Chevrolet Bolt vs. Nissan Leaf, an Edmunds $30,000 EV comparison

Chevrolet Bolt vs. Nissan Leaf, an Edmunds $30,000 EV comparison weighs two of America’s most affordable electric cars, both starting around $30,000 and aimed at shoppers priced out of costlier options from Hyundai, Tesla, and Toyota. Edmunds testing compares the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt (returning after a three-year hiatus) and the 2026 Nissan Leaf, both fully redesigned. In EPA estimates, the Bolt is rated at 262 miles versus the Leaf’s 303-mile maximum. Real-world testing narrowed that gap: the Bolt traveled 290 miles and the Leaf 310 miles. Acceleration was similar, with both reaching 0–60 mph in about 7 seconds. Edmunds preferred the Bolt for driving feel and faster range recovery on public fast chargers. The Leaf, however, was favored for features and UX, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via a 12.3-inch touchscreen (upgradeable), while the Bolt uses dual 11-inch screens and Google Built-In.