The first generation Volt came out in 2017 and was about as exciting as the Toyota Prius In other words, not so much But it was the first affordable electric car for those of us on a limited budget This year, Chevrolet has improved on this model and issued this "EUV" version, an electric utility vehicle The car remains a very capable commuter, offering a 250-mile range while adding more legroom and a sleeker design

The new Bolt EUV is also the first Chevrolet to feature GM's semi-automatic driving option, Super Cruise This has been available on Cadillacs before (and is promised for the Hummer EV coming later this year), but it shows GM's commitment to technology that can drive more than 200,000 miles of road without the use of hands (and feet)

The Bolt EUV is not a cheap compact car, it has a lot of cutting-edge technology inside and could make our best electric cars list Here's everything you need to know about the Chevrolet Bolt EUV 2022

The Bolt EUV will arrive sometime this summer with only one powertrain; GM has yet to offer an exact release date However, the EUV will start at $33,995 (including destination charge) and will include additional options such as a Super Cruise system While all option prices have yet to be announced, a Premier Edition including rear camera view and adaptive cruise control will be available for $38,495

All $100 reservations for this model have also been filled However, if you fill out a form indicating your interest in the Bolt EUV at Chevrolet, you will be contacted by a dealer near you when it becomes available

While it may look similar to the standard Volt, the new EUV actually has a unique metal skin It has a slightly more aggressive nose, is about 2 inches taller and 6 inches longer than the Bolt, and comes standard with LED headlights The slightly larger size doesn't mean more actual storage, but it does increase rear legroom by 3 inches, making it a more practical family car

No word yet on color choices or trims, but we can expect GM to provide a list of these options soon (We have already seen the Bolt EUV in blue, white, silver, and red)

Inside the Bolt EUV, we see that it is equipped with the latest infotainment and driver assistance technology: a 102-inch diagonal infotainment touch screen and integrated climate controls The infotainment system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and comes standard with a wireless charging pad under the screen; an 8-inch LCD instrument cluster provides information to the driver ahead; and a 102-inch diagonal touchscreen with integrated climate control is standard

Other amenities in the Bolt EUV include a panoramic sunroof and heated and ventilated front seats And then there's Cadillac's proprietary option that we really like It's a rearview mirror that is actually an LCD screen and allows you to see behind the car using a video camera Even if a friend or family member in the back seat completely blocks the rear window, there is always an unobstructed view The car also comes standard with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as pedestrian braking and lane-keeping assist Not bad for a small car

On highways and public roads, the most complete and best semi-autonomous driver assistance is still Super Cruise, and GM has decided to introduce this option in the Chevrolet brand of the Bolt EUV It uses pre-scanned, high-resolution rider maps and the car's onboard cameras and radar sensors to navigate more than 200,000 miles of roads in the United States and Canada

Unlike systems from BMW, Tesla, and Volvo, there is no need to take your hands off the wheel However, you do not need to take your eyes off the road Note that Super Cruise is available on the Bolt EUV, but not on the regular Bolt, which is reason enough to choose the EUV

Most mid-level EVs these days boast a range of 200 miles or more on a single charge, so the Bolt EUV's 250-mile range is not to be outdone It uses a 64 kWh lithium-ion battery and comes with a cable for an ordinary household 120-volt plug in case of an emergency It is normally expected to use a household Level 2 charger, which will fully charge the battery in approximately 7 hours

According to GM, a commonly available fast DC charger can charge up to 100 miles in about 30 minutes If this doesn't sound like a big deal, you're right The limiting factor is the car charger, which cannot accept the highest speed power flow available from such a high-speed station on the street

As for performance, the Bold EUV will only be available in one single-motor, front-wheel drive version This is unfortunate for those who are considering replacing their Subaru, for example, or other small UTEs that can be driven on winter or country roads Still, the Bolt EUV's motor delivers 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque As such, it should be able to achieve a 0-60 mph time of about 7 seconds

For those who want to maximize their range on a single charge, there are adjustable regenerative brakes and a convenient button for one-pedal driving (using regenerative braking to come to a complete stop and using that energy to extend the battery's range)

Find a public charging spot; GM has partnered with a network that lists EVgo and ChargePoint The company also has an app, myChevrolet, that helps Volt owners plan routes and find charging stations

Competition for the Bolt EUV includes the Tesla Model 3 and the highly regarded Hyundai Kona Electric Tesla's Model 3 leads the market, but is considerably more expensive Starting at $36,490 with a range of 263 miles, prices skyrocket when you start adding options And those who want more driver assistance will find that Tesla's Autopilot is not as good as GM's Super Cruise

Like the Bolt EUV, the Hyundai Kona Electric is a front-wheel drive EV At first glance it appears expensive at $38,575, but with a $7,500 tax credit, it is actually less expensive than the Bolt EUV (Tesla no longer qualifies for the tax credit) The Kona's range is also slightly better at 258 miles Undeniably, the Kona Electric is fun to drive, but lacks many of the technology options GM offers, such as Super Cruise and video rearview mirrors

GM has been in the small car EV market for several years and is well known and reliable; building on the 2017 Volt and offering cutting-edge technology makes the Bolt EUV even more attractive Video rearview mirror options, Super Cruise, and full connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay just sweeten the deal We'll bring you a review when we get a chance behind the wheel of the new car