Overview & Reviews

The Chevrolet Volt represents a voyage into uncharted waters for both General Motors and automakers in general. A so-called plug-in hybrid, the front-wheel-drive Volt is a four-door, four-seat hatchback that's motivated primarily by an electric motor good for about 40 miles of range. That's enough to get most people to work and back. Should you need to go farther, a gasoline-powered engine is aboard (it acts as a generator) to extend the car's range by as much as 300 miles and essentially turn the Volt into a regular hybrid.

Truly, the Volt represents a glimpse into the future of automotive propulsion. For those with a short commute, the concept makes a lot of sense, while the car's gasoline-powered engine gives it a notable range advantage over all-electric cars like Nissan's Leaf. Moreover, with potentially hefty government tax rebates plus a $5,000 price cut for 2014, a new Volt is more attainable than ever, with used values likely to drop accordingly. We encourage early adopters to give the innovative Volt a chance.

Current Chevrolet Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is essentially a plug-in hybrid, meaning it has the ability to run much faster and farther under electric power alone than a normal hybrid. In the Volt's case, this means up to 100 mph and anywhere from 25-50 miles without using a drop of gasoline.

Once you run out of battery juice, the gasoline-powered inline-4 engine kicks in, producing electricity for the motor and actually powering the wheels in some circumstances, stretching the Volt's range by as much as an additional 300 miles. A "Hold" feature lets you choose when to bring gas power online, allowing all-electric mode to be saved for opportune stretches.

The electric motor is rated at 149 horsepower (111 kilowatts) and 273 pound-feet of torque. Drive force is sent to the front wheels through a specialized planetary gearset.

Standard feature highlights include keyless ignition/entry, automatic climate control, a split-folding rear seatback, a six-speaker sound system and GM's MyLink system that includes Bluetooth streaming audio, voice controls and enhanced smartphone integration. Major options include low-emissions equipment so it can qualify for HOV lane access (certain states only), a rearview camera, leather upholstery, heated front seats, lane departure warning, a navigation system and a Bose sound system. Volt owners can monitor the car's status and set charging times through an online Web portal or a mobile phone app.

In our reviews, we've found that the Chevrolet Volt has satisfying zip at low speeds thanks to its electric motor, which offers abundant torque. Although the Volt corners surprisingly well due to its low center of gravity, the overall driving experience is as bland as one would expect from a car designed to maximize energy efficiency. But the Volt certainly isn't a laggard, and overall performance is similar to what you'd get from a normal four-cylinder-equipped family sedan. Acceleration is the same whether or not the gas engine is in use, but there is a noticeable (though not really objectionable) increase in noise.

Inside, the Chevy Volt features a unique dashboard layout that's part spaceship, part iPod -- and pretty darn cool. There's a high-tech gauge readout behind the steering wheel and a swoopy center stack that looks like an oversized high-end electronic device. Unfortunately, the touch-activated "buttons" can be difficult to pick out at a glance, and sometimes don't respond on first press. This is definitely an instance of form over function.

The rear seat is adequate for two average-sized adults, but there's no middle seat thanks to the T-shaped battery pack, which occupies this slot as well as part of the trunk. Cargo capacity is limited due to the Volt's rakish roof line and that hefty battery pack, though the rear seatbacks do fold down.

Used Chevrolet Volt Models
The Chevrolet Volt debuted for 2011. In this first model year it came standard with navigation and the Bose sound system; they became options the following year. Note that these early Volts had a potential battery fire issue after a particularly severe side crash. As such, you'll want to make sure any early 2011 Volt has received the needed fix.

Changes have been mostly minor since, though the 2011 and '12 Volts lack the optional low-emissions equipment and lane departure and collision warning systems found on the current model. Likewise, the "Hold" mode wasn't introduced until 2013.

