Kia Seltos vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar appearance, with only slight styling changes that made its front end resemble a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. A thin slot was added behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The model continued to straddle the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV, offering a single body style for 2027. Its tall and narrow design prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty stance. The interior saw a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, with the push-button gear selector moved to the steering column for more storage space. Despite the hard plastic surfaces dominating the cabin, the Bolt maintained a budget feel with some padded touchpoints.

The 2027 Kia Seltos, available in multiple trims, offered a stylish and robust design that combined elements from the Kia EV9 and Telluride. The X-Line SX trim, in particular, stood out with its turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. Inside, the Seltos continued the EV9/Telluride theme with a panoramic display screen and quality materials. The interior was well-equipped, featuring a solid transmission shifter, SynTex artificial leather upholstery, and a robust build quality. However, the Saturn Black interior of the X-Line SX model felt dark and dreary, lacking high-contrast color options to elevate the cabin's appeal.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. Its motor, sourced from Chevy's Equinox EV, delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, achieving 0-60 mph in the low seven-second range. While this acceleration was modest by EV standards, it was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. The Bolt offered one-pedal driving with medium or high brake regeneration levels, and its firm ride was not overly stiff. The EPA estimated a range of up to 262 miles on a full charge, with a charging speed increase to 150 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% recharge in 25 minutes.

The 2027 Kia Seltos, except for the X-Line SX, came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT, producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The X-Line SX introduced a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and a torque-vectoring AWD system. The Seltos Hybrid was set to arrive in early 2027, promising impressive power and fuel economy. The X-Line SX's EPA fuel economy rating was 26 mpg combined, with a satisfying driving experience in Normal mode. The Seltos excelled in urban environments, offering easy maneuverability and visibility.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants, though taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor reducing the penalty for center-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The interior featured ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2027 Kia Seltos boasted impressive interior space, comfortably accommodating four large adults. The cargo area was practical, offering nearly as much utility as some compact crossovers. The Prestige Package added features like a "relaxation seat" mode for the driver and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was reasonably good, with door panel trays, a wireless smartphone charger, and a smart hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos offered up to 27.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. While Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, the system offered logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The Bolt's navigation system could help drivers find charging stations and precondition the battery for optimal charging rates. It also supported vehicle-to-load charging as a backup power source.

The 2027 Kia Seltos impressed with its panoramic display, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The infotainment system featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The Seltos offered a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert and a camera-based blind-spot monitor. The Prestige Package added a surround-view camera system and additional safety features. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical controls for climate and audio settings.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost.

The 2027 Kia Seltos came with a generous list of standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Seltos S trim added blind-spot monitoring and a safe-exit warning system. The Prestige Package included a camera-based blind-spot monitor, a surround-view camera system, and rear automatic braking. The Seltos demonstrated remarkable sophistication in lighter traffic with its Highway Driving Assist technology.