General Motors’ more affordable answer to cars such as the BMW i3, the Chevrolet Bolt, has recently been tested by the IIHS, where it nabbed a Top Safety Pick rating.
The ‘eco-friendly’ hatch has earned ‘Good’ ratings in all five crashworthiness tests such as the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints.
However, despite its performance and the fact that it can be ordered with an optional front crash prevention system that earns a ‘Superior’ rating, the Chevrolet Bolt didn’t qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ rating due to its headlights, which were noted as being ‘Poor’ and said to produce excessive glare for oncoming drivers, despite providing fair to good visibility.
“To earn a Top Safety Pick award, a vehicle must have good ratings in all five crashworthiness tests and an available front crash prevention system with a superior or advanced rating. Vehicles that meet those criteria and also have good or acceptable headlights earn Top Safety Pick+”, the Institute explained.
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt carries an MSRP of $37,495, before the government incentives in states like California, Colorado, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Utah, which drop its price to $29,995. The electric hatch is capable of a total driving range of up to 238 miles (383km), on a single charge, courtesy of a 60kWh li-ion battery.
PHOTO GALLERY
