Why Chevy Volt Surprised Me: My Review - Price, Range & More!

[@EforElectric]

Question of the Day: What do you think of the Chevy Volt? Would you get one for yourself as your next car?

[@robertm8380]

@Chao Li what about a magnetic engine in Telsa trunk or small fuel cell in the hood.

[@wikusvandemerwe2762]

Chao Li: the Pacifica plug-in hybrid comes close. It has about a 50km electric range and is very well equipped. I'm on the fence about it right now.. waiting for the Model Y to be up for deposit.

[@selmateacher7]

My neighbor has one and I like the styling. I am not thinking of buying a Volt because I already own an EV and I love driving what I already have. I have found EVs to be far more fun to drive than ICE vehicles. If anything, a Bolt or Tesla might be a future buy, but that is many years away. I always look forward to these videos.

[@ap0lmc]

Pacifica is a lemon lots of video on KZbin about it

[@ruirodtube]

E for Electric I’m currently driving a Volvo V60 diesel (fully paid) and I’ll keep it until I buy an 100% electric car. I won’t go through the plug-in hybrid step. It’s better to save the money, wait until a long range electric model is done right and switch to 100% electric. No more oil changes, oil filters, belt replacements, water pump replacements, exhaust fumes, gear box, clutch, etc.

[@xbsoft]

I bought a 2018 Volt in Cali and I can tell you the quickness and quietness of this car has surpassed all of my expectations. I really think this car is the best of both worlds. You can't go wrong with this car.

[@Sully365]

2 yrs this october for me..and i absolutely love this thing. I've spent a total of 7 bucks on gasoline in 2 years.. $15/month in electricity for my entire commute and errands...just a beautifully designed machine

[@jamesseibert349]

I also have a 2018 Volt and I'm a senior citizen who no longer drives on the freeways and usually stays between 30 and 40 MPH, and I'm getting between 70 & 80 miles on battery. In 23K miles, I've only used 30 gallons. The amazing thing is the cars computer knows my driving habits and when I start the car in the morning it will tell me I have 78 to 83 miles on a full charge. Best car I've ever owned.

[@dansanger5340]

For people like me who really don't have the money for a Tesla, the Volt can be a great value, if you're patient and wait for a deal. I regularly see base model Volts online for around $28k new. If you subtract $7500 federal tax credit and $2500 state tax credit, it's only $18k for a brand new, pretty nice plug-in hybrid with 53 miles of EV range. You really can't go wrong at that price.

[@imho7250]

Dan Sanger, I agree, that’s a super value because the battery alone cost over $7000, and that hybrid drivetrain cost several thousand more than an automatic transaxle. And GM has to sell a certain number in ZEV states, so you will find super deals there. It’s a very sensible car for someone who makes decent money (at least $60k/year), but also realizes a retirement savings and appreciating assets are more important than a $60k electric car.

[@Ranjit12]

So jealous of the US pricing! In Canada its 42k + 8k in taxes for the last year base model. There is a 8k government incentive but still

[@chazsmith4351]

@@dc48664 Lucky you! I hope that more such incentives become more available in other areas. We really need more EV and near EV adoption to accelerate so that we can all breath easier. By the way where are you that has these forward thinking policies and incentives?

[@chipb4617]

Where are you seeing volts for $28k before the incentives? I'll take one!! The GM website has them at $37k

[@dansanger5340]

The federal tax credit depends on battery size, regardless if there is a gasoline engine. The Volt qualifies for the full $7500, while a Prius Prime qualifies for $4502 because of the smaller battery. The i3 gets the same tax credit, whether or not it has the range extender option. So far, my Volt has reduced my gasoline usage by 96%, so the incentive make sense to me.

[@terrya6486]

I built a 56kwh chevy volt power wall and charge it from solar. I was so impressed by the volts battery I had to buy the car! a 2014 for 13.500 I have to admit I`m not a chevy fan but the volt is better than the other chevys I have had.

[@imho7250]

How much did you have to pay for the Volt batteries, and what configuration did you use? That’s enough Volt batteries to make an electric race car.

[@terrya6486]

@@imho7250 The volt packs vary in price from salvage yards 1200 to 2200 each pack. Each pack is 16 kwh. I'm running a 12kw inverter at 48v.

[@imho7250]

Terry a, nice setup. 12 kw is like nothing for those batteries. Are you using the liquid cooling? I guess you don’t need it but to stabilize the temp.

[@terrya6486]

@@imho7250 No need for liquid cooling. The batteries have never been more that 1F higher that the room. Now the inverter would like an AC in the room I will add a mini split next year in my garage.

[@imho7250]

Terry a, yes, I figure the thermal management works only be needed for environmental reasons, not due to that tiny charge/discharge rate. I bet a string of 13 modules would handle 12kw no problem, but only for 10 minutes. LOL

[@taiwanjohn]

I just got a 2013 Volt (Premium) a few weeks ago, and I love it. Would I rather have a Tesla? Sure... but that would cost three or four times as much (my payment on the Volt is just $215 a month). I've got unlimited range on long trips, which I do several times a year, but around town it's pure EV. It's a damn shame they're discontinuing this car.

