Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4 PrimeVS 2023 Chevrolet Bolt

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 Prime have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Bolt doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 Prime are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Bolt doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Rav4 Prime has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Bolt doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Rav4 Prime XSE offers optional Parking Assist with Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Bolt doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Rav4 Prime has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Bolt doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Rav4 Prime has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Bolt’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Rav4 Prime has standard rear cross-path warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Bolt.

Both the Rav4 Prime and the Bolt have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The Toyota Rav4 Prime weighs 611 to 711 pounds more than the Chevrolet Bolt. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Prime the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Bolt has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Rav4 Prime’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Bolt’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Prime for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Bolt.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4 Prime’s reliability 42 points higher than the Bolt.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chevrolet is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 20th.

Engine

The Rav4 Prime’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 102 more horsepower (302 vs. 200) than the Bolt’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Rav4 Prime is faster than the Chevrolet Bolt:

	Rav4 Prime	Bolt
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	6.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.6 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	92 MPH
Top Speed	117 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Rav4 Prime’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 622 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Bolt’s range is only 259 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 30 minutes for only a 45% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 50 hours.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Rav4 Prime’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bolt:

	Rav4 Prime	Bolt
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	10.9 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	10.4 inches

The Rav4 Prime’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bolt are solid, not vented.

The Rav4 Prime stops shorter than the Bolt:

	Rav4 Prime	Bolt
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Rav4 Prime has larger standard tires than the Bolt (225/60R18 vs. 215/50R17). The Rav4 Prime XSE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bolt (235/55R19 vs. 215/50R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 Prime SE has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Bolt. The Rav4 Prime XSE has standard 19-inch wheels.

The Rav4 Prime has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Bolt; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Rav4 Prime has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Bolt has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Rav4 Prime has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Rav4 Prime flat and controlled during cornering. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Rav4 Prime’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Bolt (105.9 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 Prime is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Bolt.

The Rav4 Prime XSE handles at .83 G’s, while the Bolt pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Rav4 Prime XSE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Bolt (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Prime SE has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Bolt (8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Rav4 Prime to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 Prime XSE’s minimum ground clearance is 2.8 inches higher than on the Bolt (8.2 vs. 5.4 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Rav4 Prime uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Bolt doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Rav4 Prime has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Bolt (98.9 vs. 93.9).

The Rav4 Prime has 3 inches more front hip room, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bolt.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4 Prime’s rear seats recline. The Bolt’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bolt with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 16.6 cubic feet). The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bolt with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 57 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 Prime easier. The Rav4 Prime’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Bolt’s liftover is 30 inches.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Prime. The Bolt doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Rav4 Prime has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the Rav4 Prime XSE, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Bolt doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Rav4 Prime has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The Bolt has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 Prime uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Bolt doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Rav4 Prime XSE, the optional memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Bolt doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Rav4 Prime XSE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bolt doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Rav4 Prime’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Bolt’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Prime the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Bolt can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Rav4 Prime has a standard locking fuel and charge port door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Bolt doesn’t offer a locking charge port.

The Rav4 Prime’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Bolt’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Rav4 Prime’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Bolt’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Rav4 Prime XSE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Bolt doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Rav4 Prime has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bolt. The Rav4 Prime also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bolt.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 Prime XSE keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bolt doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Rav4 Prime’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Bolt doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Rav4 Prime and the Bolt offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 Prime has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Bolt doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Rav4 Prime XSE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Bolt doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4 Prime, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Bolt isn't recommended.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Chevrolet Bolt by over 10 to one during 2022.