Compare the2023 Chevrolet BoltVS 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

The Chevrolet Bolt has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Bolt and the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bolt’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

The Bolt’s electric motor produces 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Bolt gets better mileage than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (131 city/109 hwy vs. 87 city/74 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Bolt gets better mileage than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (131 city/109 hwy MPGe vs. 35 city/35 hwy).

The Bolt can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 259 miles. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 33 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Bolt higher (10 out of 10) than the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid (7). This means the Bolt produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

The Bolt’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 55 series tires.

The Bolt has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the Bolt can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Bolt has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the Bolt’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Chevrolet Bolt may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 550 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

The Bolt is 1 foot, 7.1 inches shorter than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, making the Bolt easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Chevrolet Bolt amounts to more than styling. The Bolt has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is lower than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Bolt get better fuel mileage.

The Bolt has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Bolt’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

Insurance will cost less for the Bolt owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Bolt will cost $1070 to $2330 less than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Bolt will be $2808 to $7256 less than for the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

The Bolt was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2017. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Bolt as the 2017 North American Car of the Year. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has never been chosen.