[@mayspondmogul]

I Love my Volt! I bought a super clean almost new condition 2014 w 30k miles for 16k$ I rarely use gas only when I roadtrip. Ive saved thousands since I ditched my gas guzzeler benz and it has a better ride than my benz. I charge it at the mall for free and other places cant beat the Volt on price plus American made. Ive had No problems at all its virtually maintenance free unlike my old benz every year 2 to 5k for parts and labor and 2k for tires.

[@retrodog63]

From the title, I thought this was going to be click bate. But it turned out to be a very nice "to the point" assessment of a truly fine car. Some of the reviews for the 2016 stated that the second generation Volt would be touted as the best car ever built if it had a Japanese company origin. I believe that to be true. So I bought one. I already had a 2015 Leaf, and think the two make an awesome pair. Thanks for the video and taking the time to share it with the community.

[@SimeonToko]

I agree that the Bolt technology should have been an option package on the Volt because it looks and rides so much better. GM missed a huge opportunity to cut into the full electric market share. I really like the look of the sporty look of the Volt.

[@GH-oi2jf]

JamesEarlMoans - I’m sure GM looked at what they could do, and no doubt they are still working on where they will go from here.

[@al591]

im so glad you like your volt , I just love mine and I paid only $10,000 for a 2012 ,im now 100,000 miles trouble free ,that being said im waiting for a model 3 but in the meantime the volt is just fine

[@shanvenable6428]

Great acknowledgment of how good the Volt really is. I have owned my 2017 Volt LT almost a year now , 9000 miles and only $120 in gas. It really is the best of both worlds--all electric quiet and acceleration, long range without the hassles of extended stops for recharging. The Voltec power plant is quiet (relatively speaking), very reliable and great gas mileage at 40mpg all day long. Would love to see Chevy use this power plant in other models and spend some money marketing it.

[@jodypresti94]

75k miles, trouble free. Love my Volt.

[@constantbuzz]

what year model?

[@TomHarrisonJr]

Thanks for a great review. I am in love with everything about my new Tesla Model 3, but have to say that it's really hard to justify the money I spent compared to this Volt. Also, I kind of love that two American car companies are building cars that should be far closer to affordable and realistic for many people ... with Bolt and Volt being much closer to that mark than Tesla today. That said, good god, could GM be doing a worse job marketing these cars? I talked to a salesperson from one of the few local GM dealers who has even bothered to sell their EVs -- it seems like (once again) GM is doing everything they can to make these excellent cars fail. It's really hard to understand.

[@Marmocet]

It's not that GM are trying to make them fail, it's that they don't make money on the Volt or the Bolt. From what I understand, on the Volt, they're lucky to break even, and they outright lose money on every Bolt they sell. It's all down to how much the batteries cost and how much customers are willing to pay for the capabilities these vehicles have. Every other manufacturer, including Tesla, has the same problem.

[@tomzito2585]

Well put.

[@seanz6586]

Marmocet not including Tesla. People wrongly keep stating Tesla loses money on every car sold. Usually it’s the shorts that do this or people who honestly can’t think for themselves.

[@TomHarrisonJr]

Marmocet -- is that really true that they lose money on every sale? I don't doubt it, but the question is why. I totally get that new markets demand investments in new technology, marketing and other new costs that don't immediately pay off. But in this case it seems that Tesla has proven that there's a strong market for some variant of EV -- I don't think Tesla's market is entirely filled with true believers and fanboys (and certainly will not be for long -- M3's an amazing car). So if people like me are paying $49K for a Tesla Model 3 (and yes, getting $10K back from incentives) why isn't the Bolt, a very fine car based on my experience, something they can sell? Frankly, I had to trade off two risks with my purchase: risk of failure of the company, and certainty that there will be issues and problems that are not easily or quickly solved. The Bolt and Volt are both really great cars, each filling a niche that Tesla is not, and backed by a stable car company. Is it that there just isn't a market, or they are underpricing the car, or just that they cannot decide to actually get out there and sell it? My chat with a salesperson seemed that GM was not investing in marketing and sales. Just don't get it, especially with federal incentives.

[@PBandJTime]

@@TomHarrisonJr, I think that Chevy is under-pricing the cars, because they're compliance vehicles, & they're trying to sell enough of them to stay in compliance, so they can continue to sell their fossil cars. If they priced them for what they were actually worth, they might not sell enough of them to stay in compliance to keep selling the fossils. Of course, some good marketing could help with that. But then they'd be marketing competition for their beloved fossil cars. Most of the fossil car companies are doing this. That why Nissan builds such an awesome E.V, & then ruins it, by not putting an adequate cooling system, in it. Chevy & Hyundai are about the only fossil companies that make a fairly solid E.V. The Volt, The Bolt, & Ioniq.

[@sonnijc]

From my Chevy app I used 63% electric ⚡️ and charge 220v for free at work, so it works out 💪

[@natehill8069]

Wow free charging would rock! I could use the heat in winter if that were available, would be so nice not to have my nostril hairs freeze together and be able to take gloves off.

