Chevrolet Volt Review - Everyday Driver

The guys go commuting in the Chevy Volt. Can it live up to the hype and be competitive against the gas-sipping Pri-i of the world?

[EverydayDriver]

@SierraRomeo1990 - You've hit on a great point here. The Volt, Prius, Leaf, etc... these cars only save you money on paying for Gasoline IF you are already wanting to buy a NEW car. If you're willing to buy a used car, or drive the one you've paid off, then there's no way that buying a new one of these will cost you less.

Many people only buy New, though. And then trade up every 3-5 years. Those folks are going to have a car payment no matter what - saving some gas money might help.

[wabeech]

I bought a Volt 1 month ago.  I have not bought gas for the car yet.  It has about between 1/2 to 3/4 tank of gas in it.  My commute is 11 miles each way.  The company I work for has six 240v charging stations.  I get to work and park at one of the EV designated spots, plug it in and wave the card supplied by the company and get a free charge.  During the week I never charge at home.  On weekends I use the 120v charger that comes with the car.  Since Chevy dropped the price $6000 from the 2013 model and my company has a special relationship with GM (probably not really that special) the car ended up costing $33, 000.  Next year when I do my taxes, I will get the $7500 tax credit, making the cost $25, 500.  A pretty sweet deal over all.  My Tundra got 15 MPG.  So you can deduct the cost of gas.  I was spending about $160.00 a month on gas.  Also got a 4 year 0% loan.  The electronics are overwhelming and I advise everyone to set everything up before you move.  It can be distracting.  So far I really like it.  I haven't taken it on any long trips, but will soon.

[EverydayDriver]

@merts487 - We've got a lot of fun stuff in the pipeline. Fiat 500 is coming up compared with the Mini and Honda CRZ. A review of the Cayman S. And for Exotic Driver: Corvette ZR1 and Aston Martin Vantage. Plus lots of other stuff being scheduled before 2011 is done.

Thanks for watching and wanting more!

[fatboy]

I am actually 6.5 feet tall 200 pounds. Almost no body fat. My problem with most modern cars is head and legroom. The Volt is fine on both for its front seat passengers.

[ChrisAmosPhotography]

Really nice video guys, you really upped the ante in production quality with this one!!

[Dan-uovi]

For 5 extra grand Id rather get the volt than leaf. 

[Dankcatvacs]

great review,
you guys should review old cars too,
like geo metro, civic hx, and subaru gl 4x4

[ra]

ps ... I didn't burn money. I kept my Caddy's for over 15 years each. They were showroom new when I sold them. I actually had quite a few people that wanted to buy them and I had a bidding war. Sold them for more than twice blue book. Do you know how many people want a nice 15 yeard old car that they don't have to do one thing to? They are still running around. My only regret, selling my 1978 Seville, black on silver. I cry when I see that car!

[ArtOfHealth]

The braking is comfortable and predictable. The solidity and feel of the Volt is wonderful. The Tesla is 3.9 secs for a 0-60.(70-110k$) I can NOT use that power around town anyway without a ticket. We are on our 2nd Prius. 2002 & 2007 w/50mpg. $35, 000 2007 Prius Package 5. The Volt has a VERY COMFORTABLE seat-not so on the Prius for ME! 16.5 (I think)KW battery. If GM gets to 150 miles on a charge, they might take it all!!

[PaulChurchley]

OK then. But it is also worth pointing out to everyone that although the Volt does have a mode where the wheels are driven by the gas engine it is always alongside the electric motor. The gas engine cannot drive the wheels alone. It is not a mode that is driver selectable and it is a mode that the vast majority of people will never go into.

Going back to the original post then... the Volt clearly is an electric car but the gas engine can supplement power at the top end.

[UNSPKENSILENCE]

Thanks for that guys, I might give up on the leaf altogether now and just pay the extra 10k for this!

[rehsa]

Lol after looking at the zr1 video, I cant believe that the same company that designs corvettes designs, the CTS'V coupe, volt, trucks, all buicks, and something competitive in every class. I would never had seen this coming abt 7 yrs ago, or even 5 yrs ago. Way to go GM

[KypHeM]

I have personally left a car with gas standing in a garage for 2 years and it started fine, sure it evaporated but you can run a car on old gas.

[beepster]

I also paid cash for my Elantra.And I seen the performance numbers for both cars, .The handling and 0-60 are pretty much the same.And I drive stick, so the Elantra is more fun to drive.I don't say the technology is bad.It's simply overpriced for now.In a few years these cars will be more affordable and not only a luxury.

[beepster]

Why would anyone compare the Honda Accord to the Volt?The Volt is a compact car and the Accord is a Midsize!Also, it's a little too early to compare reliabity, depreciation and maintenance costs for the Volt, when it's been on the road for such a short time.I don't know nothing about the KIG, but they don't seem to work with all the facts,

[Wheelgauge-btox]

My 2015 volt is the best car I have ever owned!

[ra]

True. But when you stop to think that the cab co. in S.F. has saved more than $1 million on gas, that is the real incentive for municipalities to switch to these cars. I am sick and tired of hearing about how workers are being "forced" into hybrids. Companies are going to lease anyway. Why not save tons of money in the long run. Witness PG&E switiching to the VIA Motors 100 mpg full sized truck. They cost a lot of money, but they are going from 15 mpg to 100 mpg. Simple math.

[ra]

As for maintenance. You need to educate yourself on these cars. Brakes last 150, 000 because the car doesn't use the pads down to 3 mph. Oil changes are about every 2 years. No tranny to service. Only 5 moving parts in the E motor. Maintenance costs on these cars is much lower than ICE cars. That was taken into consideration by Kiplinger. The National Automobile Dealership Association made a report that used Volts kept 90% of their value. Leafs 95%.

[BearFlight]

@1aceves Our local Chevy dealer here has had 6 of them (Volts) in stock for over 2 months and they haven't been able to sell even one yet. Across the street the Nissan dealer has sold 7 Leaf's so far.

With the total end-user sales of the Volt stuck at about 6, 000 cars, that means we taxpayers are hit with a vehicle that only costs $300, 000+ per vehicle sold, (considering its $2, 200, 000, 000 R&D costs), what a deal! Kind matches up to $520M for Solyndra doesn't it.

[contractkier]

Ah that would make sense with the fuel sloshing around and heating up when moving around.