Chevrolet Bolt vs. Nissan Leaf

If you’re looking for a high-powered, affordable hatchback, then the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt might be a good choice for you. This all-electric vehicle offers the signature Chevy experience with a clean carbon footprint. While it’s often compared to the Nissan Leaf, these two electric vehicles have some significant differences. Keep reading to find out more about how the Chevrolet Bolt measures up to the Nissan Leaf. It’s also important to note the Chevrolet Bolt and the Chevrolet Bolt EUV are different vehicles and we compared only the Bolt EV in this article.

Range and Charging Speeds

Image by Greg Gjerdingen | licensed with CC BY 2.0

While both of these electric vehicles require less charging than previous models, the Chevrolet Bolt’s range is significantly farther than the Nissan Leaf’s, especially in the base level trim for each car. The base-level Bolt’s 65-kWh battery gives drivers an average range of up to 259 miles per charge. The entry-level Leaf, on the other hand, has a 40-kWh battery that only provides an average of 149 miles per charge. You can level up to the SV Plus model to get a 60-kWh battery in the Leaf, which gives drivers an average of 212 miles per charge.

Even though the Chevrolet Bolt’s battery offers more power than the Leaf’s, it also charges faster, allowing drivers to get back on the road more quickly. If you charge your Bolt at home, using a Level 2 charger and 240 volts, you can reach a charge rate of 11 kW, which means you can fully charge your Bolt in 7.5 hours. It would take eight hours to fully charge a base-level Leaf’s 40-kWh battery at that rate and up to 11 hours to charge the larger 60-kWh battery in the Leaf SV Plus.

Power

The two cars feature different powertrain levels that reflect the available battery options. The Bolt has a single option, a 200-horsepower powerplant, in both the 1LT and 2LT editions of the car. The Leaf has two options, one for the 40-kWh battery and one for the 60-kWh battery. While the Bolt only has one powertrain option, it supplies the standard 65-kWh battery and provides more power than either of the Leaf’s engine options.

Trim Levels

The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV comes in two trim levels: 1LT and 2LT. The baseline model, the 1LT, comes with LED headlights and taillights, cloth seats, heated power mirrors and both an 8-inch driver information center and a 10.2-inch infotainment center, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. If you’re looking for more luxury, the 2LT offers some upgraded features and leather seating, plus standard safety features that fall into the optional category for the 1LT. Both the 1LT and 2LT come in seven color options:

• Summit White.
• Mosaic Black Metallic.
• Silver Flare Metallic.
• Nightfall Gray Metallic.
• Ice Blue Metallic.
• Bright Blue Metallic.
• Cherry Red Tintcoat.

Just like the Bolt, the 2023 Nissan Leaf has two available trim levels, the S and SV Plus. Unlike the Bolt, the two trim levels have different power output levels, while the Bolt offers both base-level and luxury trim customers the same high-powered battery. In the Leaf’s base level trim, the S, drivers get a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment center with USB connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They’ll also get cloth seats and automatic temperature control. The SV Plus edition offers more luxury and advanced technology. Both trims come in eight colors:

• Pearl White Tricoat.
• Glacier White.
• Super Black.
• Brilliant Silver Metallic.
• Gun Metallic.
• Deep Blue Pearl.
• Scarlet Ember Tintcoat.
• Two-Tone Pearl White Tricoat/Super Black.

Safety Features

Both of these electric hatchbacks offer robust safety options. At the base level, the Bolt 1LT offers a Teen Driver setting and the standard Chevy Safety Assist suite. This collection of safety features is standard across the Chevrolet line of cars, trucks, and SUVs. It includes lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and automatic braking with pedestrian detection. You can also add the Driver Confidence Package, an advanced safety suite that includes blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alerts, to the 1LT trim. This package is standard for the 2LT trim.

The base level trim for the 2023 Nissan Leaf offers blind spot monitoring, automatic braking with pedestrian detection, and lane intervention, which keeps the car stabilized within its lane when activated. A full set of airbags keeps passengers and drivers safe in the event of a collision. The upper-level trim, the Leaf SV Plus, also includes ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driving assistance program that automates the highway driving experience, enhancing driver safety.

Pricing

The Chevrolet Bolt and the Nissan Leaf both start at under $30,000 for the base trims, making them great options for budget-conscious drivers who want a fully-electric driving experience. That being said, the Bolt’s base level and premium trims are both less expensive than their Nissan counterparts. The Bolt’s MSRP for the 1LT trim starts at $26,595, and the 2LT trim will cost you $29,795. Since the 2LT comes with the full Driver Confidence Package and other optional add-ons for the 1LT, the extra $3,200 for the 2LT is a great deal.

The Nissan Leaf S has an MSRP starting at $29,135, with the SV Plus version costing $37,135. While the SV Plus does come with additional features, it’s not as noticeable of a bargain as the Bolt 2LT, which is barely more expensive than the entry trim for the Leaf. Nissan drivers might be eligible for rebates that lower the cost, but it’s overall a more expensive drive than the Bolt.

While both of these cars offer a high-tech electric experience, the Bolt has more power and a higher charge speed at a lower cost. If you have more questions about the Bolt or another Chevrolet model, contact us to speak to one of our experts. You can also browse our selection of new Chevrolets and quality used vehicles. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our vehicle finder service scours the region for the model you request and gives you the opportunity to buy your dream car at Bachman Chevrolet.