[@imho7250]

Alex, how much did your insurance cost change when going from Model S to the Chevy Volt? And are they both insured to the same standard? Whenever I had a nice car which is expensive to insure, I also had a cheap beater car. I would get liability only on the cheap and safe beater car, and full coverage on my “pleasure use only” car. If you had a very expensive to insure car, you could actually add a car and pay lower insurance for 2 cars.

[@EforElectric]

I believe the Volt's insurance is half of Tesla's. It's hard to tell because I have 2 people and 2 cars on the account and there are a lot of variables.

[@imho7250]

E for Electric, now that you have a start to finish ownership of a model S, have you calculated the true cost of ownership? As I understand it, you leased one, then at the end you bought it so you can sell it on the open market, right? I think now you have real numbers to use in your case of “Lease vs Buy”, and in this instance market value was higher than your residual. I think in the lease you win whenever the market value is significantly higher or lower than the payoff, right? The bank wins when they guess it correctly, and the person leasing wins when the car was an unexpectedly high or low.

[@Catlover664]

Got the Volt for reason-Sandy!We lost both power and because of they couldn't pump gas. Also the Port of NY was wrecked and there were no deliverys of gas(the tankers could not unload. So here I with my Toyota van waiting gas lines for gas that never come. After that nasty experience the Volt would give a choice . if power went out I had gas, if there was no gas , I had electric. Incidentally the power came on befor the gas was available.

[@sonnijc]

Absolutely enjoy my 17 Chevy Volt ! Wish I had the blind spot detection... 36 k miles and counting! Handles surprisingly well on twisty two lane roads! Needs a redline edition, supercruise from Cadillac, and camper mode. I really like having two sources of fuel ! Incase you need to bug out😂

[@riggald9864]

@6:20 Most hybrids have electric assist for the ICE. The Volt has ICE assist for the electrics. It's an EV with an onboard generator, like the BMW i3 Range Extender. If it wasn't for the fact that GM engineers found that some ( highway ?) ICE driving was more efficient than REx, it would have been built so the ICE *never* drove the wheels directly.

[@EforElectric]

Not true. Volt can go on pure electricity for awhile and does not need the gas engine at all. Not even a little.

[@riggald9864]

I agree - it *can* drive on pure electricity. It was also conceived to *only* drive on electricity, with the ICE purely there as a generator. However, to improve system efficiency, there is a mode where the ICE drives the wheels in particular circumstances, rather than generating electricity and sending it to the batteries. It's almost 100% a REx, rather than a PHEV. Personally, I think the Volt/ELR/Ampera triplets are great.

[@teaearlgrey9052]

Great video and coverage. I was watching another vlogger's E channel, and he quoted someone who said "Tesla is more of an idea for what EVs should be like 10 years from now for people (potential), while a Volt is more for what cars should be like today for people (reality)" or words to that effect. Most drivers in the USA don't "trust" EVs because even though they've been around for at least 20 years, it's still "new" to many of them. Range anxiety, real or imagined, is real. A car like this could be the perfect bridge for many to help people get used to EVs; how to charge/monitor/enjoy them without feeling like they will get stranded, blow up or go broke trying to buy one like a rapper or movie star. Totally agree about the marketing, they do a horrid job which is another reason most Americans don't consider EVs. They make them seem like EVs are only for rich, entitled people... which Tesla kind of feeds into image-wise (let's face it). Tesla isn't the kind of car the "Everyman" can drive today, so Middle Class America excludes EVs almost altogether but something like this is.

[@DJ-zl4fy]

It is sad volt no longer in production

[@Cello69.]

I really like my 18 volt. Fantastic vehicle. It’s a solid car - literally.

[@ringgoldstreet4977]

Have had a 2017 Volt for almost a year and absolutely love it! I truly believe it's the best car for most people who don't need a large car. For daily use it's 100% electric - whisper quiet, zippy 0-30, emission free, high tech. But then you can take worry free road trips, and still get 40+ mpg as a normal hybrid. We've ever done "Voltebago" camping with it - fold down the back seats, put an air mattress in, run the AC all night! We have 2 years left on the lease, I'll be excited to see if there's a new use of the Volt technology in 2021.

[@imho7250]

The Chevy Volt is an amazing car that is often misunderstood by extremists in either ICE or BEV. The petrolhead would argue “Why pay more carry around the extra weight of electric motor and battery added to an ICE car that can only go 15 miles or the ICE will start if I accelerate hard?” The hardcore EV enthusiasts would argue “Why carry the extra weight and complexity of an ICE engine and its auxiliary systems when I can just use that money to add some more batteries and go 100 miles on pure electricity?” With the first hybrids, they would both be right, but with the newer plugin hybrid like The Chevy Volt, the hybrid drive is assimilated into one unit. You could remove the engine and it would work like a pure EV for 40 miles. But you can also remove 80% of the battery and run it as a hybrid that catches all braking energy and uses it to get the car going again, and allows the engine to run at the ideal load and rpm for best economy. But the Chevy Volt incorporates the electric drive train so well that an ICE car driver won’t make any sacrifices and an EV purists would be able to drive electric most of the time. The Volt is a car you cold give to your 70 year old grandparents and not worry that they will be needing a tow to a supercharger.

