I have a 2011 Volt with 65,000 miles on it. I haven't noticed any significant battery degradation and I still love driving it each and every day. I average around 122 miles per gallon. So far I've only needed one oil change, washer fluid and two sets of tires. The electric torque gives it strong acceleration and plenty of passing power. I use a regular 110 volt outlet at home and enjoy always waking up to a "full tank".
I have a 2014 Volt and LOVE IT! It is by far the best car I have ever owned and is the first one where I had no buyer's guilt after I left the dealer. A couple things for those that may be considering the VOLT. The spoiler air dam under the bumper does rub when going up and down driveways at times. It is flexible and is designed to do so, therefore, its not that big of a deal. However, if you don't like hearing it rub against the ground when going up a driveway, etc., GM will install a shorter one for free if the warranty is still good on the car. Also, some complain about road noise with the windows down. It does get a lot of buffeting noise if the wiondows are down and you do over 30 mph. However, GM has a fix for that as well if you ask the dealer about the anti-buffeting kit that is installed for free (as long as it is still under warranty). I had mine done and I have noticed no reduction in electric range (still get between 41-49 miles per charge) and it is nice to drive with the windows down and not have to yell over the noise to the person sitting next to you. the car is AMAZING and is well worth the consideration to get one.
Great review. I absolutely LOVE my 2012 Volt. I use it exclusively as a commuter car and almost never use gas. Never had a single problem with it and it's really fun to drive. If any of you ever want to know how good of a car a Volt is, just talk to an owner. The naysayers will never understand...
Good review and even though it is from 2013 it is still relevant. I have a 2014 Volt with 65k miles on it. I also have 7.5MW/yr solar. A Volt (or any EV) complements solar and vice versa, especially here in San Diego with the highest kwh rates in the country. There are many days one of us will drive almost the full battery range early in the day, then recharge some to drive on battery by evening. The solar fully powers our house, including some AC in the summer and all our EV battery needs of about 10k miles a year. We only use the gas mode on long trips, maybe 1.5k miles a year or just ~50 gallons of gas. Too bad Chevy is discontinuing the Volt but they just don't make money on it. No profit when sold and they rarely need any service. Just tires and three oil changes so far for us.
Volt is an incredible car. I will soon be getting a Tesla and cannot wait for that. But overall the Volt is one of the best cars you can buy. Its a really cool looking car too. 20k miles on mine and only about 400 miles of gas used, the rest all electric!
You're right about the inline 4. I was thinking of Via Motors. Secondly, the generator is a generator. It only provides electricity to the battery and the electric motor. This is a series hybrid, not a parallel hybrid like the Prius. Unlike the Prius, only the electric motor spins the wheels. These batteries are fully warrantied for 100,000 miles or 8 years. They are warrantied for no less than 30% degradation.
Great review. I also had 2 Passat TDIs ... they were both new ideas at the time (96 and 97) ... people just did not understand why I'd want a diesel (49mpg ... that's why) ... the new ones are not at good on the mpg ... so I figured I'd try a Volt.
One thing that I have never seen any review of the Chevy volt is that even though the battery gets depleted it doesn’t get completely depleted 100% when you come to a stop after using gas say that you’re in town you will use the battery all the way around the town for the most part because it has that much reserve left in it and of course the engine has been charging the battery the whole time you’ve been using gas quite nice actually
Congrats on having two Volts. I can't brag enough about my '13 and find it amusing how clueless the general public (that haven't driven one) jump on the hater bandwagon. That's alright.. it will be our little secret!
I have a 2011 Volt with 65,000 miles on it. I haven't noticed any significant battery degradation and I still love driving it each and every day. I average around 122 miles per gallon. So far I've only needed one oil change, washer fluid and two sets of tires. The electric torque gives it strong acceleration and plenty of passing power. I use a regular 110 volt outlet at home and enjoy always waking up to a "full tank".
This is one of the best Volt reviews I've ever seen. Well done.
I have a 2014 Volt and LOVE IT! It is by far the best car I have ever owned and is the first one where I had no buyer's guilt after I left the dealer. A couple things for those that may be considering the VOLT. The spoiler air dam under the bumper does rub when going up and down driveways at times. It is flexible and is designed to do so, therefore, its not that big of a deal. However, if you don't like hearing it rub against the ground when going up a driveway, etc., GM will install a shorter one for free if the warranty is still good on the car. Also, some complain about road noise with the windows down. It does get a lot of buffeting noise if the wiondows are down and you do over 30 mph. However, GM has a fix for that as well if you ask the dealer about the anti-buffeting kit that is installed for free (as long as it is still under warranty). I had mine done and I have noticed no reduction in electric range (still get between 41-49 miles per charge) and it is nice to drive with the windows down and not have to yell over the noise to the person sitting next to you. the car is AMAZING and is well worth the consideration to get one.
Great video. I am one of those people that gets over 1000 miles per gallon!
Great review. I absolutely LOVE my 2012 Volt. I use it exclusively as a commuter car and almost never use gas. Never had a single problem with it and it's really fun to drive. If any of you ever want to know how good of a car a Volt is, just talk to an owner. The naysayers will never understand...
Good review and even though it is from 2013 it is still relevant. I have a 2014 Volt with 65k miles on it. I also have 7.5MW/yr solar. A Volt (or any EV) complements solar and vice versa, especially here in San Diego with the highest kwh rates in the country. There are many days one of us will drive almost the full battery range early in the day, then recharge some to drive on battery by evening. The solar fully powers our house, including some AC in the summer and all our EV battery needs of about 10k miles a year. We only use the gas mode on long trips, maybe 1.5k miles a year or just ~50 gallons of gas. Too bad Chevy is discontinuing the Volt but they just don't make money on it. No profit when sold and they rarely need any service. Just tires and three oil changes so far for us.
Former Toyota Prius driver here, I love 2013 Volt had it for one year I'm getting 188 miles per gallon
Just purchased this car this year for 9k. Thank God for depreciation otherwise I would never be able to purchase this amazing car
Volt is an incredible car. I will soon be getting a Tesla and cannot wait for that. But overall the Volt is one of the best cars you can buy. Its a really cool looking car too. 20k miles on mine and only about 400 miles of gas used, the rest all electric!
I like your oldskool narrative style!
You're right about the inline 4. I was thinking of Via Motors. Secondly, the generator is a generator. It only provides electricity to the battery and the electric motor. This is a series hybrid, not a parallel hybrid like the Prius. Unlike the Prius, only the electric motor spins the wheels.
These batteries are fully warrantied for 100,000 miles or 8 years. They are warrantied for no less than 30% degradation.
Thanks for the information, I really like your take and concern about people learning how cars work before judging and just making assumptions.
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Great review. I also had 2 Passat TDIs ... they were both new ideas at the time (96 and 97) ... people just did not understand why I'd want a diesel (49mpg ... that's why) ... the new ones are not at good on the mpg ... so I figured I'd try a Volt.
One thing that I have never seen any review of the Chevy volt is that even though the battery gets depleted it doesn’t get completely depleted 100% when you come to a stop after using gas say that you’re in town you will use the battery all the way around the town for the most part because it has that much reserve left in it and of course the engine has been charging the battery the whole time you’ve been using gas quite nice actually
Outstanding review ! Straight to the point, thorough, and informative from start to finish 👍
I like your review.
Congrats on having two Volts. I can't brag enough about my '13 and find it amusing how clueless the general public (that haven't driven one) jump on the hater bandwagon. That's alright.. it will be our little secret!
Great review.... We have a TDI and love it for highway but in the city not so good. The Volt would be my next purchase.
Nice review. I am considering the Volt