2012 Chevrolet Volt User Reviews

Pros

Great technology

Cons

Slightly higher price premium

Purchased As New

The Volt is a modern marvel. It is an American engineering achievement. It is also the best performing EV/Hybrid under $40k that has the best mpg.

Pros

1000 miles, used 3 gallons of gas so far.

Cons

leg in back seats, but not a concern to me.

Purchased As New

Couldn't be happier with the Volt. Needs to be more affordable for the masses, but when it is, no more foreign oil concerns. I have never been happier with a car, the sound system is outstanding with no background engine noise.

Pros

Energy cost ver very low

Cons

rear seats (2) tight for a 5"-8" or higher

Purchased As New

Similar to the previous reviewer from CA, I own a second generation Prius (2007) with close to 150K miles and wanted to rest my Malibu and Avalanche truck, looked for an appropriate birthday present to my wife and opted for the Volt among Camry Hybrid, Prius plug-in and Leaf. I paid 42K before 7.5K tax incentive, put 4,200 down, finance the rest to 60 months 0% with a final payment of 637 - 125 of tax credit, net monthly payment of 513, what a steal, we anticipate to save $ 330 on gas alone by driving 25,000 miles/year, with $ 0.05 KWh in CA off-peak rate; 25,000 miles/4 KWh/mile x .05 = $ 312.5/year on electricity. If compare with the Malibu 25,000miles/25mpgX 4.25 per gal = $ 4,250/year on gas, we are talking $ 4,000/year savings. Trust me, in 8 years the Volt will pay back by itself, I do not know who said the VOLT is not for the masses. It is true there is a higher cost at front, but on the long run the EV is the way to go. On the other note, my wife is in love with this car, the soft driving, cornering, and style, the Volt can compare to germans (BMW, Audi, etc) and top of the line japanese brands (Lexus & Acura). We typically charge twice during the weekday and once on wekends (40x 2 x 5 + 40 x 2 = 500 per week), we use very low gas on between charges. My wife and daugher carpool and commute most of the time with the VOLT, stating the pleasure to drive this little car with amazing features, On-star, XMRadio, large display navigation, nice comfort front seats, etc, etc....read morehide

Pros

Very good fuel economy, smooth ride, stylish

Cons

A bit expensive when puchasing all the premium options

Purchased As New

I have owned a Prius since 2006 and bought a 2012 Volt with all the options and special color one month ago.
My personal experience has been that the fuel economy is much better than with the Prius. Have bought 2.5 gallons of fuel for the Volt since I bought it.
The ride of the Volt is very smooth, quiet and the car handles like a solidly built car. I think the car is very stylish. Have been asked by friends and strangers to discuss the car when the have spotted the car. Reviews have always been favorable.
The instrument panel is extensive, the radio sound is outstanding, having a 30 GB hard drive and having OnStar for three years are nice features. Love the included OnStar app on my phone which allows me to start the car and heat it before driving it....read morehide

Pros

60 cents a night for electricity to go the first 40 miles each day!

Cons

I can't haul as much stuff as a pickup. Only seats four people.

Purchased As New

1. It drives, rides, and looks like an expensive luxury sports sedan, because it IS all of those, and then some. At the same time it is totally unmatched in it's low maintenance cost, and fuel economy. And it has all the tech stuff you could wish for, Bluetooth, NAV, XM/FM/AM, DVD, AUX and USB inputs, 30 gig for MP3 or talking books, Backup Camera, and the Best traction, antilock, and anti-spin control I have ever seen. All that and it is quieter and smoother driving than the best Rolls Royce!
After almost one and a half years and 14,000 miles my lifetime average is over 340 miles per gallon of gas used. It would be higher, but 1300 miles were on long road trips, which were partly on gas. I am saving over $200 a month on gas bills! Everyone in the USA NEEDS this car, or one like it!...read morehide

Pros

The great drive characteristics, fuel economy, CA HOV lane access

Cons

The Volt's low under-car black front air dam scrapes driveways.

Purchased As New

I have a 2nd Gen Prius & a Volt (first American car I’ve owned) so I have some basis to compare them. To sum it up: In Calif. the new Prius goes for MSRP & costs nearly $43K ($36K for car & options + 8.5% CA tax + $4K in 5 year loan interest), while the Volt goes for invoice & costs $40K ($44 for car & options + 8.5% CA tax + $0K for GM 5 year loan @ 0% interest - $9K in Fed/State tax incentives). MPG: After several thousand Bay Area commute miles I am getting an average 80mpg. Also, the 3 yr CA HOV Lane access that comes with the Volt is priceless - it saves me 50 min on daily commutes. Regarding the drive characteristics: The best way that I can describe how the Volt drives & handles is that it is solid & competent. The doors close with a solid thud & when underway, the steering is connected to the road & the cabin is extremely quiet. Said differently, the Volt drives like a much larger/more competent ‘regular’ car without engine noise (oh, and the Volt accelerates much faster than the Prius, i.e. much better low-end torque). The 3rd Gen Prius (like the 2nd Gen I own) is bouncy & jittery, loud, has a numb steering feel & is tinny – don’t get me wrong, I expect this from a light car that gets extremely high mileage...but compared to the Volt, the Prius is a golf cart. It's no wonder that the Volt has won so many ‘Car of the Year’ awards & Consumer Reports' super high marks....read morehide

Pros

Cutting edge American technology

Cons

Cost - but hopefully will come down as production improves economy of scale

Purchased As Not Purchased

I must say, the only ones with negative reviews either had a misunderstanding of how the Volt works and/or they had not purchased a Volt. I only wish I coiled afford this car!!

Pros

I don't know yet but i want to get this car in the future

Cons

I'm riding a prius right now

Purchased As Not Purchased

a volt offers 40 miles of pure electric and offers several hundred miles more until the next charging with the help of a gas engine generator. Are they serious? several hundred miles? what if I'm on a long drive from chicago to montreal canada? do I really have to do a stop over to charge the battery? This is why nissan leaf could never take off....I think GM knows about the parallel system of toyota hybrids with the gas engine and electric motor. GM should capture that parallel system of toyota in order to be competitive. And with the high price tag? of a midsize or compact sedan? I'm not crazy yet but I really want to get this car, not because of quality but because I wanted to support American Cars. We should support american cars here in america, but try to let us drive with confidence that we could reach our destination....read morehide

Pros

handling, acceleration, fun to drive, excelent workmenship and design

Cons

longer battery range

Purchased As New

I had my Volt for almost 15 months. I have close to 7200 miles and used 11.6 gallons. The car drive very quite, smooth with no gears change, it have great acceleration from stand still and great handling with its battery pack mounted at the bottom of the car.

Pros

Fuel economy, luxury appointments, handling, acceleration

Cons

center console controls a bit complicated

Purchased As New

Ditto to the other positive reviews regarding fuel economy, strong acceleration, and tight handling. I'm using almost zero gasoline.

I think some of the negative reviews, focused solely on purchase price vs. gas savings, are a little off base. This is an expensive car, but once you consider the $7,500 tax credit, the cost comes down to something similar (even below) a typical gas-guzzling luxury car. And mine IS a luxurious vehicle -- comfortable, leather, front and read bucket seats, Bose sound, MP3 player with hard drive, 3 free years of On Star, voice commands for both navigation and radio, and good looks. And of course, it's incredibly quiet without engine noise.

The Volt is too expensive for the masses, but so is a Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, and about half the SUVs . The real question is: If you can afford a mid-level luxury car, do you want one that burns gas or runs on electricity?...read morehide