That pretty much sums it up. For me it's the Jetta
2023 Chevrolet Bolt vs. 2023 Volkswagen Jetta Sport Comparison Test
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LINK - Car and Driver
David Beard, published May 19, 2023
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David Beard, published May 19, 2023
Car and Driver said:We humans aren't keen on being told how to live our lives. We like to do what we want when we want. And that's what the automobile has provided since its early days: the ability to travel freely. Like so many car buyers, though, we feel the pressure to at least consider the purchase of a tailpipe-free automobile. Within the next decade, shoppers looking to buy a new or secondhand car will face quite possibly the toughest automotive choice of their lives: whether to go internal combustion or electric.
Car and Driver said:The difference between the Bolt and the Jetta amounts to a lifestyle choice. For urban dwellers, particularly those who just want a seamless behind-the-wheel experience and can charge at home, the Bolt hits the nail on the head and just might be all the EV most people need. But if you want one, you'll have to act soon, as Chevy announced that it's going to stop building them by the end of 2023. If distance driving is your thing, a little soul is something you value, and you live life more on your own terms, then the Jetta is the perfect package.
We know what we'd choose.
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Not hard VDub. Twice on Sunday. I would prefer a Civic Sport manual or CVT hatch or sedan it doesn’t matter.
That is the contender against the Envista Avenir in about 4 years. Civic Sport or Envista. Once the old Poncho gets old enough the replacements will not be as grand. Obviously.
That is the contender against the Envista Avenir in about 4 years. Civic Sport or Envista. Once the old Poncho gets old enough the replacements will not be as grand. Obviously.
Why was I thinking it was announced the Jetta was dead/would be next year?
I'd still take the VW over the Bolt. While I like the Bolt... and the lil white one the nephew has, the VW would be much more practical for my everyday life and its occasional spur of the moment jaunts on just a quick fill up and gone.
Bolt vs. Jetta: 3600 vs 3000 curb weight, 20% heavier and smaller on the outside but =/> interior volume, this illustrates the efficiency of hatchbacks. But to me refueling/re-energizing is right up there. AND, a Soul-sized car that weighs almost as much as a 2020 Impala. Yes, you pay a price for lektrik. A fatter car is a less agile car.
I'd take the sedan, but it would probably be an Elantra, not a Jetta. I loved my '99 Golf TDi but it had problems, Houston. In the shop three times for power windows or power door locks. Huh? But that's the past. I'd still take less weight and more convenient fueling.
FWIW, TDi ran about the same MPG as the Jetta, but it was nowhere as quick, to put it mildly.
I'd take the sedan, but it would probably be an Elantra, not a Jetta. I loved my '99 Golf TDi but it had problems, Houston. In the shop three times for power windows or power door locks. Huh? But that's the past. I'd still take less weight and more convenient fueling.
FWIW, TDi ran about the same MPG as the Jetta, but it was nowhere as quick, to put it mildly.
If I was replacing my Sonic (one vehicle) I’d go Jetta. If I was keeping my Sonic (two vehicles) for weekend stick fun I’d go Bolt for around-town hatch practicality.
Don't know why the reasons they used to justify their choice of the Jetta couldn't apply to the Bolt for some people. C'mon C&D, just come out and say it, you want an ICE car, there's no shame in that. hahahaha
As I have a GTI, I'd take the Bolt out of these two. Leaves more gas money for the GTI. If I was choosing my only car? Hmmmm. I'll have to think about it. Actually, no, the hubby has a Bolt EUV, and we have a gas car for longer trips (even though the Bolt can do them, too) so I'd have to take the Jetta, I guess, as we already have the other one.
As I have a GTI, I'd take the Bolt out of these two. Leaves more gas money for the GTI. If I was choosing my only car? Hmmmm. I'll have to think about it. Actually, no, the hubby has a Bolt EUV, and we have a gas car for longer trips (even though the Bolt can do them, too) so I'd have to take the Jetta, I guess, as we already have the other one.
Does VW still use the plastic water pump? I'm definitely not a fan if it uses that pump....they were prone to failure. I'd take the Bolt.
I swapped mine out for the aluminum one, the plastic one popped at about 128,00 miles.Does VW still use the plastic water pump? I'm definitely not a fan if it uses that pump....they were prone to failure. I'd take the Bolt.
Nice! I've always been a fan of VW GTI. Ideally, the Car and Driver comparison test linked in the OP should have been between 2023 Chevy Bolt 2LT (just like the one C&D tested, MSRP $32,180) and 2023 VW GTI S 6MT (MSRP $31,625).As I have a GTI, I'd take the Bolt out of these two.
As a current Bolt owner and a former Mk5 GTI owner (the latter for only a few weeks), I've always considered the car to be GM's best answer to the template VW established with the GTI - a car that melds practicality and driving enjoyment.
So, how's the Bolt? Do you find reasons to stop at the gas station, "just because"? lol I love my GTI, too. Fun when it needs to be, a mini-wagon when I need that, too.Nice! I've always been a fan of VW GTI. Ideally, the Car and Driver comparison test linked in the OP should have been between 2023 Chevy Bolt 2LT (just like the one C&D tested, MSRP $32,180) and 2023 VW GTI S 6MT (MSRP $31,625).
As a current Bolt owner and a former Mk5 GTI owner (the latter for only a few weeks), I've always considered the car to be GM's best answer to the template VW established with the GTI - a car that melds practicality and driving enjoyment.
Love it! Bolt is the perfect urban/suburban runabout for people who have Level 2 charging capability at home. My wife uses the Bolt to commute to her job at Baptist Memorial Hospital DeSoto, and we both use it occasionally for trips to Walmart, Lowe's, Conn's, etc. Bolt's additional interior room compared to the 2015 Chevy Spark EV we owned previously is very welcome; the "mini-wagon" capability is fantastic.So, how's the Bolt? Do you find reasons to stop at the gas station, "just because"? lol I love my GTI, too. Fun when it needs to be, a mini-wagon when I need that, too.
And Bolt has the best combination of agility and excellent ride quality of any car we've ever owned - better than my BMW F30, better than the Mk5 GTI, better than the Spark EV.
Yes, I have to admit that my GTI hits a little hard on certain bumps/terrain. The previous owner did lower it a bit so I have no idea how a stock one rides. Our Bolt EUV rides really well and although I'm not used to the high driving position (compared to my GTI), it seems to corner pretty well. One of the reasons I love hatches is the versatility and they both do very well for their smallish size.Love it! Bolt is the perfect urban/suburban runabout for people who have Level 2 charging capability at home. My wife uses the Bolt to commute to her job at Baptist Memorial Hospital DeSoto, and we both use it occasionally for trips to Walmart, Lowe's, Conn's, etc. Bolt's additional interior room compared to the 2015 Chevy Spark EV we owned previously is very welcome; the "mini-wagon" capability is fantastic.
And Bolt has the best combination of agility and excellent ride quality of any car we've ever owned - better than my BMW F30, better than the Mk5 GTI, better than the Spark EV.
Honestly, if they sold the regular Golf here still, it's a more direct comparison, the Jetta has a fanny pack.
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