a tax credit of up to $7500. Chevy also warns its customers that the credit is subject to change at any time, although they haven’t announced any changes as of yet. Keep in mind that it’s a federal tax credit, so if they’re reducing the credit amount for Tesla starting in 2024, they’re likely reducing it for all EVs.

Reliability and Charge

When discussing electric vehicles, the most essential reliability is getting to and from destinations. The battery is a significant factor in successful round trips without getting stranded. A few key elements must be compared when looking at the performance and efficiency of a rechargeable battery. First, the range per charge is an essential factor. The Tesla 3 can drive up to 272 miles per charge, but the Chevy Bolt only gets 259. 

Charge speed is another factor, and the Chevy Bolt can gain up to 200 miles on an hour charge, which is almost five times faster than the Tesla 3, which only gets up to 44 miles on a 60-minute charge.

Therefore, reliability and charge power could arguably go to the Chevy Bolt because although the Tesla wins in overall miles per charge, the difference is less than 20 miles. Still, the Chevy Bolt charges much faster than the Tesla, making it easier to charge your car on the go and safely return without running out of juice.

Performance and Power 

The Chevy Bolt is a four-wheel drive vehicle, but the Tesla 3 is only rear-wheel drive. Although rear-wheel drive is preferable to front-wheel drive, it’s generally less desirable than four-wheel drive, especially in inclement weather. But the Tesla 3 has better horsepower, at 283 hp, compared to Chevy Bolt’s 200 hp. 

Although essentially tied at this point, the tiebreaker is the acceleration. The Tesla 3 can go from 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds, but the Chevy Bolt takes 6.5 seconds. Tesla 3 wins performance and power.

Safety 

Neither Tesla nor Chevy spared any expense in safety features. Besides the standard safety features, the Tesla 3 includes lane, collision avoidance, and speed assist along with a cabin camera.

The Chevy Bolt also welcomes today’s standard safety features and has automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, and lane departure warnings. 

Although comparing the safety features makes this competition challenging and leaves things at a tie, the real decision-maker and tiebreaker is the overall safety rating. The Tesla 3 received the 2022 top safety pick, which gives the Tesla 3 the win in the safety category compared to the Chevy Bolt.

Tesla Model 3 vs. Chevy Bolt: 5 Must-Know Facts 

• The Tesla 3 can be purchased in the Basic, Performance, and Long Range models with varying starting prices from $29,740 for the Basic to $42,740 for the Performance. 
• The Chevy Bolt’s battery is under the seat, allowing the passenger to sit up higher and giving the illusion of more space. 
• The Tesla 3 has two motors that efficiently control the torque in the front and rear wheels. If one goes out, the driver switches to the other motor and keeps driving.
• The Tesla 3 comes with an optional autopilot feature.
• The Chevy Bolt has the option for a dual-level charge cord, making it easy to use a 120- and 240-volt power supply when charging the battery.

Tesla Model 3 vs. Chevy Bolt: Which One Is Best?

The Tesla Model 3 and the Chevy Bolt are both fantastic electric vehicles. Although similarly priced, the Tesla Model 3 provides better safety ratings, has a more luxurious interior, and is generally the preferred choice when comparing performance and speed.

On the other hand, the Chevy Bolt has better battery charging speeds, and its technology is better equipped to connect with your smartphones or devices, which is a great convenience today.

In our assessment, the Chevy Bolt wins this competition because of the comfort of connectivity, the battery, and the slightly lower price. 

Of course, choosing an electric vehicle is largely a personal choice, and you may come up with your own conclusions. Based on the information we’ve provided, which would you choose, the Tesla 3 or Chevy Bolt?

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Teddy Leung/Shutterstock.com.