2016 Chevy Volt Premier Test Drive Video Review

[@directorjustin]

I liked this review! You have a calm tone and described the back seats better than anyone else I've seen before. Other reviewers say things like "The new Volt is classified as a five seater, but you can really only sit four", which simply isn't true!

[@8BitKeys]

I have to disagree with the statement that the Volt is not a hybrid . While I understand the need to differentiate the Volt from standard hybrids like the Prius, the Volt is still technically a hybrid. I also understand why GM has never called it a hybrid from a marketing standpoint, and I agree with that philosophy. But you can't actually look somebody in the face and tell them it is "not a hybrid."

[@itsalexclark]

+8-Bit Keys it's not a hybrid.

[@electrictroy2010]

+itsAlexClark Gasoline and electric. I'm an engineer and I call that a hybrid (just the same as the BMW i3 Rex is a hybrid). IMHO salespeople are mistaken calling it an electric car, because the Dimwit customers automatically assume it has limited range. GM should say "It's a hybrid like a prius, but also has an EV mode.." FEAR of electric cars is a big reason the Volt is failing (and discontinued in Europe and Japan) .

[@z00h]

+electrictroy2010 it failed in Europe because it was too expensive, simple as. Also old Volt technically was a hybrid cause petrol engine could drive wheels directly above certain speed. The new one doesn't do that I believe.

[@cactustweeter2890]

I would so like to buy this car.

[@InSaN3ViSioN]

The front grills have to be painted black especially on white. It looks amazing with that simple mod

[@danwat1234]

+Mr Cars Plastidipping the grille of a red 1st gen Volt, blue or a blue Volt with a red grille looks great too. Or to black

[@electrictroy2010]

+Mr Cars UGH that sounds horrible. Black grill on a white car? No the Silver is better..... it looks like an expensive front end. (Black just looks like cheap plastic.) .

[@z00h]

I like this guys style. Good review - liked and subbed.

[@edmondov]

much better than a gas guzzling snobby BMW

[@electrictroy2010]

+edmondov BMW 328d gets 44 miles per gallon. 535d is almost as good. So where is the gas guzzling? .

[@SIIKAP1]

@@electrictroy2010 in the GAS models… And the 328d of 2016 gets 42 mpg highway, not combined-which is mid 30s.

[@danwat1234]

3:25; premium wasn't required on the 1st gen Volt, was highly recommended though. Engine will adjust timing to compensate. 2:25 I am surprised to finally see a 2016 Chevy Volt review with an actual 0-60MPH run! None of the others actually showed the acceleration. Did you mash the accelerator all the way the whole time, or did you hold off a bit at 16MPH or did you mash it and let traction control do its thing?

[@markrothenberg9867]

Wrong. It was stated in the manual to use high octane fuel.

[@techexplorer9382]

Nice Review ! My question to you is , my daily commute is 62 miles per day ,which would be the better vehicle to use the 2016 Chevy Volt or the new 2016 Toyota Prius ? I was thinking maybe the Chevy volt if you stayed at 55 MPH and drive conservatively could possibly do the round trip of my daily commute just in EV mode , is that's possible ? Your thoughts Thanks Joe

[@larrysmith6797]

+TechExplorer Take a look at the TFL Car 2016 Volt MPG test video. They do a 100 (GPS 98) mile mileage run on Colorado highways. The 2016 volt got 37 electric miles at 75MPH at 5,000 ft. elevation and probably around 32F or colder temps. Edmonds.com got 70 electric miles in stop and go freeway traffic. Check their long term test. Have you looked into the possibility of charging at work? You could easily make the trip at full speed if you could get access to a 115v plug at work.

[@techexplorer9382]

+Larry Smith I want have a way to charge at work the round trip commute daily is actually 61 to 62 miles Thanks for response , I appreciate it !

