2017 Chevrolet Bolt, the electric hot hatch

Chevy calls its Bolt EV a crossover. The EPA calls it a hatchback. Whatever - the Bolt rides a little higher than the average hatch and sports a racy profile.

With its short, 102.4-inch wheelbase, the Chevy Bolt feels nimble like any compact car, rotating quickly in tight switchbacks.

Snap the upscale monostable shifter in the Chevy Bolt from Drive to Low and you can drive the Bolt for miles without touching the brake.

The Chevy Bolt comes with an optional, 360-degree camera to help maneuver the car in tight spaces.

Far from the city, the Bolt's 238-mile range means no range anxiety for drivers.

The Chevy Bolt's Mosaic Black Metallic comes with a silver grille beak.

The Chevy Bolt comes in a variety of colors including Mosaic Black Metallic and Silver Ice Metallic.

The interior of the Chevy Bolt is as roomy as a Golf or Chevy Cruze hatchback - and as useful.

Far from the city, the Bolt's 238-mile range means no range anxiety for drivers.

For $40k, the Chevy Bolt's white plastic interior trim is not class competitive with, say, a VW Golf R or Tesla Model 3.

The Chevy Bolt records miles traveled - and battery used - during Henry Payne's L.A. day out.

For all its cabin space, the Bolt’s biggest liability next to its competitive hatch set is its interior decor. Outfitted in full leather with carbon fiver and chrome accents, my preferred, manual Golf R funbox lists for $36k. Bolt doesn’t don leather until the top, $42k Premium trim.

Without an engine up front, the Chevy Bolt is free to expand its cabin forward.

The Detroit News' auto critic Henry Payne whipped the Chevy Bolt hard over 96 miles of California terrain.

The left gauge on the digital instrument panel indicates range at your current driving style - and an upper or lower range if you drive harder or slower.

With its 60kWh of battery in the basement, the Chevy Bolt is nimble on back roads.