Electric vehicles are becoming much more popular than ever before as automakers roll out affordable and practical nameplates. Driving ranges are improving. Brands are working hard to lower prices and drum up demand for EVs. There are several competitive electric SUV nameplates on the market. U.S. News & World Reports named its best electric SUV of 2023 for the money. Some hardcore EV fans are skeptical about the publication’s choice.

U.S. News & World Reports is digging the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

It’s no secret that General Motors is pushing hard to compete in the electric vehicle space. The big-three automaker is rolling out several electric vehicle nameplates to compete with Ford and other automakers. Thus far, GM’s most impactful electric vehicle is the Chevy Bolt EV (for better or worse).

The Chevy Bolt EV is an electric hatchback that initially wowed the automotive world. When the Bolt debuted, it seemed that GM had produced an affordable and practical electric vehicle for average drivers. In just a few years since the Bolt hit the scene in 2016, it has become one of the most controversial EVs ever made.

Plenty of electric vehicle skeptics believe a battery electric vehicle could never be as reliable or practical as an internal combustion engine vehicle. So far, automakers have yet to prove those skeptics wrong, and the Chevy Bolt is a perfect example. General Motors had to mass recall the Bolt nameplate after the EVs became a significant fire risk. The recall cost the company over a billion dollars. Yikes.

Now that you have some context, you can see why some EV fans are skeptical of U.S. News & World Reports’ choice for the 2023 best electric SUV for the money. The Bolt EUV is the Bolt’s cousin, and LG batteries still power both EVs. General Motors has hinted at cutting ties with LG after the battery debacle. So, what gives? Why is the Chevy Bolt EUV a good choice for the money?

The 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV is extremely affordable

Reliability aside, the Bolt EUV is a steal in the eyes of many consumers because of its historically low starting price. The 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV has a starting price of $27,800, making it one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market.

Many affordable EVs have poor driving range. Chevy claims the Bolt EUV has an impressive 247 miles of driving range on a full charge. Driving range of around 220 miles has become the industry standard for affordable electric vehicles.

So, U.S. News & World Reports isn’t technically wrong when it calls the Chevrolet Bolt EUV the best electric SUV for the money. From an affordability perspective, the Bolt EUV is practically untouchable.

Should you get a 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV?

The 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV has a lot to offer. If drivers install a home charging system and don’t have exceptionally long commutes, the Bolt EUV is an attractive offer. That being said, the most critical factor in EV ownership, in the eyes of many consumers, is reliability.

Has the Bolt EUV proven itself reliable? The short answer is that the subcompact electric SUV hasn’t had enough time to be dubbed as dependable. So, the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV makes a fantastic first impression, but should first-time EV buyers get one? It’s too soon to cosign the Bolt EUV. The year 2023 could make or break the nameplate, depending on whether or not it’s recalled.