[@imho7250]

RB, the Volt BMS takes all the steps to protect the battery known to man: 1. It only uses 20%-80% of the actual battery. It uses approximately 10 kWh of a 16 kWh pack. Just like Tesla recommends. 2. It does not allow fast charging. It only charges at

[@keithw32123]

IMHO Agree! And the gen 2 Volt battery is 14 kwh useable with 4.4 kwh spare. (18.4 kwh total). It has hill top reserve built in. I live on a hill and when I charge it to 100 percent and I still get regen on the way down! Whipee! Source: GM media.gm.com/content/dam/Media/microsites/product/Volt_2016/doc/VOLT_BATTERY.pdf

[@imho7250]

RJ 8U, that’s because of free charging, not because of the Volt. Until they charge a fair price for the charging spot, it will be occupied by whoever feels entitled. The Volt can still help even if you can only drive to work on electric and home on gas. It might also get people to choose an employer with free 3 kw charging at work. The nice thing is that it can operate in many modes. It can be like a normal gas car when needed, and it can operate like a pure EV when needed with some planning ahead. The only negative an ICE buyer can have is that the added complexity might end up having additional costs down the road. And the EV buyer can say he’s carrying around an ICE engine all the time when he only needs it 1 day per year. There are definitely people who should not buy the Volt, as there are some who should not buy a Bolt, and plenty who can’t afford to buy a Tesla. But the Volt is definitely the best of all worlds right now that you can buy if you have a short commute or a city traffic commute. If you’re commute is 50 miles at 75 mph, a Toyota Corolla will be cheaper than any EV.

[@tlhuffman]

I absolutely love my 2016 Volt. I have about 40,000 miles on it and have had no problems at all. I have a lifetime MPG of 189 and run in EV mode about 80% of the time. BTW, that's the key to the Volt. You have to remain at 70% or better average EV usage for the Volt to make sense. For example, if you run gas/EV is a 50/50 proportion then your MPG will drop to about 78. Many people have commented on how they like the Volt's styling. I like it fine, but my only real complaint about the car is that I wish it were a little bigger: more backseat space and easier to get in and out of.

[@seanz6586]

Why is it so difficult for people to adjust their mirrors properly? I have seen two different people relying on their blind spot monitoring and almost got into an accident.

[@robertm3951]

Blind spot monitors reduce accidents 21% according to IHS. www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/stay-within-the-lines-lane-departure-warning-blind-spot-detection-help-drivers-avoid-trouble

[@jimdog]

I've had this conversation so many times. There is an actual SAE method to adjusting your mirrors. For most cars, "blind spots" are a myth. You just haven't adjusted your mirrors correctly. But just like with everything else: parallel parking, paying attention to the car stopping in front of you, not texting while driving, etc etc... People will instead just now use the auto systems as a crutch. As a motorcycle rider I can't wait for everyone else to have an autonomous vehicle as everyone has some how forgotten how to drive these days.

[@smartcarfor2]

Alex, I'm chiming in on this older video only because it seemed the most relevant one to my topic, the 1st generation Chevy Volt, in my case a 2015. I have had this vehicle just over a year now. I bought it from the original owner, off lease from Detroit where it seems it was a GM executive car. It now has about 55K miles and to be honest, served well so far. What surprises me is how little attention this car gets from most KZbin broadcasters that have a focus on EVs. Now I know this Volt is an odd bird, not quite a "Hybrid" and not an "all electric" either. Its an Extended Range Electric Vehicle EREV. My purchase price a year ago was about $!5,000. A fantastic price for a vehicle that is propelled by an electric motor, regardless if it is on battery or via the 1.3 Liter gas engine that spins a generator to give the Juice the car needs to get from A to B. There is currently a full tank of gas half of which has been on board for a month. We topped it off when Hurricane Dorian seemed to be headed for my area which is Central Florida. Otherwise I prefer not to have the extra weight on board. To me the Volt has a huge benefit that our auto (any type of vehicle) market is begging for. This car in my opinion perfectly bridges the gap between all electric and hybrid. The drive train concept is scale-able to the vehicle type, as is the battery pack to allow for better range. The EREV concept could very easily be employed in trucks to allow for the benefit of being propelled by a high torque motor(s) and if there be a need to go that extra 100 miles where a charge station isn't available, the truck could get the job done. The less complex drive train compared to a typical hybrid has so much less maintenance. I only changed the oil after a year because well, it has been a year. I was at 80% remaining life according to the computer. I put new tires on it at about 50,000 because my wife was concerned we were driving on 4 year old tires. They had tread that would probably have taken us to about 60K. Oh and the latest was that I heard an odd clunk sound, took it to my local Chevy dealer and withing 90 minutes was back on the rode. They found that passenger side axle was cracked so they replaced it and I was on my way. I'm wondering your thoughts on this specific drive train platform that GM used in the Volt and to know if you thing that it really could have been scaled and employed across the variety of vehicles (SUV, Mid and Full size trucks,,, etc), had they really made use of it? I watch your KZbin videos regularly and enjoy your point of view and insight. I saw today the Byton release on your channel. I bet you are eager to take ownership of that vehicle.

