Differences Between 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV & 2019 Nissan Leaf

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The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt has significantly advanced the electric vehicle class, mostly in the areas of driving range and standard features. Its design is functional, and the interior is nicely proportioned. This hatchback-style five-door will appeal to all who want an everyday commuter that is enjoyable to drive, handles superbly, and goes quite a distance between charges.

The 2019 Nissan Leaf is a worthy competitor, having similar exterior lines and a nice set of standard high-tech features. However, the Plus model, highly anticipated because of its upgrades, is still unavailable at most dealerships. The Leaf base trim falls a bit short of the Bolt EV in several areas, most noticeably performance and interior function practicality. Those in the market for a mid-size hatchback that runs on batteries alone will want to inspect these two models closely. The Bolt appears to be the winner.

Performance

The 2019 Bolt EV is truly enjoyable to drive. It has precise steering that responds so quickly it amazes all who take it for a test drive. It's nimble around curves in the road, and it accelerates faster than other electric vehicles, going from a full stop to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. There's no gear shifting because it's a single-gear transmission. Power is sent from the 60-kWh battery to the electric motor, and the motor delivers a total of 200 horsepower. There's plenty of torque as well. The Bolt EV can go 238 miles between charges. On the other hand, the 2019 Nissan Leaf has a 147-horsepower electric motor, and it has a range of only 150 miles. Even if a charging station is used, it takes nearly eight hours to fully charge the Leaf, something that will put off many potential buyers.

Interior

The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV isn't designed as a luxury vehicle, and there's nothing plush and expensive about the interior. However, soft-touch surfaces abound, and the front seating area is enormous. The vehicle's roofline is nearly horizontal, and this means plenty of headroom in the rear seating area. Only two trim levels are offered, but shoppers will find that the base model is quite nicely appointed. The cloth upholstery is of good quality, and the forward controls are very easy to navigate. The 10.2-inch screen display is a great selling point. A six-speaker stereo system is standard on the base trim, but the Premier comes with a seven-speaker Bose system. All of the desired high-tech stuff comes standard on both trims. These include smartphone app integration, Bluetooth, OnStar, a rearview camera, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Options include rear USB ports and DC rapid charging capability. The 2019 Nissan Leaf is available in three different trims, but the base model is pretty bare-bones. A height-adjustable driver's seat and automatic climate control are standard, but the screen display is disappointingly small. Also, the driver's seat is mounted pretty high above the floor. Some drivers will have difficulty finding a comfortable setting.

Utility

The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV is filled with pockets, cubbies, and compartments. The rear seats fold flat, and that opens up plenty of cargo space. The available cargo floor panel cover can be removed to load in bulky items. Large rear-facing child seats can be fitted with ease. The 2019 Nissan Leaf doesn't come with flat-folding rear seats, so the cargo bay volume can't be increased to any great degree. Also, there's a serious lack of storage pockets and cupholders up front.

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The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a good investment because of its long list of standard features and significant tax break on the purchase price. Check it out today at JW Chevrolet, and take it for a test drive to see how it compares favorably to the Nissan Leaf.