[@larrysmith6797]

You might want to do a search on electric miles driven. Owners of the first generation Volt drive more electric miles than Leaf owners. If I remember correctly, the Volt fleet has more electric miles on it than the Leaf fleet even thought there are more EV Leafs on the roads. I think that's because GM engineers figured out how people drive and the motor/generator enables Volt owners to drive as far as they can on battery. In other words, most people drive less than the Volt's electric range every day. Additionally, a Volt owner has no qualms about making a three mile round trip to the store with 4 miles of EV range left. The Leaf owner will not take his Leaf on the same supermarket run. He take his other, gas powered, car.

[@electrictroy2010]

+TechExplorer ELECTRICITY IS NOT FREE. The Prius == $2 for a 50 mile trip and Volt EV == 2.23 (at 13 c/KWh electricity). Prius cheaper. BUT A BETTER OPTION IS NO HYBRID AT ALL The Chevy Cruze diesel, or Cruze Eco, or Ford Focus 3-cylinder all get over 40 MPG, and they cost 10-to-15,000 dollars less to buy. IMHO upfront savings off the pricetag are better .

[@voltecrules624]

Get the Volt. My commute in a 2014 Volt is 54 miles. The 2014 Volt is suppose to get 38 miles per charge, but I always get 42-44 miles per charge. I would expect the 2016 Volt to get close to 60 miles per charge. I drive 20,000 miles per year and my Volt has a lifetime mpg of 121 mpg. Prius would be less than 50 mpg. There is no question the Volt is in a class by itself. We haven't even discussed the fact that the Volt dominates the Prius in all driving dynamics like acceleration, lateral g, braking, etc. I've only had two oil changes and my car has 58,000 miles on it. Amazing. Basically needs no maintenance.

[@pedrof830]

Dan, looking forward to your review of the new Prius to see which one you would prefer.

[@mpgomatic]

+pedrof830 I've spent a day with the new Prius, but haven't had the opportunity to produce a full review. It's a big step up from the previous version and remarkably efficient.

[@johnnyViDeO]

Good review. You really ought to shave before going on camera next time! You forgot to mention Gen 1 Volt's 5 star safety and highest reliability of any car in its class, and second only to the Tesla in owner satisfaction. I'm averaging 133+ MPG, but some Volt owners are getting 1000+ MPG's! Edmunds.com says the Volt is cheaper to own than a Civic or Corolla over 5 years. Made in Detroit!

[@mpgomatic]

+johnny mars Thanks for the kind words, insight, and grooming advice! =) The Volt is an awesome car.

[@electrictroy2010]

+johnny mars ELECTRICITY IS NOT FREE. The Prius == $2 for a 50 mile trip and Volt EV == 2.23 (at 13 c/KWh electricity). No money saved. On a long trip to Vegas, the Volt switches to gas mode 42 MPG (EPA). The Prius or Civic or Insight hybrids will get almost 50 mpg. Even nonhybrids like Cruze diesel and Focus 3-cylinder will beat the Volt on that trip (and be 10-to-15,000 dollars less to buy) .

[@InSaN3ViSioN]

+electrictroy2010 Prius is a turd on wheels.

[@danwat1234]

+electrictroy2010 A volt doesn't take 17.16KWh to fully charge the pack. More like 14KWh. Gas will not stay at $2/gallon for long and knowing that you are using so much less energy to drive is enough reason. Buy a Volt used, save money that way, and gas savings long term.

[@electrictroy2010]

+danwat1234 DO you not know how to use google? GM increased the Volt G2 battery size waaaaay larger than the 14 kWh you falsely claimed. My calculations were based on the G2 design and official EPA ratings .

[@electrictroy2010]

ELECTRICITY IS NOT FREE. These guys ignore that fact when testing the Volt or other plugins. PRIUS == $1.90 gasoline per 50 miles. VOLT EV == $2.22 at 13cent/KWh. So in reality the Volt or other plugins are MORE expensive to run.

[@electrictroy2010]

Also after the Volt battery drains empty, it is only averaging 42 mpg in pure gas mode (example: driving LA to Vegas or SanFran). The Prius will average 50mpg and therefore still be the cheaper car. AND the Prius (or any standard gasoline/diesel car) costs 15,000 dollars less to buy than volt. These are the basic facts which car reviewers of the Volt or plugins never, ever mention to their audience .