[@glbuls]

Nice review. This is exactly why Volt owners love their cars.

[@phuquetwo]

Just bought a 2017 premier last week. My commute is 49 miles on highway. With nothing on except the radio.....no heaters.....I'm only getting 42 miles. After I charge it overnight to full, it loses 4 miles in the first half mile. Wtf? Thinking about taking it back. My commute is exactly 4 miles shy of what it's supposed to get, not to mention some people say they're getting 60 plus miles. This car is only 3 years old with 23,000 miles. So when I have passengers and use the heater in the winter, can I expect 25 miles??

[@KennethWPonder]

I loved my Volt, but I decided to replace it with a Tesla Model 3. Even though I consider the Volt a better value, the Model 3 is a better car. I bought a used 2011 volt in 2014 and kept it till 2018, trading it in only because the battery warranty was about to run out. First gen volts with high mileage do have some problems with "reduced propulsion power" mode when running on gas only. I think the Volt is the best value option for someone who wants to transition into an electric vehicle. Congratulations on your Volt, Alex, and thanks for the review.

[@brandoncrouch246]

Yes. Volt is the transitional EV. Allows you to get a taste of electric to see if its right for you and then you realize you can ditch gas entirely. Love my Volt but a Tesla is my next car.

[@tomzito2585]

Awesome review Alex. I love my Chevy Volt too. Like you said, the regen paddle offers more "on the fly" regenerative braking. Also, selecting D vs L on the "gearshift" allows you to customize the amount of one-pedal regen even more. I agree that Volt is the best gateway EV for drivers who need extra range and don't have time to wait at super-chargers.

[@sonnijc]

I was surprised my insurance was cheaper than the 2014 Mazda 3 that I traded it in for ! I’m a good driver and 0 points on my driving record. The Volt has 10 airbags and excellent crash test rating!

[@abelardoconesa9512]

Thanks for reviewing the Volt. I have been considering this one over other PHEV vehicles.

[@artuoma]

Hey Alex, I just test drove one today and got a little spin from the wheels and was surprised about the quiet ride. One thing I have not gotten a clear answer on is if the engine is mechanically connected to the drive train or is a pure generator and the electric motor is the only thing driving the wheels?

[@daves.software]

www.plugincars.com/exclusive-chevrolet-volt-chief-engineer-explains-volt-drivetrain-says-volt-electric-vehicle-90758.ht

[@johnmiranda2307]

I have a 2013 Volt and test drove a 2019 Volt today. It’s about 20% better all around, especially with those safety features. Your comments pretty much match my 2 years of driving this car. Eleven things: 1) it is *TERRIBLE* in snow because of the low weight. Great for dry road smoothness. Not so great for turning and handling in snow, even with snow tires. 2) My 6 yr old car has 52,000 miles on the odometer, but the engine has only 18,000 miles. It will be an antique before the engine has 100,000 miles. 3) The car comes standard with a 120V charging cable. The 220V charging cable is several hundred dollars more PLUS the cost of a 220V circuit. That can be pricey depending on the location of your electrical panel. In my case, going to a 220V charging system will cost at least an extra $2,000. 4) Chevy is going to discontinue the Volt in 2021 or 2022. Too bad. 5) Clean used Volts are really inexpensive compared to new ones, literally half price for a 3 yr old car coming off lease. In my case the car had 28,000 miles on the odometer but only 5,000 miles on the engines, for less than half the price of a new one, which is a better cat, but there’s much more value in a used one, if it was maintained. 6) the front wheel bearings are complicated components that apparently are notorious (in many Chevy models) for failing. I had one fail a few months ago. 7) Plan on no less than $700 for snows mounted on rims. The tire pressure sensor valves cost $60 each., plus rims, plus tires. 8) Using a ChargePoint commercial charging station is $.49 per kWh, several times mire than charging at home and much more expensive than gasoline. 10) The rubber air dam in the front has to be completely removed if you drive in snow over 0.25” deep. 11) the visibility is only fair. Too many big pillars and obstructed rear window. Easy to miss traffic coming from 10AM & 2PM. Rear visibility is even worse. This car has the excellence of being an electric for most day to day driving, but the practicality of being able to keep moving on a long trip. Best of both worlds. The hatchback design is an excellent choice for schlepping most consumer items, especially those that are too long for a trunk.

[@chipb4617]

Just checked the GM website. $3,200 down and $299/month for a 39 month lease/. A hundred more then you are paying per month. The 2019's have been announced and so far it looks like they are only adding a 7.2KW onboard charger. I may just wait till the 2019's show up and see if the 2018's go on clearance... Also it looked like the website only allowed leases? There was no option to buy one outright, weird?

