Manage updates with the Download App2012 Chevrolet Volt
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Part number: 101388714
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Mileage has never varied more than it will between two 2012 Chevrolet Volt owners, but with regular charging, this part-time EV is capable of fantastic efficiency -- just don't look too hard at its dashboard.
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CNET editors' review
2012 Chevrolet Volt price range: $39,145.00
- Reviewed by: Antuan Goodwin
- Reviewed on: 06/14/2012
The good: The 2012 Chevrolet Volt features an extremely flexible power train, offering the best of electric efficiency and gasoline-powered range. Power delivery is smooth and effortless. A good array of standard cabin tech options and great-sounding premium audio are available.
The bad: The Volt's instrument cluster and dashboard are a cluttered mess. The brakes don't inspire confidence. The navigation system lacks advanced features.
The bottom line: Mileage has never varied more than it will between two 2012 Chevrolet Volt owners, but with regular charging, this part-time EV is capable of fantastic efficiency -- just don't look too hard at its dashboard.
User reviews
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302.5 MPG in First 6 Weeks! (1300 miles with 4.3 gal)
by laspaled on June 16, 2012
Pros: Super Gas Mileage
Great Driving Experience
My Smart Phone OnStar App
Affordable LeaseCons: Need.... More.... Charging... stations.....
Pedestrians literally walk into my car (parking lots)Summary: This car is the best possible car for me right now. My one-way commute to the office is 8 miles. With the 40 Mile all electric range I rarely kick ...
Summary: This car is the best possible car for me right now. My one-way commute to the office is 8 miles. With the 40 Mile all electric range I rarely kick the gas engine in. That being said I have the flexibility to go unlimited miles if I need to - Brilliant!
UPDATE IN RESPONSE TO BRUCESLOG -
I have had a couple of 100+ mile days and stayed over 40MPG during the gas portion of my trip. How do I know? The cars interface reports on EVERYTHING! MPKwh, MPG, Tire pressure, Oil Life. I'm surprised it doesn't report on methane levels when I fart.
The car is quiet... too quiet. I have to be super careful backing out of parking spots. People walking and texting beware, you will literally walk into my car and wonder why.
My favorite feature: The OnStar App. OnStar comes with the car for free for the first three years and that is the entire life of the lease that I have. I live in the desert and one of the coolest (literally) things is that I can turn on my air conditioner from the app. So when I ask for the check at a restaurant, hit the cash register at a store or when I shut my computer off from my office I turn on the A/C and I have a completely cool car when I get to the parking lot. Hot cabin days are over.
In my first 6 weeks I would have used Zero gas if there were public charging stations for me to use. The infrastructure to support these vehicles is still decades away. That being said I just use the 120V charger that came with the car because the car is in the garage 8 hours every night and I don't need a fast charge at home.
The car that I replaced was getting about 24 MPG. In my first 6 weeks I have saved 50 Gallons of gasoline which is about $200 in expense. I did spend about $50 in electricity to charge the car during that time (local rate .109 per kwh) so a net $150 savings for me. My car payment is about $50 more than my previous car so I am saving about $75 per month net. Not bad.
I would love to see more cars get the "Voltec" drive train. Maybe a small pickup next and then some smaller cars. If every American could drive the first 40 Miles of the Day on Electric we could Fire OPEC and stop sending our moneya and our military to the Middle East. And it would potentially save us $7 Billion a year in Foreign Tax credits and subsidies to impoverished companies like Exxon/Mobil. - sorry for the editorial on a car review... but for me that was part of the equation in selecting a Volt.
Updated on Jun 18, 2012
It's can be HOT where I live and surprisingly very cold. The AC runs off of the Battery and it does suck some of the mileage efficiency but not as much as you may think. I probably see a 10% reduction. The good news is there are several cooling option from Fan Only to ECO to COMFORT. Today I had a guest riding with me in the car and we did an around town road trip... as a gracious host I put it in Comfort mode but normally ECO is cool enough for me.
Heating, is a little different. When it is particularly cold the Gas Engine will flip on just to heat the cabin. All Volts have heated seat though and this is intended to keep your tookus warm without having to blast the heater. For those that have to deal with snow regularly they will most likely have the heater boost from the gas engine.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Fantastic car - quiet, smooth, super-efficient!
by Pixel_Dude on June 15, 2012
Pros: 400 mile range
Great looking
Quick
Low cost of ownership
Luxurious feel
Room for hauling with seats downCons: Back-up camera hard to see
Cluttered console (you get used to it, though)
Parking brake switch doesn't like to disengageSummary: Best car I've owned, including Acuras.
Summary: Best car I've owned, including Acuras.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The Volt is spectacular. Best car I've ever owned.
by DallasCar on June 15, 2012
Pros: Smooth, quiet all electric drive train. Instant torque and acceleration. No range anxiety with the gas generator. Great features and usability. Quoted electric range is easily beaten in real life. I average 40-45 miles per charge.
Cons: Materials in the interior could be a little better, particularly in the back seat. It would be nice if GM made software upgrades available to existing models.
Summary: I've owned mine for over two months and still have 4.5 gallons of the dealer's gas in the tank. Anyone who compares it to a Cruze or ...
Summary: I've owned mine for over two months and still have 4.5 gallons of the dealer's gas in the tank. Anyone who compares it to a Cruze or other econo car has clearly never driven one. This is to a Cruze as a Volvo S40 is to a Ford Focus or a Lexus EX is to a Camry. I've never enjoyed driving a car this much and there is nothing like going two months and counting without visiting a gas station.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Game-changing technology with extended-range EVs
by clinical-cal on June 15, 2012
Pros: -quiet, smooth acceleration (no gear shifting)
-regenerative braking
-1 gal of gas in 560 miles
-CA electric grid at 26% renewable
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703806304576233133026845622.html)Cons: -price tag
-low air dam
-stereo sound a bit tinny
-black roof absorbs too much heatSummary: Re: carbon emissions, know where your state energy comes from. Carbon emissions greatest for coal, followed by oil, and then natural gas. That said, electricity is domestically produced, coal or ...
Summary: Re: carbon emissions, know where your state energy comes from. Carbon emissions greatest for coal, followed by oil, and then natural gas. That said, electricity is domestically produced, coal or otherwise.
-CA electric grid data (71% in-state generation):
http://energyalmanac.ca.gov/overview/energy_sources.html
-Note that it takes approx 13 kWh electricity to extract and refine a gallon of gas, which provides approx 35 kWh of energy (typical ICE has 20-25% efficiency, most energy dissipated as heat)2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Outstanding technology, style, performance and luxury.
by Goldiev1 on June 15, 2012
Pros: Incredible blend of performance, environment and energy security. Quiet, powerful, attractive, excellent braking and fun to drive. Insurance policy against $8 gas and the next round of gas shortages.
Cons: Console controls and braking modulation take some getting used to. EV technology is still expensive, like the first flat-screen TVs. Extended-range EV concept is difficult for the general public -- and some CNET reviewers -- to fully understand.
Summary: What a rush! Value is in the eye of the beholder, but driving is believing. Talk to any Volt owner, and they will tell you how much they are in ...
Summary: What a rush! Value is in the eye of the beholder, but driving is believing. Talk to any Volt owner, and they will tell you how much they are in love with this advanced-technology car.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Like driving a starship
by volt1831 on June 15, 2012
Pros: Smooth, silent driving.
High torque, responsive motor.
Sleek styling.
Loads of fun technology.
Regenerative braking - I can drive with one foot, and rarely need to use the brake pedal.Cons: Tight fit - like getting into a sports car.
If you turn on the center stack (for navigation, economy info, etc) the radio always comes on - dumb design.Summary: This is the first American car I've owned in over 30 years, and I would not hesitate to buy another Volt if mine were to be wrecked. I usually ...
Summary: This is the first American car I've owned in over 30 years, and I would not hesitate to buy another Volt if mine were to be wrecked. I usually get at least 45 miles per charge, and I rarely use any gasoline given my driving habits and needs. After 8 months and 5200 miles, I've burned only 3.1 gallons and am still on the original tank of gas the dealer bought for me. I feel like I am living in the future - a future where we have faced and beautifully resolved our environmental problems.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best car I have owned.
by CAStrunk on June 15, 2012
Pros: Silent
Smooth Driving
Instant Torque
Very Comfortable
Extremely Efficient
Hatchback (I brought my new lawnmower home with it!)
Fit & finishCons: front air dam (low)
Summary: I replaced a Buick Regal with this car and commute 28 miles per day. The electric range is perfect for me, even in the dead of winter. The car is ...
Summary: I replaced a Buick Regal with this car and commute 28 miles per day. The electric range is perfect for me, even in the dead of winter. The car is planted (low center of gravity) and enjoyable to drive. With instant torque, I have no problems when I need to move quickly.
