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2016 Chevrolet Volt Road Test | Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com
Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,315
The 2016 Chevrolet Volt is the first full redesign of GM's pioneering plug-in hybrid, and it benefits greatly from substantial improvements across the board. Electric range is now within shouting distance of some dedicated electric vehicles, while its gasoline fuel economy is up considerably. A much-improved cabin also goes a long way toward making this one of the best plug-in hybrids on the market.
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But saying this is a Prius-beater is a bit of a misnomer. Most Priiiiiii are not the plug-in variety and Chevy simply has no answer for those. Once Chevy has developed a dedicated non-plug in hybrid that out-Priuses the Prius for $24K, then we can make that claim.
The Gen 2 Volt would even be way better as now, the average owners would have more than 90% of their trips in pure electric miles, and yet don't have to use another vehicle for the out of range trips to anywhere, complete freedom without worrying about charging station availability.
The car still retains the same 101mph speed limiter, but it certainly gets there quicker than the 2013 does. It is noticeably quicker at all speeds than the 2013. It feels more balanced as well, and cornering speeds have increased. The digital display says the electric motor will peak at 120kW of thrust, which is 160 HP for us Americans. The acceleration feels more than 160HP though, and the car feels lighter than it really is. It will spin the tires fairly easy, it could benefit from stickier tires. But the 2013 needs stickier rubber as well.
The car lost 243lb with most the loss in the nose, so F/R weight ratio has improved. The tires are now lower profile but are still 215 wide on 17x7" rims. The 2013 Volt was no slouch on a tight course, but the 2016 probably going to bury it.
It's not the same kind of car as a Prius, so it confuses me why it's compared so often to the Toyota. The Prius has a low power gas engine with a lower power electric assist, and small tires. The Volt has a powerful set of electric motors with a weaker 101 hp gasoline range extender and wide low profile tires. The Volt does not use both power sources together (although I could really dig having 261HP on tap). Electric HP has more area under the curve than gasoline peak HP numbers, since the power is everywhere. The Prius claims 134HP combined, but it sure doesn't feel like it, or perform like it.
The Prius is not nimble or sporty, many concessions were made to save fuel, the Volt is more of a driver's car that just happens to save fuel as a side effect. You don't buy a Volt just to save gas. You buy it because it doesn't have to suck to drive a fuel saving car. You can have fun and save the planet at the same time.
As far as fuel savings go? Not enough seat time in the 2016 yet, but our 2013 has 13,000 miles on it and has used just under 40 gallons of gasoline in the process. Since we get our EV discount from the electric company, we pay about 3 cents a mile to fuel it if my math is correct. Doesn't really matter to us though. The Volt is a premium driving experience in an urban setting, and is worth the premium price.