How safe is the Chevrolet Bolt?
Drivers of the 2017–2020 Chevrolet Bolt died at a rate of 8 per million registered vehicle years, 77% lower than the average of 38 for all vehicles. That makes it one of the safest vehicles on the road for its driver: it ranks 22nd of 127 vehicles, safer than 83% of them, whether they're small cars, SUVs, pickups or minivans.
This is the most recent IIHS data for this model, covering 2017–2020 models. It doesn't appear in the newer 2023 study, often because it was redesigned or discontinued.
Where the Chevrolet Bolt sits among all 127 vehicles
Chevrolet Bolt (bar is the 95% range)Every other ranked vehicleDashed line: average of 38
The rate is based on plenty of data, so this ranking is reliable.
Vehicles ranked near the Chevrolet Bolt
These are the vehicles just above and below it on the all-class ranking. Notice they aren't all the same type: the ranking compares every vehicle against every other one. Ranks use each rate after adjusting for how much data is behind it, so a rate of 0 from a few vehicles can rank below a slightly higher rate from many. Why.
| Rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Lexus RX 450h 4WDLuxury SUV · Midsize | 7 | 85 |
| 20 | Ford EdgeSUV · Midsize | 8 | 85 |
| 21 | Lexus NX 300Luxury SUV · Midsize | 8 | 84 |
| 22 | Chevrolet BoltCar · Small | 8 | 83 |
| 23 | Chevrolet TraverseSUV · Midsize | 9 | 83 |
| 24 | Honda PilotSUV · Midsize | 9 | 82 |
| 25 | GMC AcadiaSUV · Midsize | 10 | 81 |
How it compares with other cars
Among the 30 cars ranked, the Chevrolet Bolt is 1st. The safest cars are below. See all cars.
| Cars rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet BoltCar · Small | 8 | 83 |
| 2 | Toyota Camry hybridCar · Midsize | 19 | 68 |
| 3 | Toyota Prius PrimeCar · Small | 23 | 60 |
| 4 | Ford Fusion hybridCar · Midsize | 25 | 53 |
| 5 | Subaru WRXCar · Small | 38 | 40 |
Common questions
Is the Chevrolet Bolt a safe vehicle?
By real-world driver deaths, the Chevrolet Bolt is one of the safest vehicles on the road for its driver. Its driver death rate of 8 per million registered vehicle years is 77% lower than the average, and it ranks 22nd of 127 vehicles across all classes.
How does the Chevrolet Bolt compare with other cars?
It ranks 1st of 30 cars. It's the safest car in the ranking.
Why is this different from the Chevrolet Bolt's crash-test rating?
Crash-test stars only compare vehicles of similar size and weight, so a 5-star small car and a 5-star SUV aren't equally safe. This ranking uses real-world driver death rates, which can be compared across every class.
* Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. A registered vehicle year is one vehicle registered for one year.