User Reviews:

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  The Best of All Worlds - 2016 Chevrolet Volt
  By Drake - April 3 - 8:38 pm

  Ive had my eye on the Volts for years - as an idea, it was extremely compelling, but the execution was (for obvious reasons) very first generation. When Chevy refined the design for the second generation I was cautiously optimistic, and Im happy to say that it has exceeded my every expectation. No, it is not a car for everyone - the technology that makes the Volt work is still costly, so the price is still a bit higher than more traditional vehicles of a similar size. Its also on the smaller side for a sedan, though not at all uncomfortable for my family (my wife and six-month old in his large carseat fit just fine). You can get EV-only vehicles with longer electric range, of course, and while its performance is respectable, you can get more raw power from some other vehicles within its price range. But while other vehicles may outperform in one area or another, there are none that offer quite the same perfect blend or attention to detail that Chevrolet has executed here. The electric range is more than sufficient for the majority of trips, the charging is easy, and the gas generator (which is seamless and very quiet) is not only fuel efficient but gives it fantastic real-world driving range and none of the range anxiety than youd get with a typical hybrid or gas-powered car. Whats more, while it may not be a performance powerhouse, the car accelerates and brakes well, the handling is enjoyable, and the ride is comfortable. You dont always get all of that in these efficiency-first vehicles, so its very much appreciated. Being a new father, safety is a huge priority for me, and the Volts are safe vehicles - especially with the addition of the Driver Confidence packages, which add sensors for the usual bevy of warning and assist technologies. But beyond that, LEDs and wraparound lighting give it great visibility for other drivers and the headlamps are nice and bright without being obnoxious. I havent had a chance to see the IntelliBeam automatic high-beams in action yet, but its a nice touch and will no doubt prove useful provided it works well. Really though, the attention to detail and extra touches to add value are what seal the deal. There are many options to make the remote start and passive lock/unlock system conform to your needs and preferences, which adds a lot of convenience. You can also adjust the charging to help save more money with location and time-based charging preferences, and you can monitor charging status with the OnStar app. Speaking of OnStar, the three years of the top-level plan included free certainly doesnt hurt the value proposition, adding that much more safety, security, and convenience for no cost. On a less practical but no less appreciated note, everything on the car just seems very carefully and attentively designed, from sportier exterior and easy-to-open-and-close hatch to the subtle ambient lighting (with more pronounced lighting available as an option) to the layout of the dash to the quick and responsive touchscreen to the various sounds the car makes in operation (startup, shutdown, electronic brake, etc). It bears mentioning that my dealers service department, who are always honest and whom I have a very good relationship with, have nothing but positive things to say about the first generations reliability and longevity, and the second generation looks to improve upon that formula. Its all just very well-put-together, and with the rebates ($9000 off the one I purchased, after government tax credit and before dealer discount) it is an extremely compelling vehicle in every way that the previous model was, and many more ways that the outgoing design wasnt. This is my fourth car and third new car purchase within the past three years, and far and away the best of the pack.

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  Great technology all electric with gas back up - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By Kenneth Champlin - February 26 - 8:26 am

  Car is great runs on electric only but if you run out of juice it has a gas engine as back up The back seat is a little tight for tall people but other than that. I have no complaints

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  Much Better Than Expected - 2015 Chevrolet Volt
  By Ricky Moore - September 28 - 11:41 am

  First US - Build car since 1987. Great ride, very comfortable, good vision just a little tight vision from the rear like most cars, mirrors take care of that problem. Smooth shifting, no interior noise , very quick acceleration and braking. Handles well and sticks to the road, very predictable where its heading. Instrumentation is logical and easy to reach while driving. Could use additional glovebox./storage. Rear seating may be a little tight for larger adults, front seats have massive room and great headroom.

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  My second Volt - 2016 Chevrolet Volt
  By Ben Tafoya - July 16 - 4:55 pm

  Upgrades from 2013 to 2016 model. Ride is even better as is handling. Not wild about the new display software and I hope to get used to it. The Massachusetts incentive ($2500) makes it a very attractive buy/lease.

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  One year review with second Volt - 2015 Chevrolet Volt
  By Brian - May 23 - 9:15 am

  This is my second Volt after owning a red 2012 Volt for 3 and a half years, 50K miles, and no issues. The 2015 is almost identical, everything works as expected. Some people dont like the capacitive buttons on the dash, but I dont mind, they wear very well. The car itself wears very well, maintains its appearance as long as you give it proper attention. Like most people, I usually go over a thousand miles on a tank of gas, most of the time more. My work location has a charging station so no additional cost in electricity at home, nice perk. If you are worried about reliability, dont be, the car goes forever, battery will probably last over 200K miles, and electric motor I read is good for 600K miles. Safety is also top notch (5 stars).

