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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  Best car I have ever owned - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By joncab5 - May 13 - 2:00 pm

  I have had the car for 8 months and still have not yet visited a gas station. My commute is only 18 miles and I have charging abilities at work. My biggest surprise regarding this vehicle is the Chevy brand. I am not a snob, but my previous vehicles are Lexus, Porsche, BMW, MBZ and the more I read about the Volt the better it sounds. I then test drove one out of curiosity and was shocked at the build quality. It is outstanding. What most people dont understand is there is a timer on the internal charging system that allows it to start charging at midnight. In California EV owners get very, very cheap electricity starting at midnight. So I am paying very little for energy.

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  Volt Volt Baby! - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By s_shawn_l - May 3 - 3:10 pm

  Ive had my 2013 Volt for about six weeks and 2,200 miles. Typically by this time after a new car purchase, Ive found pros and cons associated with my purchase. I cant find any cons to speak of with this one (thats a first). Its everything I had hoped it would be, but more. Ive taken a couple of day trips utilizing the gas mode, and still have managed to keep my total mpg around 160. Almost every day someone asks me about my Volt it draws alot of attention. Im a rolling commercial for this vehicle. Very happy with my purchase.

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  The most misunderstood car in America - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By pvolt - March 26 - 8:54 pm

  This is a wonderful car, plain and simple. Everyone seems to want to make it only about whether or not the battery will pay for itself but that really misses the point. This is a stylish, distinctive, comfortable car that is really fun to drive and has, as one of its many features, a minimal need for gas. It costs under $30,000 despite what everyone says. If you buy one you can get a $3,000 rebate, a $7,500 tax refund. And for $30,000 its a terrific car. I traded in a Prius V (that also cost $30,000 BTW) and its a WAY better car. I have owned BMWs, Jaguars, Audis, Mercedes and many other "fine" cars and this is different but equal or better than them all!

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  Chevy Hit It Out of the Ball Park - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By hbbob - March 21 - 11:16 am

  Incredibly electronically sophisticated vehicle. Light years ahead of any other hybrid or electrical car on the road today. I installed a 240 volt charge station to speed up the recharging process, plus it reduces the cost of each full charge from 13kw used to 10kw. For me in Calif., it costs $1.70 for each full charge. I normally get 43 miles on each charge and on gas anywhere from 45-60 mpg (light foot on the throttle). Assuming 10k miles/yr and 10% of the miles on gas, the total cost would be about $460/yr or a $2,000/yr savings over our other gas costs for 10k miles/yr. The volt cost $32k after all rebates. Do the math...this car is a no brainer!

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  100 mpg +++++ - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By borchone1 - March 4 - 3:04 pm

  Over 5900 miles and used 21 gallons of gas and $135 elect. ZERO problems. Handles great in snow. Heater is great. Grandkids stay warm in back at 0 degrees. Yesterday drove 54 miles and total cost elect and gas was $2.33 and it was 34 degrees outside. 34 miles in elect and 20 miles on gas. Summer gives me 45-50 miles on elect. Cost me at most 69 cents to charge per night. Special time of day rates with elect. co. Great car and only stopped at for gas 3 times in 7 mos. Fast, fun and great car. One of best cars ived owned out of 41. Great car GM and thanks to Pres. George Bush for helpping get this started.

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  Love my Volt - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By pvb2 - February 4 - 8:04 pm

  Ive had the car for about a month and the more I drive the more I love the car. Fantastic work by Chevy engineers!!!

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  Volt is the answer for a 24K mi/yr commuter - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By allroad5volt13 - February 2 - 9:17 am

  The Volt is an incredibly comfortable, fun and responsive vehicle. Pound-for-pound - $-for-$ - the Volt is the future of drivetrains. I commute 78 mi/day in S.W. Ohio. Hills, weather and road speed affect battery/gas consumption. I avg 39mi/charge. Own a V8 05 Audi -- the Volt corners and accelerates (in Sport mode) the same, if not better. The ride is extremely quiet. The "connectivity" options are industry leading. The Volt has overcome GMs countless decades of lethargic design, boring ingenuity and laskluster performance. Due to weather, I have 118 miles per/gal after 2016 miles. I love this car. No regrets. In the least, this car is a worth your time to test drive.

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  Free Car - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By bluevolt - January 25 - 2:52 pm

  I just bought a volt and am actually being paid to drive it. I put zero down financed at 0%. My payments come to $5,800 a year for six years. I get paid a $9,000 tax credit (live in California). I save $2,000 a year on gas and $500 a year on tolls ($15,000 over six years). So, even if the car loses half of its value, at the end of six years I own a car worth $17,500 and my out-of-pocket expense came to only $11,000. In other words, I get to drive a car for six years and am essentially paid $6,500 to do so.

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  I love this car - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By minyung - December 7 - 12:58 am

  I was a Chevy Suburban guy for the last 16 years until last May when my truck of 8 years needed some major work, I decided to buy the Volt. My gas bill every month went down very substantially in the last 6 months. My average gas bill with the suburban was about $1000 a month ans so far, I have spent about $1000 in the last 6 months. I have driven 17,593 miles since 5/28/2012 of which 8280 miles was EV miles (47% of the total miles). Every day when the Volt take me for a ride, I tried to squeeze out as much miles as I could in a single charge and the most that I was able to squeeze out was 51 miles before the gas kicked in. I just love this car.

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  Nice job Chevrolet! - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By katvolt - November 24 - 10:24 am

  Just purchased the 2013 fully loaded Volt for my wife. Its a great ride with a very high feel good factor of knowing you are helping be part of the solution to foreign oil dependency. (Im a Desert Storm Vet) But even more important is that its a no compromise ride - very responsive drive train and we do not worry about being stranded without a charge. Chevrolet got it right.