Compare the2026 Kia EV6VS 2027 Chevrolet Bolt

Both the EV6 and Bolt have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The EV6 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Bolt’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Kia EV6 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Bolt doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia EV6 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Chevrolet Bolt has not been tested.

The EV6 Long Range has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Bolt doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the EV6 and the Bolt have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The EV6 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bolt’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV6 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Chevrolet covers the Bolt. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Bolt ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 7 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

The EV6 Light Standard Range’s standard electric motor produces 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 169) than the Bolt’s electric motor. The EV6 Long Range’s standard electric motor produces 15 more horsepower (225 vs. 210) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 169) than the Bolt’s electric motor. The EV6 Long Range’s optional electric motors produces 110 more horsepower (320 vs. 210) and 277 lbs.-ft. more torque (446 vs. 169) than the Bolt’s electric motor.

The EV6 can travel longer on a full charge than the Bolt on a full charge:

			Miles
EV6
	RWD	Long Range Electric Motor	319 miles
	AWD	19" Wheels Electric Motors	295 miles
		20" Wheels Electric Motors	270 miles
Bolt
	FWD	Electric Motor	262 miles

The EV6 has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Bolt doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the EV6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bolt:

	EV6	Bolt
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12.8 inches	10 inches

For better traction, the EV6 has larger standard tires than the Bolt (235/55R19 vs. 215/50R17). The EV6 GT-Line e-AWD’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bolt (255/45R20 vs. 215/50R17).

The EV6 GT-Line e-AWD’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bolt’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EV6 has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Bolt. The EV6 GT-Line e-AWD offers optional 20-inch wheels.

For superior ride and handling, the Kia EV6 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Bolt has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The EV6 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the EV6 flat and controlled during cornering. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV6’s wheelbase is 8.9 inches longer than on the Bolt (114.2 inches vs. 105.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV6 is 4.6 inches wider in the front and 5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Bolt.

The EV6 has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Bolt (103 vs. 96.6).

The EV6 has 3.6 inches more front hip room, 3.2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 3.1 inches more rear hip room and 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bolt.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EV6’s rear seats recline. The Bolt’s rear seats don’t recline.

The EV6 has a much larger cargo volume than the Bolt with its rear seat up (24.4 vs. 16.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the EV6 easier. The EV6’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the Bolt’s liftover is 30.4 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the EV6’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Bolt doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the EV6 Wind/GT-Line’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The EV6’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Bolt doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The EV6 offers up to a 2300 lbs. towing capacity. The Bolt has no towing capacity.

When two different drivers share the EV6 Wind/GT-Line/GT, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Bolt doesn’t offer a memory system.

The EV6 Light/Wind/GT-Line’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bolt doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The EV6 GT-Line has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bolt doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The EV6 GT-Line’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Bolt’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The EV6’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bolt’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

When the EV6 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bolt’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Kia EV6 and Chevrolet Bolt offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The EV6 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Bolt’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The EV6 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bolt. The EV6 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bolt.

The EV6’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Bolt doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia EV6 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Bolt.

The EV6 GT-Line’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Bolt doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The EV6 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Bolt has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV6 as the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Bolt has never been chosen.