Genesis GV80 vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was a testament to sophisticated design, offering two engine options and four trims in Canada. The top Prestige trim, featuring a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged engine, stood out with its elegant redesign. Genesis maintained its signature two horizontal bar headlights, now enhanced with a micro lens array, and a more pronounced grille. The rear changes were subtle, but the new Storr Green colour added a fresh touch. Inside, the GV80 impressed with quilted Nappa leather seats and unique interior accents, including basalt and recycled newspaper trims. The centre console, with its tactile dials, provided a satisfying user experience, although the redundant infotainment dial seemed unnecessary.

In contrast, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The EUV body style returned, offering a tall and narrow stance that prioritized utility and interior space. The interior saw a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector moved to the steering column, freeing up centre console space. Despite the hard plastic surfaces, the Bolt's cabin offered adequate comfort with thinly padded touchpoints and Evotex synthetic leather in the RS trim. The rear seating area, though dominated by hard plastics, provided ample headroom and thigh support.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 retained its powertrain options, with a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The top trim featured a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. All trims came with standard all-wheel drive, capable of sending up to 100% torque to the rear wheels. The GV80 offered a satisfying acceleration experience, with a burly sound at wide-open throttle. The adaptive suspension and Sport mode enhanced the driving experience, although the vehicle remained best suited for cruising. The brakes were firm and linear, ensuring confident stops.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt introduced a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. The new motor, sourced from Chevy's Equinox EV, delivered 210 horsepower and 169 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. The Bolt's acceleration, estimated in the low seven-second range for 0-100 km/h, was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. One-pedal driving was available, with adjustable brake regeneration levels. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt's low centre of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. The 2027 Bolt offered an improved range of up to 422 kilometres and faster charging capabilities.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 came well-equipped with features like power-adjustable heated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The top trim added four-zone climate control and ventilated seats. However, the seats were uncomfortably rigid, making long trips less enjoyable. The power-adjustable second row offered ample legroom, while the optional third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was expected to be similar to the 990 litres of the 2024 model, and the GV80 could tow up to 2,720 kilograms.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor enhancing comfort for centre-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 459 litres, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seats folded flat with the cargo floor, and the vehicle offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with dividers and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 featured a 27-inch OLED screen for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available later. The infotainment system, while visually appealing, was hindered by complex menus. Standard technology included wireless charging and four USB-C ports, with an optional 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system offering sophisticated sound quality.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added features like a surround-view camera system and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. The Bolt also offered vehicle-to-load charging capabilities.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 included advanced driver aids like lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring. Upper trims added features like remote smart parking and a 360-degree camera system. The Highway Drive Assist II system, with an attention monitor, worked well but had issues with certain sunglasses. The 2024 model received high safety ratings, and similar results were expected for the 2025 version.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not available, but it was expected to perform well based on the 2023 Bolt EUV. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added features like a surround-view camera system and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise system was available for an additional cost, offering hands-free highway driving.