[@DustinDawind]

+electrictroy2010 You're making two big assumptions here. 1. That gas prices will be low forever. Rest assured they will not. 2. That electricity rates are 13 cents/KWH everywhere. Right now my electric rates are 7.918 cents/KWH. Gas is right around $1.90 here. Given those rates and assuming that I would not have the ability to stop to recharge the Volt I would need to drive roughly 88 miles before the operating cost of the Volt would exceed the operating cost of the Prius. As to the initial outlay argument the Prius is currently starting at $24,200 and is not eligible for the Federal Tax Credit. The Prius Plugin starts at $29,990 and is eligible for a Federal Tax Credit of $2,500 for a total outlay of $27,490. The 2016 Volt starts at $33,170 and is eligible for a $7,500 tax credit for a total outlay of $25,670. So the initial cost is almost the same. And that doesn't even factor in state incentives. My state offers a $2,000 rebate for the Volt which would drop it below the starting price of the Prius.

[@WillHasManyHobbies]

+Dustin Dawind In addition, you still have to do an oil and filter change for the Prius more often than a Volt if you keep your daily commute below 50 miles.

[@williamanderson1931]

Electric rates during the night can be as low as .04 cents. Volt wins until you go on a long trip with no charging. If you're driving within the electric range, Volt is far ahead.

[@markrothenberg9867]

Disagree using “significant savings when filling up the fuel tank.’ I filled up my 2013 for $24 and now my 2016 costs me $22. Two dollars is not a significant difference.

[@noonesbusiness959]

Using premium fuel for the 2013 and regular the same day and at the same gas station for the 2016?

[@TheMisterTroll02]

the front looks like the acura version of the cr-z

[@rolromper6844]

Why has the Volt still this battery in the middle? Why not do it like Tesla: put it in the floor?

[@DustinDawind]

+Rol Romper The Volt still has to fit an exhaust system and all that fun stuff under there that you need with an ICE. The Tesla doesn't have that problem.

[@bluenation3838yoohoo]

holy shit it's borat!!!

[@KimonoSkunk]

Must compliment you on your excellent review, and a great choice in background music as well... ^^ Kimonoskunk < 1 Corinthians 15 : 1-4, 51-52

[@urangostang]

I guess the plumbing business went under and he had to swap to testing cars... poor mario :P

[@mpgomatic]

+urangostang If I had a plumbing business, I'd be comfortably retired by now. =) WWMD? What Would Mario Drive (besides a go kart)?

[@DustinDawind]

+MPGomatic Perhaps, but you'd have to put up with a lot of shit before that happened. Ba Dum Tss.

[@tarassu]

Tesla is not similar

[@whatchuwant77]

Arnis Tarassu You're right, Volt is Better.

[@BTC909]

Brilliant power-train, stupid platform (Delta II).

[@PaulBodyBuilder]

Chevy is behind the times get with the program. Tesla is the electric car to beat. Ur not even close

[@ThorMaxx]

Not everyone can afford a $100000 Tesla.... This is a great compromise!

[@PaulBodyBuilder]

+ThorMaxx Actually close to $150,000 with all options. They r coming out with an affordable model in 2017. Starting price $35,000 Apple & Google r suppose to come out with their version of an electric car not sure of a date. One thing i like about Tesla's r They r built to last a lifetime. Made of all aluminium chasis. Batteries & motors can b easily upgraded. Tesla also gets its computer programs upgraded for free. What a Company! U so called car manufacturer's beware, Tesla is coming for that Ass! It has ,will & continue to b in the forefront of innovation, technology & quality that has been laking in the automotive industry.

[@dylanluhowy]

+PaulBodyBuilder Chevy has their 200+ mile electric car coming out in 2016, starting price $37500. Tesla is behind the times, now.

[@electrictroy2010]

+PaulBodyBuilder CHEVY will have the $30,000 Bolt with 200 mile range 2-3 years before Tesla releases the Model 3 .