2011 Chevrolet Volt - Drive Time Review | TestDriveNow

[@DJEddieXZ]

Im not a Chevy guy but that's one of the best looking chevys I've seen ever!

[@SpartanML]

Another awesome and honest review; despite my personal feelings towards electric vehicles you do a great job of keeping the perspective in the real world. Thanks Steve.

[@stevehammes]

@76carmel Darn! I meant to mention that in my piece...just forgot. Good point.

[@TheAlexv6]

Great review!! Love this car!

[@stevehammes]

@madant1977 I'm totally missing your point. The most fuel efficient TDI engines sold today get 30mpg/42mpg. if you keep the Volt's battery charged you'll never use a drop of a petroleum. According to the EPA the annual fuel cost equivalent for the Volt is under $600. A TDI is 3 times that amount.

[@76carmel]

@jvrdlc I think GM is addressing this issue. Whenever there is cold weather, it's natural that a car will use more energy (here with the Chevy Volt, it would be electricity and more fuel with conventional cars).

[@manoman0]

I don't consider filling the tank with premium fuel is a disadvantage. I only fuel premium on my petrol engined car.

[@daveriley6310]

Going back and looking at older Volt reviews for self-educational purpose. Overall good review. Some minor comments which folks may find helpful: at 0:40 the statement that "the engine will not regenerate electricity for the battery..." is not accurate - that's exactly what mountain mode does when used below about 16 miles battery range remaining; at 2:02 we see that all 4 tires are under-inflated, someone adjusted them to a normal car's number instead of 2011 Volt's recommended 35 (cold) psi - note that in 2012 the recommended pressure was raised to 38 psi cold. Many Volt owners regularly use higher pressures up to 50 psi for both range and tread wear.

[@Cali_Lux_Cruiser]

I will take this over the Prius any day. This car looks really good.

[@stevehammes]

@76carmel There will always be haters...people who like to out-think the room, if you will. The Volt is excellent. Is it the end all, non-gas solution to driving? Of course not. But it's the best, closest thing to it so far.

[@76carmel]

@stevehammes I agree. Besides the disadvantages that you've mentioned in this spot, the only disadvantage is that if one needs to fill the Volt with gasoline, it needs premium fuel. Great report.

[@KTPurdy]

I've used so little petro that it makes the requirement for premium moot.

[@ArtOfHealth]

Remember, this is built on a Caddy chassis. I am on my 2nd Prius. 48-50mpg. All GASOLINE, plus engine maintenance and all the other stuff too. The Prius is aerodynamic and fairly quiet. Volt is quieter and more of a Cadillac ride. Tight quarters in the rear seats and trunk area. Nice for a briefcase salesman or couple that stays around town or has a 2nd powersource at work 35 miles away. LOL.

[@jvrdlc]

Consumer Reports stated that the Volt is good, but on winter times the battery drains a lot faster. specially when the car is park..

[@KTPurdy]

The Volt is my first Chevy and the best car that I've ever owned. The engineering is first rate. The Volt is also the cheapest car to own that I've had. The money I save in gas more than covers my 3 year lease payment, and the insurance is very reasonable. I will admit that I'm over the monthly lease allotment so I'm going to have to buy this car when it ends; however, the performance, handling, and ride quality is first rate.

[@76carmel]

Steve, The Volt is such a polarizing car; the eco-heads and politicians aren't keen on it; but auto magazines writers like yourself like it; I feel this is better than most standard EVs. EVs have limited range, but this works like a true automobile.

[@LTF85199]

Steve is it practical for you to do a group comparison of the latest compact cars?

[@MrHypnofan]

What is the monthly lease rate on your Volt, if I may ask?

[@The.Cycling.Therapist]

When did this Volt talk begin? 4-5 years ago?? It has been a LONG time coming.

[@danielpark94]

how many miles to the gallon will the gas engine get?

[@zackness5]

@stevehammes But is it really worth the price tag? How fast do you make back your money?

[@stevehammes]

@LTF85199 Not more than 2 or 3 at a time, I'm afraid.

[@tnguyen318]

The Chevy Volt can go 40 Miles on Electric Mode. $.02 cents a mile, $2.75 to Fully Charge. That's 150 MPG. 5x's the MPG you get in a regular gasoline car.

[@newera3443]

chevy is out doing themselves with the vehicles their coming out with. the Volt is a great car expecially for a heavy footer like myself. took the car for a test drive and was amazed about how eco the car was. "my only beef is" that for a person that cannot afford it will be stuck with a prius or leaf since its almost half the price.

[@quatlen]

I really like the idea of an extended range electric vehicle, too bad I could never afford one.

[@KTPurdy]

used ones are very cheap

[@stevehammes]

@mahatmacoatmahandbag Yes thanks, I'm realizing madant1977 and I are coming at this from 2 different places. Unless there is a diesel running around Europe that's getting over 100 U.S. mpg the Volt is the mpg champion.

[@thugangel662]

Good job Chevy... Now make sound like an AMG and im sold

[@Icayn]

@IDontHoldTheTruth Um no, its made by GM in Detroit, and it was designed by American engineers in the US. Did some folks at Opel help out in some way? perhaps, (although I doubt it) but that is expected since GM owns Opel.

[@tigerbalm666]

Most families have smaller kids so the backseat room isn't really a problem 95% of the time. And most people drive with maybe 2 people anyway.

[@cooldc129]

the bad part is its little expensive in my area

[@shummyshum]

should put a PA system on it and have it blasting the exhaust note of a v8 ;]

[@stevehammes]

@mahatmacoatmahandbag But that's totally misleading because you'd be an idiot to only drive using the engine. Keep it charged and keep your driving to reasoanble lengths and you'll get SUPERIOR gas mileage to any other car with an engine on the market.

[@Raffix394]

From an American car maker.. but a lot of development and parts like the engine came from Opel.

[@MrNismoSR20]

$44680?? What the??

[@manoman0]

It's roughly 62'000 us dollars in my place....

[@East17A]

$44680 that is alot of money for the size of the car ?!! understanding its Technology but no matter what i don't know how auto makers think that people will buy a new product cost that much . special if some one live in cold climate electric does not operate in cold weather as it should and the economy make that deal a hard challenge where was that 15 years ago?!

[@stevehammes]

@madant1977 Not true at all.

[@DJTEVAdotCOM]

yeah...I'm not a cheavy guy too...but it sure looks nicer than the ugly prius. Hopefully the price will go down because like the prius, car dealerships are price gauging this Volt like there's no tomorr.

[@whatever04811]

It seems to me that politicians in the West are not very interested in getting off of oil addiction. $8 trillion sounds heck of a lot.

[@05front]

As it drives by it will say "IIIIIIIIImm Gaayyyyyyy" J.D. Peanut

[@whatever04811]

Guys, imagine if we (West) invent technology that would allow us to cut fuel (nationwide) consumption by 50 per cent - that means trillions of dollars are staying at "home" and not going to Middle East (with all my respect to them) NO more recession!!!

[@DailyDriver.]

just sucks its 44k dollars...to much! one of the better looking hybrids tho

[@khunopie]

The white plastic bits of the interior are hideous.

[@emforty2]

gasoline range extender vehicle=nothing but an expensive hybrid car

[@DailyDriver.]

if only it wasnt a chevy...i dont like chevy....if it was japanese i would be down