[@RedRider1600]

How long does it take to recharge the batteries using just the engine? Run the battery down to zero and then idle the engine for however many hours till the batts are completely charged. See how long that takes. Can you run the AC with the engine off, and for how long on battery alone?

[@mikeg7845]

One of the least talked about benefits of the Volt is its gas engine fuel economy at highway speeds. I drive a 2017 Bolt. When running off the gas engine I average 40 mpg at 70 mph. I always switch to "hold" mode on the highway when making a long trip to conserve the battery for lower speed driving where it goes further. This allows me to squeeze out the maximum range of the car on a long trip. Most weekends I make a drive that is 180 miles round trip and a mix of 126 miles of 70 mph and 54 of 55 mph driving. It is an ideal mix for this car. Leveraging hold mode, the battery runs out just as I am getting onto the 70 mph highway on the return trip most times. I end up using about 3.3 gallons of gas and 14 kWh of electricity to go 180 miles. At today's gas prices, that translates to around $9 in gas & electricity, or $0.05/mile for the trip. Conversely, my friend who drives to the destination separately in a full sized van, spends around $30 in gas or $0.17/mile.

[@kirivanyam6035]

Agree on Chevy making a Volt EV. They know it will sell but they won't make anything until after 2020 at earliest.

[@junwhang6293]

Great review! Honda Clarity is even better for people who need more passenger space

[@tgc4204]

I bought a used 2017 Volt Premier two days ago and I love it. It has 15,000 miles on it and cost me $24,000 out the door. Excellent condition. I just wish there is a port for DC fast charger like the Outlander PHEV.

[@TheCreaTaur]

It's a shame that even with this car outselling the Bolt that Chevy will probably never bring it back. They'll just stop selling the Bolt as well and never put two and two together.

[@amadeusb4]

Agree! An electric only Volt with a Bolt's 60 KWh battery and rear wheel drive would be awesome. It would also have a frunk because the battery would be underneath & the Bolt's battery is flat so you would actually get a 3 person seat in the rear. That would give it a range of about 180 miles. If such an option was available, I would have bought it as I'm not a fan of the Bolt's design and ride.

[@igorgoga7985]

Hi, Can you charge the battery by driving on gas or you still need to plug it, pls?

[@jacksonbangs6603]

What type off gas does your Volt require? Regular or premium?

[@evtrekker1317]

2nd gen Volt generator requires Regular Unleaded, total 8.9gal. First gen is Premium unleaded and holds 9.3 gal.

[@terrya6486]

A gen 1 volt will run on anything you put in it the computer adjust for the different types of fuel

[@EforElectric]

First gen takes premium but the second gen takes regular.

[@markleyg]

Terry a not recommended by GM.

[@sonnijc]

Jackson Bangs regular!

[@inquirer1016]

Hi Alex, just wondering how much your monthly electric bill went up since you bought this car recharging at home.

[@rgeraldalexander4278]

Still loving my second Gen Volt after four years and 45K. Great range, and mileage.

[@robertm8380]

Alex can you skip gas and charge it at home with just electricity if you wanted and does it have torque like Telsa cars

[@terrya6486]

Yes you can choose to drive all electric or you can drive all gas or a combination thereof both

[@keithw32123]

It has 290 pound feet of instant torque. More than a six cylinder Subaru Outback. We drive 80 percent of our miles all electric.

[@EforElectric]

I could just drive it electric within my daily needs. But I do need to use gas when I travel long distance.

[@mikeyc8139]

It rips to 30 MPH quickly, almost as quick as a Model 3. Acceleration above 40 is maybe "average" at best, but it really jolts off the line. There aren't a lot of 4 door commuter cars that will beat it through an intersection but by maybe 50 or 60 MPH, a lot of them will be going around you. I think it's OK that way. 0-30 is important in town and even when merging into traffic. When you reach 30 in a little over 2 seconds, you're already cranking off distance so other cars don't barrel up on you from behind.

[@pdken3081]

Thanks for your review and enthusiasm. It shows that, in some respects at least, Tesla still has a way to go.

[@tomzito2585]

Regen paddle, lane change monitors on the mirrors, selection of dash skins, quieter ride, value for dollar. Did you watch the video?

[@adamwiseman5831]

Yes my volts my favorite car Iv ever owned.

[@TommyboyGTP]

Is it a 2019 with the faster charging?

[@JBoy340a]

Completely agree with your comment about Tesla missing things like blind spot detection. I was shocked to see this. At least they realize it and are adding it with the v9 software. But they still do not have a light in the side mirrors.

[@iamjohnny6288]

Hey Alex, are you not interested in owning/ leasing a Model 3 as a daily driver? Especially when the value is better at $35k..?

[@EforElectric]

Well, you can't get it for $35K and you can't lease it. So, that's out of the question, isn't it? But no, for the long distance driving I don't care to supercharge, it takes way too long. It has to take as long as gassing a car.