I've taken the car on 200 mile trips and it's very comfortable to drive.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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5 months with a 2012 Volt
by GOTANUGLYDOG on December 29, 2012
Pros: Why buy a car that gets 50 mpg when you can get one that gets 100 mpg?
Cons: Waiting for PGE to start their new EV rates in the spring.
Summary: I've had the Volt for 5 months and it is a winner for me. Put it in L and sport and have fun scooting around town. Motor kicks in ...
Summary: I've had the Volt for 5 months and it is a winner for me. Put it in L and sport and have fun scooting around town. Motor kicks in twice a month when I have a longer drive. Not sure if it will need an oil change before I give it back at the end of the 2 yr - $249/month lease. I figure I save $200/month including electricity. Passing gas stations, not spewing fumes, stickers for the carpool lane and supporting these industries are all gravy. All cars are going to have to have some type of battery in the future if only to capture back the energy we use to get up hills and brake. On the road, look around at how much is wasted at red lights and in traffic. The worldwide infrastructure we have in place for consuming oil is overwhelming. Charging at night when the power plants are idling seems a bit more efficient to me. My neighbor just bought an electric Focus and on a drive yesterday, I noticed a lot of Volts and other electrics. People are buying them. More models are on the way. Of course, they are not for everybody. But neither is a truck, a suv or a sports car.
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Why Doesn't Everyone Own a Volt?
by johnster007 on June 20, 2012
Pros: Over 800 mpg
No support of OPEC
Silky smooth drive
Nice, high-tech interior
Great-sounding stereo
Super safeCons: While I ride around 90% on electric, I'd like the range to see 100%
Front air dam scrapes
I drive more because it's so much fun!Summary: I am an early adopter so I'm accustomed to the "gotcha" moments most new tech possesses. So far this car has far exceeded my expectations. It's amazing.
Summary: I am an early adopter so I'm accustomed to the "gotcha" moments most new tech possesses. So far this car has far exceeded my expectations. It's amazing.
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A game changing car that is a pleasure to drive.
by focher on June 20, 2012
Pros: The car is very quiet, fast off the line, and has smooth acceleration. It feels as good as my Audi A4 did. The exterior styling is pleasant and much better than comparable EVs or hybrids. Seven months in, and I haven't been to a gas station.
Cons: Price is high, but competitive and expected for the technology at this stage. You don't get this car because of a financial decision. Interior styling is a bit better than most American cars, but not up to European or Japanese standards.
Summary: I enjoy this car very much. It's my first American car, after having had three Audis, a Mercedes, a Lexus, an Infiniti, a Volvo, and two Acuras. This car ...
Summary: I enjoy this car very much. It's my first American car, after having had three Audis, a Mercedes, a Lexus, an Infiniti, a Volvo, and two Acuras. This car drives comparably to my first generation A4 (but without the gas). The Volt has made me never want to go back to a non-EV. It's a great car during this transition from gasoline/diesel to electric because you get the benefits of an EV with a security of mind that you won't be stranded somewhere when the battery runs out.
The drive train technology is terrific, and the integration of the internal combustion engine as primarily a generator for the battery is great. This allows the benefit of using the superior electric motors to propel the car, while using the engine only to charge the battery (and very rarely to help propel the car). It's completely seamless to the driver.
I live well within range of my daily commute (using less than half the battery) but on weekends we only use this car due to the pleasant driving experience and cost efficiency. With two kids, it still fits what we need in the cargo space.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Chevrolet
- Part number: 101388714
- Bottom Line: Mileage has never varied more than it will between two 2012 Chevrolet Volt owners, but with regular charging, this part-time EV is capable of fantastic efficiency -- just don't look too hard at its dashboard.
Basic car properties
- Body style Hatchback
- Trim levels 4dr
- Available Engine Hybrid
Safety Features
- Smart airbags Standard
- Antilock brakes Standard
- Traction control Standard
- Stability control Standard
- Roadside assistance Standard
- Adaptive cruise control Standard
Entertainment
- Satellite radio Standard
- Connection for portable MP3 sound system Standard
- MP3 CD-enabled sound system Standard
- USB connection Standard
Climate/convenience
- Two-way security system Standard
- 12V power outlet Standard
Drivetrain Technology
- Drivetrain available front-drive
- All-wheel steering Standard
Navigation
- Trip computer Standard
- Live traffic data Standard
Communication
- Bluetooth phone interface Standard
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Chevrolet products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Chevrolet
- Address:
P.O. Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232-5170 - Phone: 1-800-222-1020
