Lexus NX vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2026 Lexus NX maintained a fresh appearance despite being a few years into its second generation. Its design elements, such as the chunky fenders, integrated LED daytime running lights, and the spindle grille, were well-integrated, offering a balanced look that was neither as classic as the Genesis GV70 nor as awkward as the Audi Q5. The design team at Lexus refined the existing design, ensuring that elements like the big grille and LED DRLs appeared intentional rather than added for visual impact. The NX was available in various trims, including the non-hybrid NX 350, hybrid NX 350h, and plug-in hybrid NX 450h+, with the F Sport Handling grade adding sporty features like adaptive dampers and black 20-inch wheels. However, the base NX 350's interior didn't quite meet luxury expectations, feeling similar to high-end Toyota RAV4 versions, despite the sport seats and aluminum pedals.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt returned with a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt straddled 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, with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, but the RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching. Despite the abundance of hard plastics, the Bolt provided adequate space and comfort for passengers.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered a variety of powertrain options, but the standard hardware in the NX 350 F Sport test car was underwhelming. It featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The engine, related to the one in the Toyota Tacoma, felt more suited for a pickup truck, with a coarse exhaust note and a lack of urgency in revving. Lexus claimed a 6.6-second zero to 60 mph time, but the sluggish transmission made this difficult to achieve. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models seemed more promising on paper, with the NX 350h generating 240 hp and the NX 450h+ offering 304 hp. However, the indifferent chassis tuning and firm dampers in the F Sport Handling upgrade resulted in uncomfortable ride quality and an unengaging driving experience.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. A new motor from Chevy's Equinox EV delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with a 0-60 mph time similar to the previous Bolt EV, in the low seven-second range. While this acceleration might seem slow 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, though it could be jumpy at low speeds. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt was agile on curvy roads due to its low center of gravity. The 2027 Bolt had an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles, a 15-mile improvement over its predecessor, and featured a Tesla-derived NACS charge port with increased charging speed.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered competitive passenger space among compact luxury SUVs but had some compromises. Rear-seat headroom was comparable to rivals like the Acura RDX and Audi Q5, but legroom was slightly less. Front-seat legroom was closer to the Audi and Mercedes, though the Acura offered more. The front seats felt constrained, with limited headroom and hindered outward visibility due to the deep dashboard and large mirrors. The F Sport Handling spec included sport seats with extra bolstering, which were comfortable but unnecessary given the NX's performance. Cargo space measured 22.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, trailing most competitors. The NX's 2,000-pound towing capacity was also below class-leading figures.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel, but the rear seats offered plenty of headroom and thigh support. The flat floor reduced the penalty for center-seat passengers. The Bolt could hold up to 16.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, which was small for the class but sufficient for most users. A large bin under the floor and easy-to-reach release latches for the rear seatbacks added to its practicality. While there was no frunk, the Bolt provided ample storage for personal items, with a large bin, floor tray, and deep center armrest bin.

The 2026 Lexus NX came standard with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen on base and Premium trims, while a 14-inch display was optional on the Premium grade and standard on higher trims. All models featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and six USB ports. Additional tech features required data connectivity packages, with free trials available. The 14-inch touchscreen was well-placed but had room for improvement, with awkward touch sliders for fan speed adjustment. The voice recognition system could adjust temperature but not set specific temperatures or switch SiriusXM stations. The instrument cluster presented information efficiently, though it resembled analog displays from the 1990s.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, shared with the Chevy Colorado. The infotainment system ran on a Google-based operating system, lacking Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto support. Pairing a phone via Bluetooth allowed access to personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and sharp graphics. The Bolt's navigation system could locate charging stations and precondition the battery for optimal charging rates. It also offered vehicle-to-load charging, serving as a backup power source for a home.

The 2026 Lexus NX was equipped with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and more. Additional driver-assist features were available, such as park assist and a 360-degree camera system. The NX received a 2025 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, missing the highest Top Safety Pick+ award due to an "Acceptable" score in the moderate overlap front crash test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not yet published 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, digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost.