The 2021 Chevy Bolt Just Killed the 2021 Porsche Taycan on Consumer Reports
Y’all don’t need me to tell you that the EV segment is ramping up quickly. Only five years ago, EVs were seen as a success if they could go over a couple hundred miles and manage to find a charger that could get you back on the road within 24 hrs. Tesla has clearly laid the path, but now we have luxurious sports car EVs like the 2021 Porsche Taycan and more practical offerings like the 2021 Chevy Bolt.
Consumer Reports has finally tested enough EVs to start getting a better overall picture of the segment. And that picture shows the 2021 Chevy Bolt Killing the 2021 Porsche Taycan.
Consumer Reports picks the 2021 Chevy Bolt over the 2021 Porsche Taycan
Consumer Reports is nothing if not consistent. They seem to consistently prefer safety, reliability, and comfort over anything else. However, it is still a bit shocking to see the 2021 Chevy Bolt receive an overall score of 78/100, while the 2021 Porsche Taycan only got a 63/100. It may seem crazy, but CR always shows their work.
Is the 2021 Chevy Bolt a good car?
Right off the bat, Consumer Reports gave the Chevy Bolt a 5/5 on predicted reliability. Its reliability will carry it a long way here, especially when you consider the 2021 Porsche Taycan scored a 2 / 5 on reliability. Predicted owner satisfaction, noise suppression, and fuel economy (obviously) all landed strong scores. The 2021 Chevy Bolt is hitting all the Consumer Reports notes.
The Chevy Bolt unseated the Tesla as the go-to EV a few years ago by giving a 200-mile range for far less than Tesla’s $70,000 price tag. The 2021 Chevy Bolt might look a bit spartan and boring, but its 200 hp electric motor delivers snappy, guilt-free torque, making for a surprisingly fun driving experience.
Like the 2021 Porsche Taycan, the Bolt may surprise you with its planted cornering and tight handling. But that’s not really what the Chevy Bolt is about.
You will need a 240-Volt connector to charge the Bolt and, thanks to its long 250-plus-mile range, it can take up to 10 hours to charge from empty. Though the charge time shouldn’t bother too many drivers, the Bolt seems to aim more at the city-commuter type, making a full charge every day less necessary. Charging costs will vary depending on geography, but on a national average of 12 cents per kWh, running the Bolt equates to a low 3.3 cents per mile.
It should come as no surprise that the $36,500 (starting price) Chevy Bolt isn’t the most beautiful and comfortable interior ever made. CR describes the interior as “modern” but “cheap and flimsy.”
Is the 2021 Porsche Taycan a good car?
Its low predicted reliability score is a real killer here. However, the 2021 Porsche Taycan makes up some ground for being one of the more thrilling EVs on the market. The Porsche Taycan’s performance scores are all green across the board. The Porsche Taycan is an undeniably exciting car that will help consumers get more excited about the segment as a whole. But is it better than the 2021 Chevy Bolt?
The downside of all that exciting EV power is a relatively low range and long charging times. The 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S’s EPA-rated range is 227 miles; the lowest-rated Tesla Model S – the Taycan’s biggest competitor – is currently 348 miles. This isn’t that bad compared to the Bolt, but the Porsche Taycan starts at nearly double the highest trim-level Chevy Bolt at $79,900. The top trim can run up to a whopping $187,600.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan still a Porsche
Although the 2021 Porsche Taycan is more of a sports car than a luxury car, Porsche still builds the interior to meet the Porsche expectation. Through the car, Porsche’s quality and reputation are shown in spades. That being said, it isn’t plush or showy in any way. In fact, the interior really drives home the sports car pedigree with no fancy materials like wood or fancy leather stitching.
Even though the Taycan can be a rude sports car, it is still supremely quiet and surprisingly comfortable. The suspension feels confusingly soft for handling road imperfections but also plenty stiff enough to rip through the corners and remain flat and composed, as any Porsche should.
The 2021 Porsche Taycan might be more fun but the 2021 Chevy Bolt is the better all-around car
Consumer Reports is confident in their assessment of the Chevy Bolt, not only great for its price but great, period. The Bolt evened the playing field, allowing more people to participate in the EV wave by keeping prices reasonable. The 2021 Taycan is also a key part of EV progress by offering something for enthusiasts. This should help EVs have a greater reach and bring some much-needed buzz to the segment.
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