I'm skeptical of YouTube videos by those who make a living reviewing EVs. Too often, their reports don't match what the EPA numbers show or early adopters discover. But this one sounds interesting: claimed 315 mi EV range - my 2019 Tesla measured 240 mi 150 kW charge rate - my Tesla was initially 120 kW but now +170 kW right sized SUV style Should I replace my 2019 Tesla, it will be good to have choices IF the EPA numbers are like these and "SuperCruise" is at least as good as AutoPilot/FSD. A good rule of thumb, always buy the 2d or 3d model year to give the manufacturer time to correct the infantile problems. When shopping, start with the EPA numbers in Fueleconomy.gov. Not perfect but head a shoulders above there rest. Bob Wilson
i like the look of it, but it's a bit large for my needs. i think you'll find it a completely different experience than tesla, more switches and buttons vs screen commands. dealerships are an issue, and good service is spotty because not all are interested, even if they sell them. as far as gm's quality, i have to give them high marks, but i only have 5,000 miles in 11 months. idk what i would buy next, i haven't seen anything that interests me so far.
I agree with your skepticism and won't ever buy a first model year GM product. A 1981 Chevette taught that lesson. I sometimes wonder if the Chevette was sabotage by GM to spank buyers of affordable, efficient, small cars. Out of 10 possible engineering mistakes, they made 11. Bob Wilson
I hadn’t purchased a gm product in 40 years. If the bolt hadn’t been so cheap after tax credits, I still wouldn’t have purchased one. That being said, I’m pleasantly surprised. Most people over at bolt.org have had similar experiences as what we read on Prius chat
The best part is GM EVs use switches and levers, rather than menus. I had a clown back into my grill and take it out so they gave me a loaner Polestar for a week. Scrolling thru menus drove me up a wall just to make adjustments. Even the instructions on how to do things were in the center stack. I was happy as hell to get the Bolt back.
My new GM purchases were 1989, 1992, 1998, and 2003. All were better than expected, though none were really Toyota quality. I'd need a really good reason to go back to GM. A solid, proven EV in several more years might do the trick. Partly because I hate Elon, and will not buy his cars no matter how superior they seem. Partly because Tesla just seems so anti-DIYer. After 7 years, my Prius Prime has not been to a dealership or mechanic, unless you count a tire shop and a windshield shop. I prefer manual controls for most things, over menus. That's why I bought the lowest trim level of Prime, with the small screen, despite wanting a heated steering wheel only available in the top trim at the time.
I have thought about box or boxes of traditional switches and levers with a microprocessor to spoof their operation on the CAN buss. In effect, a 'gameboy' for traditionalists. It would also have simulated, driver instrument cluster, real needles and lights. Back of the envelope, about $1-2,000. Sad to say, those who can design and build such a system, is also bright enough to not want one . . . KISS rules. Bob Wilson
there's a youtube video of a guy in china who instal a row of switches in his tesla, pretty ingenious
I was a long-time GM customer, driving more than my share of them throughout the malaise era. After owning three Prii, I don't think I'll ever buy another GM. All of the GMs I've had have seriously degraded starting a little after 100k miles. They had their chance to start the EV revolution, but they took it back and crushed it. Now, it seems like they want me to buy their luxury SUV, macho pickup truck, or super testosterone-infused over-the-top macho mobile. These are the vehicles that make GM the most money, not the ones that save their customers money. EV range depends on aerodynamics. Why would they push the vehicles on me that have the worst aero? GM is not alone in this either. If I ever bought another car, I'd maybe be looking at an Ioniq 6.
after 20 years of prius driving, i tired of the engine. my first foray is the bolt. an exceptional car, no perfect, i purchased because of price. with an unlimited budget, maybe the bz4x, haven't driven one yet. i would really prefer something more prius sized, with a bit higher seating like the bolt. i too would like chevy to do some streamlining, but i realize most americans don't care.