[@cruiser97eric1]

What do you think about the Taycan's expected ability to gain 160 mile range in 10 minutes when charging at 350KW? I am thinking that is the bare minimum charging rate I would accept on a BEV, unless there is something very special in the vehicle that justifies overlooking the pain of slower charging. For example, the Bollinger B1 is special enough that I would be tempted to accept less than 350KW charging.

[@heyitsfp]

Best commuter car ever made. A shame they did not market it properly and stopped production.

[@aceaustralian]

Great review. Thank you!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Well done, Alex! Your review was spot on. I've never heard anything negative about the first or second generation VOLT. Congratulations on your wise decision and I agree that it would've been awesome to have the EV BOLT made on this same chassis.

[@GH-oi2jf]

Mitchell Barnow - I don’t think you can just put a pure EV on any chassis because of the size of the battery.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

GH1618 I was thinking more about the styling of the VOLT, I shouldn’t have said chassis.

[@MrKscollier]

I like the design of the Volt much more then the Bolt. I hope they will make an EV version of the Volt soon.😊

[@EforElectric]

Exactly my thoughts!!!

[@ertreri]

why would you not use your tesla for commute?

[@pixelfairy]

looks like you got it just in time!

[@Widdermaker]

Agree with most of your comments, although I will say my 2016 Tesla Model S is just as quiet as my 2012 Volt was on electric. I think Tesla put more sound insulation in their cars starting in 2016 (I had a 2014 Model S at one point). I think if Chevy put a little bit larger battery in the Volt so you could get 70-80 miles of all-electric range, they’d have a winner. My round-trip daily commute is about 55 miles, and I used to hate it when the gas engine hum would start up - very harsh after the silky smooth Volt EV ride. Better yet, I wish GM (and all car companies) would fully embrace EV’s and commit to a charging infrastructure, like Tesla. What a positive difference the world will be when 90%+ of the vehicles on the road are electric! I hope I live to see (& hear) the day!

[@wristschatz1454]

Only thing that is bad about this car is the visibility. I drove this back to back with the new Leaf and it was pretty bad.

[@crpunks]

How did you get such a good deal on your lease? Which dealership did you use? I’m also in northern Cali.

[@EforElectric]

Kuni Chevrolet but it was 3 months ago and I have a really good credit score :-)

[@crpunks]

Thanks, man. Last weekend I went with my friend to the SAME dealership and got her a lease for new Volt. It was last day of the month and last day of the quarter, so we were hoping for great deals. Initially they told us the deal is $453/mo for 36mo lease! We got it down to $350/mo with 5k down. Her credit is also excellent.. Did you have to bargain hard for your deal? Or this deal was advertised somewhere?

[@hacattack]

You should do a follow up video to discuss some of the things you don't like about the Volt. For me it's the slow charger and the limited space in the rear passenger seating area.

[@255f145c15w]

I agree, this is indeed an attractive and sleek car and also agree, they could have made the Bolt look similar to this instead of being "fugly".

[@jamespeterson7100]

I would definitely think of getting one!

[@benfaust]

I get around 50 miles per charge on my 2012 Volt.

[@johnkennedy8693]

What are you doing to get that?

[@tarassu]

It's not very tiny ICE. And what's the thing with your SuC stops being too long. Aka 20 minutes.

[@Andy.mikhail137]

They should have taken the bolt ev tech and put it in the volt's body... Would have sold waaay more EVs

[@MrRogermorris]

I do like

[@toddbenfield6546]

Actually cheaper on trips than Tesla! here in NC! I get 45-50 mpg on gas. Super chargers cost you more. I own a gen 1, and 2. Owned gen 1 for 6 yrs, and only tires, and 2 oil changes👍 no other issues after 63,000 miles. Gen 2 is even better, and prolly 20 % more efficient. Sad Chevy killed this car👎

[@loctite222ms]

Man, are the Tesla fans going to hate you!

[@EforElectric]

Not Tesla fans. Tesla fan boys and they already do so they have long unsubscribed from this channel :-)

[@mikedunn7795]

I was considering a Leaf to replace my Civic,but I've read of the shenanigans Leaf has been up to with their batteries,so I will be looking at a Volt or a Bolt. Tesla is out of my price range. Too bad you can't buy bio-gasoline for the Volt. That would make it 100% ecologically sound.

[@mattschaffer1449]

Chevy Volt is the best I bought the Nissan Leaf in my battery in bed should have bought volt

[@glenndjubilee]

I also question why Chevy didn't electrify the Volt. It makes perfect sense. We have a Bolt. Going on four weeks and we love it!

[@terrya6486]

It would be very hard to modify the volt to carry 60 kilowatt-hours of battery they'd have to redesign the whole card put the battery in the floor they don't want to do that

[@DudeAutonomy]

40 miles? There’s something wrong with your Volt. I drive 80mph and get over 50 miles AER during my commute. You don’t need the Bolt’s battery in a Volt when the average commute is less than 50 miles.

[@bryanchannell7715]

I can boost gas effeciency 30 percent on average so no

[@KillroyX99]

E for Electric, do you still own this car? How is it doing?

