Tesla Model 3 Vs. Chevy Bolt: Media Roundup

Credit: Tesla

Single center screen punctuates the Model 3's minimalist interior.

The Model 3 arrived with great fanfare on July 28. Both the tech and car media immediately drew comparisons between the lower-cost Tesla and Chevy Bolt, despite being very different cars,

It's an inevitable comparison because, as Automotive News said: Both "fall in the same price category and mileage range [and] despite the fact that Tesla enthusiasts and Chevy owners have vastly different demographics, the cars compete on the smallest of details and specs."

Note: At bottom, I'm including a chart I did a couple of weeks ago (since updated).

Consumer Reports: Bolt beats Tesla 75D on range.Consumer Reports focuses on bang-for-the-buck battery range. The headline shouts: "Chevrolet Bolt Sets Consumer Reports' Electric-Vehicle Range Record." The subhead: "This affordable electric hatchback runs for 250 miles, beating all other models we've tested."

In our electric-vehicle range test, we put the Bolt head to head against our 2016 Tesla Model S 75D. The Tesla ran out of juice at 235 miles, while the Bolt motored on for another 15 miles...Tesla has upgraded the Model X 90D to a longer-range 100D. A new Tesla Model S or X 100D would probably beat the Bolt's range, but you'd have to pay $100,000 or more for one of those cars. CR has not yet tested the range on those versions.
And when it comes to price, you could just about buy two Bolt EVs (starting at $37,495, including $875 for the destination fee) for the price of that Tesla Model S 75D (which starts at $75,700, including destination and documentation fees).
--Consumer Reports

Brooke Crothers

Chevy Bolt.

Automotive News: Model 3 add-ons add up. "Tesla buyers are expecting their new Model 3s to come with a whole host of cool technology such as self-driving features and other widgets to wow their friends," said Automotive News. "But to get those options, customers will have to pay about $14,000 more. For the vast majority of buyers looking to get in on the most-hyped features of the Model 3, the car will cost nearly $50,000." The Automotive News post includes a detailed comparison chart.

CNET:Size, interior. "The Model 3 is a fair bit larger than the Bolt EV in nearly every direction. Its wheelbase is more than 10 inches longer, and its overall length is 20.8 inches longer than the Chevrolet. It's also about 3 inches wider. The Bolt EV wins the height category, though, as it's 6 inches taller than the Tesla," said CNET.

"The Tesla Model 3 wins in front legroom, front and rear shoulder room as well as front and rear hip room. Without its expensive glass roof, it has 0.1 inch less front headroom than the Bolt EV. Add that roof in, though, and you get another 0.7 inch of space for your noggin...The Bolt EV wins on rear headroom (by 0.2 inch) and rear legroom (by 1.3 inches). It's also packing more storage capacity, at 16.9 cubic feet versus Tesla's 15 cubic feet."

The Verge: Early Model 3 orders pricey. "[Tesla] claims that in order to quickly ramp up production, it needs to focus on the longer range (310-mile) battery first. It’s also requiring people who want those first deliveries to add on the premium trim package. So if you are one of the early Model 3 reservation holders and you want your car as soon as possible, you’re going to have to pay at least $49,000."

"The Bolt is a great middle ground, and is available now, though it doesn’t come with the same kind of luxury touch that Tesla is known for," The Verge said.

The Verge also has an extensive chart.

Finally, my own (simple) chart that has been updated:

Tesla Model 3 Chevy Bolt
Charging	Tesla's vast Supercharging network / 130 miles in 30 min.	Spotty DC fast-charging stations (1) / 90 miles in 30 min.
Range	215 miles	238 miles
Passenger Capacity/Cargo Space	5 passengers / 15 cubic feet	5 passengers / 17 c. feet
Performance	Zero to 60 mph under 6 seconds / top speed 130 mph	Zero to 60 in less than 6.5 seconds / top speed 91 mph
Safety	N/A (2)	IIHS Top Safety Pick (3)
Autonomous driving	Necessary hardware	Not available currently
Buying Experience	Good	Fair (4)
Warranty	4-year, 50,000-mile vehicle warranty(5)	3 years or 36,000 miles
Availability	2018 (in volume)	Now
Starting Price	$35,000	$37,495 but hefty discounts

(1) In Los Angeles (where I live) and surrounding areas, DC fast-charging from vendors like EVgo is a mixed bag: the fast-charge experience is smooth and pretty much works as advertised but fast-charging stations can be few and far between -- even in greater Los Angeles county, which includes places like Lancaster and Palmdale.

(2) At the handover event on July 28, Tesla claimed a side-by-side safety rating that is higher than the Volvo S60, a vehicle with a 5-star safety rating.

(3) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

(4) Good to bad: Can vary dramatically based on dealer and salesperson.

(5) Tesla base battery warranty is 8-year, 100,000-miles. The long-range battery has 120,000 mile warranty. The Bolt EV also has a battery warranty of 8 years, 100,000 miles.

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