It's capable of much more, but I got addicted to that electric torque, and electricity's cheap as hell, so who cares? It did a nice job of preserving an EV-like feel and had enough power to climb hills and reach highway speeds. The lower anchors are recessed deep into the seat. Here are five reasons why I think you'll like it. Give us a call at (866) 610-3718 or visit us to test drive this GMC Sierra 1500 today. The front seats are fairly roomy, but the rear seats are cramped. We recently leased a 2016 Fiat 500e for my daughter. Leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel are available. I try sliding my left leg under the brake pedal. Bottom Line: If we look past the series of recalls, seat discomfort and occasional phone integration glitches, this Volt is arguably the best plug-in hybrid on the road. Just about everything is dramatically better compared to the first-generation model. It didn't matter much because I had my laptop and plenty of work to do, and they had WiFi access, a nice waiting room desks and hot coffee. In the Volt's case, that's 106 MPGe. Back when the Volt first came out, we had one in our in our Long-Term Test Fleet. A few days ago, I was driving our 2016 Chevrolet Volt for the first time. To survive, I time-shift and work an East Coast schedule, setting my alarm at 4:15 am in order to get on the road at 5:00 am (OK, usually 5:15 am), at which point I have a decent chance of getting to work by 6:00 am. We do our best to separate miles driven solely via battery power versus those motivated by gasoline. 3) Quick responses. Back in 2011, when we took delivery of our first long-term Chevrolet Volt test car, the Chevy seemed so glamorous and high-tech. But I digress. One thing I haven't quite wrapped my head around though is how Chevy decided to integrate a control for maximum regenerative braking. The new Volt represented a step above the first-gen car in every way. Will Kaufman, associate staff writer, "After five minutes I was in business and on the road, where the system worked beautifully. The 2017 Chevy Volt can seat up to five. But with our long-term Volt in my driveway, the temptation to just hop in and drive is certainly there. Fill up with gas before the electric power is fully depleted, and there is another data gap. One must hoist whatever up and over the bumper and then lower it onto the cargo floor. The electric motor makes no noise, meaning the only sounds you'll hear are rushing wind and tire noise on the pavement." Sure, the Volt's driving range has grown, but so have our expectations. The standard charger was right in front but the valet mentioned he would have to wait a while to use it because that section of the lot was reserved just for the cars in the event I was attending. I drove it around for a big chunk of the weekend with no juice left and didn't mind a bit. No use uncoiling a second cord if you don't have to, right?" Arriving home with 20 miles made it easy to feel confident that the battery would be full enough on the slow-motion 120-volt charge to make it in the following morning. I must admit that I was startled when Siri spoke up unexpectedly, offering to read me an incoming text. With more alternative-fuel vehicles on the market, including the BMW i3 we're currently testing, the 2016 Volt faces more competition, and perhaps a tougher audience, this time around. Prior to this, General Motors' backup cameras have been some of the worst in the industry thanks to its first-generation-camera-phone resolution. Others simply coalesce into a big pot of nope. No big deal since Waze alerts come over the car's speakers if the phone is plugged in. A portable home kit. Comfort "The Volt soaks up small bumps like a typical midsize sedan. It does a good job of maintaining the set temperature without constantly adjusting the fan speed, something that not every automatic setup does well. The world still needs Mustangs and Corvettes and 911s and things of that nature. thank you, Chevy, for the extendable sun visors), but on my commute there were moments when the chrome surround of the bowtie on the steering wheel reflected the afternoon sun directly into my eyeballs. When I got into the Volt recently, I remembered that it used the same system and immediately started using it. His slog between home and Edmunds HQ is a round trip of 120 miles to my 80. This gave me enough grip and leverage to turn the hook back into place. The interior's dimensions are unchanged, which means the back seat is still tight for adults." "[The interior] is more upscale than the previous model's, with two-tone color schemes, easy-to-use audio and climate controls and a pair of 8-inch information screens. Carlos Lago "Most importantly (and unlike the Bolt EV), the Volt doesn't look dorky." I wouldn't subject any of my friends to a three-wide ride in the rear of the Volt unless it were absolutely necessary, and even then, I might just call an UberXL instead. Interior dimensions with the second-row seatbacks in place measured approximately 29 inches deep by 38 inches wide at the wheelwells. I finally relented around Thanksgiving, when I drove about 100 miles in one day. The Volt indicated it wouldn't be full until 5 p.m. Not quite the outcome I'd hoped for after 11 charging hours, and decidedly behind my friend's typical 10.5-hour pace. Max electric-only range upward of 70 miles. Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing, Performance "I live 46 miles from work, and the 2016 Volt has plenty of electric range to get home on a full charge. But if you just want to keep it simple and use the Volt's regular brake pedal exclusively, I think you'll be pleased. A multi-info display between the main gauges lets you use buttons on the steering wheel to monitor speed, battery use and myriad other functions." Last month, GM said it will be cutting. The Blazer EV gets 59.2-cubic feet of space with the 2nd row folded down. We were unable to close the lid with two checked-size bags, though it fit other configurations without issue." I was planning to take an Uber at my own expense, so that was a welcome surprise. If you assume coasting while in Drive is regen/deceleration level one, then getting off the accelerator while in Low is like level two. It's awesome. Then there was an emergency vehicle that forced me to pull over. --, "Front-seat room is fine, but the rear seat is still on the tight side for taller passengers, while the new fifth seating position is for short trips only." Nobody walks in Edmunds.com's hometown of L.A., or so the saying (or song) goes. And it did. Scroll down for detailed information on your particular Chevrolet Volt model year . Mike Magrath, features editor. After 42 or so miles the batteries had depleted and switched over to the gasoline engine. Recall 40240: Inspect the fuel feed pipe for leaks. They argued that my meager attempt at lunch-break recharging didn't constitute real EV living; to do it right, I'd need to try some overnight home charging. So I gave it another chance. We pay all the taxes in the world here in California and the roads are all terrible. A few more horsepower here, an inch more legroom there, and perhaps a "boldly styled!" A more questionable aspect, however, is headroom. "Turn right in 140 miles," was the navigation command. Check the cargo space for other makes and models Mike Schmidt, Senior Manager, Vehicle Testing, "Here's one for the 'What Was I Thinking?' Unfortunately, unlike other hatchbacks, the Volt has a significant liftover height. The Society of Automotive Engineers standardized the plug some years back. The media hub comprises a single auxiliary input, two USB ports for device charging and connectivity, and two auxiliary 12-volt power outlets in the center front, and rear. Electrons are cheaper, but they aren't free. Based on my experience with our old 2014 BMW i3, I estimated I would make it out of the office with the Volt around 10 a.m.. But I also like how the electric future looks. The oil change and tire rotation cost $45.70 and took about 30 minutes. Most redesigned vehicles these days are incrementally improved. The 2015 Chevrolet Volt has 10.6 ft3 of trunk space. We're all used to pushbutton start, plugging-in and watching for the "switchover" indication that you've just moved from electric power to gasoline. It still has enough unique touches to make it different, yet it doesn't feel like it's trying too hard. I can't tell you how much I hate the front license plate requirement. The Volt also boasts a long list of. But that kind of driving isn't really in the spirit of the thing, so I took it to a charge spot at the mall and let it juice up while I took a coffee break. W-K Chevrolet Buick GMC has This 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD in SEDALIA. Alas, that's how my Wednesday started with our 2016 Chevrolet Volt. Mike Magrath, Content Strategist. They are surprisingly comfortable. "But what happens next is where the annoyance sets in immediately following a Waze alert (or, I suspect, similar such actions from apps running natively on the phone), the Volt's audio system always switches over to playing your phone's music. In keeping with the fast-talking, Vegas hustler theme, I'll present my impressions in rapid-fire fashion. 