[@bryanchannell7715]

No bc i can acheive 45 mpg with 150 or less dollars on gas, so thats prolly 1500% cheaper than the electric motor and battery id rather just do that and all ELECTRIC

[@loungelizard836]

What's the mpg? My 2012 is disappointing in mpg at about 35 to 40. I end up taking the Prius to save gas on anything over 200 miles.

[@workoutwithrob1700]

My 2017 gets 43-46 mpg. Thats almost all highway. Also it only calls for regular gas compared to premium in yours.

[@keithw32123]

Do you mean what is the mpg when the battery is fully charged versus when it is empty? I go 55 miles on 14 kwh so US $ 1.4 dollars at 10 cents a kwh to go 55 miles. When the battery is empty I get 45 mpg on regular gas. So far I am at 80 percent EV miles.

[@wzDH106]

40 + mpg 75 mph freeway cruising. We were averaging 49-51mpg the other day in the country back roads with a dead battery. 85% of the 35000 clocked miles have been on the battery thus far.

[@thomasjacques5286]

I have owned my 2017 Volt for 26 months as my DD here in southern IL and am driving over 97% of the miles from the battery. Have had ZERO warranty issues (did have 3 software updates - recall's). You can check out my driving/mileage/range stats on VOLTSTATS.NET my alias is Von Zipper. I love the Volt, it's so mis-understood. Oh and have gotten over 45 mpg the few hundred gas miles I have driven.

[@joeldusart397]

Maybe some more numbers... How much did you pay for it, and what is the 0-60 compared to your tesla ?

[@EforElectric]

You should really watch the video before commenting, Joel. If you do - it'll answer both of your questions ( or the reason why I didn't include that in the video ). Plus, seriously? You care about 0-60 of a Chevy Volt? LOL

[@imho7250]

Joel Dusart, @3:45

[@tomzito2585]

Seven seconds.

[@InSaN3ViSioN]

0-30 in 2.3 seconds. Takes off on every car from a stop to the speed limit. I smoke Tesla's all the time

[@Vagus32000]

Leasing a car is a waste of money. Buy it and flush the money you’d save down the toilet if you wanna waste it that badly

[@brandoncrouch246]

Volt is the best EV on Earth if you can't afford a Tesla. This my Batmobile Volt i.imgur.com/ogLobIp.jpg

[@williamerazo1685]

I thought you had a Tesla

[@EforElectric]

I also have a Tesla Model S. I'm allowed to have more than one car :-)

[@FlorestanTrement]

This "Blindspot assistance" thing seems really strange to me… Why not simply having the mirror curved at its end instead, like most other cars? It's simpler, more elegant and probably a lot cheaper. Also, I don't get why you call this a small car… It's big enough to make finding a parking space difficult. Did you ever see a smart for 2? That is a small car…

[@cbcdesign001]

Blind spot is a great feature and most car wing mirrors have blind spots which is why this feature is now common on many vehicles. Curved micros are not the answer, they can distort the reflected image.

[@rlitwin]

Technically, I think the Volt is classified as a compact car. I grew up in the 80s though, so I don't get why cars that are in the compact category are not considered mid-sized. I drive a smart fortwo EV I love zipping it around and parking it easily. The Volt, to me, is a good size for freeway drives, but for city streets it would feel big to me too.

[@EforElectric]

I love the blind spot assist. It's easy because it's another way to make sure you don't get into an accident.

[@FlorestanTrement]

@cbcdesign: Of course, they distort the image a bit, but are good enough for this purpose. I have one on my 18 yo car and find it very effective. I suppose you didn't have the opportunity to try it ? @Alex: Sure, it's easier, and probably a bit safer. If it's reliable and that you have the money to pay for it, and I doubt it's a cheap feature. I don't say it's a bad one, but the curved end of the mirror doesn't break down and probably costs less than 30$. The kind of things that should be mandatory on both mirrors unless you have cameras.

[@JBoy340a]

Blind spot assistance is really the light that reminds the driver to look in the mirror. Many drivers, me included, sometimes fail to check their side mirrors. The little blind spot light catches your eye and you focus on that mirror.

[@luisbarron6370]

Upcoming cars channel stole the review

[@rareview362]

I thought the same thing; the Volt should become all-electric. The Bolt is a disgrace to electric cars. Dinky parts. Awkward engineering. It's like they wanted to make a joke of electric cars. The car felt like a circus test driving. GM should really resurrect Saturn and bring them back all-electric. That's what I'd do as CEO.

[@GH-oi2jf]

TruthSeeker - Saturn was a disgrace. It was supposed to compete with Japanese cars, but didn’t compare well. The Cruze is the car Saturn should have been. The Volt is built on a Cruze platform. There will be a new platform in about 2022, but I doubt they will make anything called Saturn.

[@rareview362]

@@GH-oi2jf I have an Aura. It's a tank. Never stops. Well designed.

[@sethtotten]

I would never get one again. No lumbar support.

[@NepNepYT]

yawn...

[@tarassu]

Ioniq PHEV. Better... so wtf. dislike