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  Im a Believer - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By KM - April 21 - 10:23 pm

  I bought my Volt used with 50,000 miles on it. (Look at the Lifetime mileage-- that will tell you how often the engine has been used by MPG.) My car only had 40mpg in its lifetime so the engine has lots of hours on it. I didnt really care though as I have a 120 mile commute every day. The resale value sucks on them but that means I bought a great used car for cheap! The first thing that struck me test driving it was how solid it feels. It really feels like a tank but it handles super tight. Interior materials feel to be of good quality (leather is thick, covers the whole seat unlike some other companies *coughdodgecough*, and dash panels are solid and fit together tightly). It is also of course silent when in Normal mode and the generator is relatively quiet when it runs (I only use it on the highway which drowns out engine noise with road noise anyway); its still quieter and smoother than a 4-cylinder. I get about 55mpg in my daily commute and use electric only on weekends when I dont drive far. The increase in my electric bill has been about $10/month. The back seat is cramped but I dont have passengers much. The car also came with the Bose sound system and it sounds fantastic (unlike the POS stock speakers GM insists on using). Ill never know why they opt for a $2 speaker when they could easily eat the cost of a $20 one. Anyway, my biggest gripe is the user interface on the center stack and dash. Its an absolute mess, the biggest clusterf of UX/UI design I have ever seen. Its super dated looking and just vomits information at the driver. The graphics look straight out of 2002. I love access to tons of info on how my car is running, but sheesh. Otherwise, the Volt has been great, super reliable, and a blast to drive especially in Sport mode. My mother in law drove mine and bought one for herself. Be like my mother in law. Drive a Volt.

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  My review after 3 years of ownership - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By Jason - August 6 - 2:49 am

  I purchased my 2013 Volt Premium off lease with 14k miles. Then drove it 85% of the time in electric mode for over 3 years to 65k miles. During this time, the ONLY issue was a passenger seat airbag. This car was super reliable and from reading on GM volt forums was “over built”. Meaning GM could not afford to let this car fail. I have since sold the volt and thinking of purchasing a newer generation or Bolt. I feel confident in GM battery technology and from what I have researched these cars are designed to handle 100,000 charge cycles. At 38-40 miles per charge = 380-400k miles on these batteries. Love the comfort of this car, could be quicker. Tight handling and smooth driving car.

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  20 year Toyota/Lexus buyer converted by the VOLT. - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By Ben Alexander - March 30 - 1:34 am

  This car is the future, and the future is pretty great.

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  There is nothing to not like - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By R ivey - February 14 - 2:30 am

  Every fellow Volt owner I have ever talked to loves their car. Additionally I drive for several months without stopping for gas

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  Really happy we went for the Volt - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By Yolanda - October 21 - 5:03 pm

  I bought a used 2013 Volt 3 months ago and drive it every day for errands, running the kids around, etc. Im super happy with how it works as far as the electric charging, hybrid engine etc. The way it charges is just as advertised. The time to charge is spot-on for the different amperages. At a full charge it shows a 38 mile range on electric (EDIT: that was in the winter; in summer its 48-50 miles). When its cold out (30s) it shows about 33 miles. It also runs the engine for about the first 5 minutes "due to temperature," so it does use a little gas when its cold out (< a gallon). Also when its cold I have to run the heater to be comfortable, which decreases the electric range even more. Thats no big deal though, just sharing my experiences with cold weather in case anyones curious. As far as driving it, I test-drove a Prius and a Leaf to compare, and enjoyed driving the Volt the most. The visibility is fine. The pickup is totally sufficient. The switchover from electric to gas is unnoticeable. The only thing that bugs me about this car is the design of the center stack, which has the climate, music, and other controls. I find it to be unnecessarily involved and not intuitive. After 3 months I still have to look kind of closely in order to do what I want, and it seems to take too many button presses to accomplish what I need, which is too bad when youre also driving the car. The only problem Ive had with it so far is on one drive, the screen wouldnt turn on (so no climate or music). Looking online, I see this is an occasional problem with the Volt, and can often be solved by turning the car off and on again, though thats the one and only time it has happened to me so far (Edit: after 10 months, this has never happened again). Anyway, in summary, Id highly recommend the car for someone who wants to use electricity to power their car but also wants the flexibility of having a backup engine, and a compact car. EDIT Aug 2017: Weve now owned the car for 10 months. Still love using/driving it. We had to take it in to the shop because of a brake fluid leak, to the tune of $1,600, which was annoying. According to the internet its something that happens to Volts here and there. Id owned Hondas for years before the Volt and almost never had to take them in to be repaired. I was expecting/dreading something like this with an American car. Anyway, hopefully we dont get repair bills like this too often.