3: When you shift into drive, the Volt locks itself. The 2018 Chevrolet Volt has 10.6 ft3 of trunk space. One limitation within the space is the Volt's sloping rear hatch. It's perfectly placed for holding a cell phone. We're still gathering drive data on our 2016 Chevrolet Volt to compile meaningful numbers on our EV range and gas-engine mpg. The only real thing I was warned about was having to keep an eye on when the car switches over from EV to the engine; we use that number to calculate how far the Volt runs on battery-only power. The cover has four points that loop onto hooks. Seating is comfortable and spacious in the front seats, but rear-seat passengers will feel the squeeze. In that way, it's similar to the Prius and other hybrids. It's also cheaper and roomier. Cargo Volume Rear Seats Down: Scroll down and you'll notice a few posts about the curious brake paddle on the steering wheel of our 2016 Chevrolet Volt. Cue palm to forehead. OK, so that falls short of the Volt's EPA rating of 53 electric miles, and it's well eclipsed by Dan's 70-mile outing and the 62-mile performance we managed in an initial road test. Apparently the switchover is so subtle that you wouldn't notice when it happens. I'm okay with that. At home, I plugged in the Volt around 10:30 p.m. By 9:30 a.m., the battery had filled to about 60 percent, storing 33 miles of EV range. Suddenly I'm looking at the dash you see above. We were unable to close the lid with two checked-size bags, though it fit other configurations without issue. Available features include a wireless device charger, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, automatic parking assist, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, forward automatic braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with a following distance indicator. I even pointed out my awesomeness to my wife while we were out on a drive. But from an engineering and driving perspective, this car is a home run. Also, the slowing effect of the paddle is significant enough that it activates the brake lights every time you press it, but it won't actually bring you to a complete stop. I also like regular digital media player interface (for your older iPod, for example) for its quick file browsing and easily accessible functions. Alas, that's how my Wednesday started." But after numerous commutes of at least an hour or two, these seats held up well. Further options include $495 for navigation, $395 for the Kinetic Blue paint, $225 for the illuminated charge port, $110 for an all-weather cargo mat and $60 for a cargo net because the Volt still doesn't have a real cargo cover. The 2016 Volt was available in two trim levels. When we had our former 2011 Volt long-termer, we averaged 37.3 electric miles during a year of driving (EPA rating: 35 miles). On more than one occasion, I had to slam the brakes to get it to stop where I wanted." It doesn't hurt that we also have a rubber cargo mat." Across across each one the Chevy remains compliant. Note that I played with the paddle when the car was stopped and the transmission selector was in the typical "D" drive mode. "A more questionable aspect, however, is headroom. We've got cars today with multiple zones of climate control, each with its own fan speed. The Nissan LEAF has a starting price of $31,670, with the Nissan LEAF Plus starting at $38,270. On the 2,000-mile road trip to Oregon and back, the Volt ran exclusively on gasoline and returned 34.6 mpg. Compared against its extraordinarily busy April, May was a return to the norm for our 2016 Chevrolet Volt. Take away the conversation, the sound track, the background noise, and suddenly you're exposed to things you would've otherwise overlooked or ignored. Today's freeway pace was generally higher. But there's a valid argument for just driving the Volt in Drive mode and using the brake pedal like a regular car. Also. It starts to be more noticeable when climbing hills or cruising the fast lane on the freeway, but it's still quieter and more subdued than some other gasoline hybrids I can think of. The best fill mpg and best electric range remain unchanged. Several recall campaigns. Maintenance and Upkeep The Volt went to the dealer this month for routine service and a trio of recalls. Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor, Performance "Our Chevrolet Volt is easy to drive around town. What you can't see is the Sharpie in my wife's hand, waiting for me to align the V-shape of the bracket with the nose of the car and fit the notches at either side up against a step in the fascia. I wonder why Chevy opted against this feature. Contact us online or call for more information. What Kind of Fuel Economy Did It Get? The front of the cabin is spacious though, and the ergonomics intuitive and practical; the driving position is optimal with all controls in easy reach and the driver's sightlines clear for good outward visibility. Also, the rear window is narrow and short, so visibility suffers doubly. "But what happens next is where the annoyance sets in. You might be able to jam them in there, at the risk of crushing your bread and bruisin' your peaches." We bought a new Michelin Premier A/S tire after a flat damaged the original irreparably and the emergency tire goo wouldn't seal. Anyway, this is one isolated leg. Just like our old long-termer, the original 2011 Chevrolet Volt, this car is a four-seater in the real world. They are in plain sight, right next to the USB ports, and their edges are rough and unfinished. It's especially shocking since it's a hybrid the gasoline-electric versions of midsize sedans are generally compromised in ways significant enough to make you constantly say, "well, at least it gets 40 mpg.". The Chevy Bolt is the pricier of the two models, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $36,500 for the base model and $41,700 for Premier trim. Maintenance and Upkeep Vehicle Testing Assistant Mike Massey noticed a chip on the Volt's windshield, which Safelite repaired to the tune of $138.65 (see comment below). (DB). As a result, you can't really see the headlights of the vehicle behind you. We selected the Driver Confidence 1 package, with blind-spot, lane departure and cross-traffic alerts and the Driver Confidence 2 package, with lane keeping assist, low-speed auto-braking, auto high beams and forward collision warning. "You don't want to do that," said the guy at Selman Chevrolet, where we bought our 2016 Chevrolet Volt. Having said that, I found I drove our Volt with the rear seats down, turning it into a mini-truck. The Volt doesn't come to a complete stop this way, though. Add moisture in the form of light rain or morning dew and that changed. But I don't need to break down the numbers to know there's more in there. That's pretty neat, but it also made me wonder: When it's just using its electric battery power, how efficient is the Volt compared to other plug-in hybrids or even other EVs? There are many things to like about our new long-term 2016 Chevrolet Volt. It was a smart move, and one that works beautifully, with a sensible layout that includes a great new touch-screen infotainment display. That's right: Google Maps. For Comparison: The 2020 Toyota Corolla (Mid-Size Sedan) has cargo space of 13.1 ft3. But if I was going to own one of these I'd want to install a 240-volt Level 2 charge station at home. Not surprisingly, when I started it up, the automatic climate control went into full-power mode to try to cool things down. However, its interior is made with a lot of hard plastics, and rear-seat passengers will mostly likely feel constricted. "A reader commented that he wouldn't want to stack heavy items such as 50-pound bags of concrete inside the cargo area, but the area is well-supported underneath, so that whatever weight is placed is surprisingly well-distributed. Though the rear outboard seats are nicely contoured and the armrests soft-padded for comfortable adult occupation, the rear cabin space is limited, even for average-sized adults. On the downside, there is still a fair amount of hard plastic inside, detracting somewhat from the interior's otherwise excellent fit and finish." Example: My mom has been visiting me from out of town. The Volt is comprehensively outfitted with features that offer a decent level of comfort, convenience, and entertainment. It didn't have power seats and the spoiler scraped on everything. Fast forward a mere five years, and our new 2016 Chevrolet Volt test car doesn't feel so foreign anymore. Where Did We Drive It? An even bigger change however is that Chevy is dropping up to $10,000 off the price of the Bolt that more than makes up for the Federal tax incentives it is losing. Our 2011 Volt depreciated just 14 percent, although it had half as many miles at the time of sale. Awkward Dead Pedal Placement and Seating Position, 70 Miles on a Charge The Range Wars Begin Again, Performance Tested - A Deep Dive Into the Numbers, Still Has a Mountain Mode, but Seems Less Necessary, Could Reduce the Guilt for Driving To Get the Mail, 5 Reasons You'll Like the MyLink System Interface, Brake Pedal Feel Is Consistent, Easy To Modulate, Charge Time Surprise and the Importance of Power, 2016 Chevrolet Volt vs 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, More Traditional Design Is an Improvement, No Place in the Future for Physical Media. The Chevy Volt seats five and comes standard with cloth upholstery. Though is how Chevy decided to integrate a control for maximum regenerative braking close the lid with two bags! 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