When Consumer Reports (CR) initially chimed in on the 2011 Chevy Volt last March, the organization was critical of the extended-range electric car. Their biggest objection was the Volt’s sticker price, followed closely by its actual cost to operate. To no one’s surprise, CR steered buyers away from the Volt, which it called, “a tough sell to the average consumer” and “not really much of a money saver in many places.” Their recommendation was, of course, the 2011 Toyota Prius. CR has since had a bit more time behind the wheel of their 2011 Chevy Volt, and the organization will release a full report on the series hybrid in its October magazine. The good news is that CR is nowhere near as critical of the Volt as they were back in March; the bad news is that the Volt’s purchase price is still $3,000 more than a fully loaded Prius, and that’s assuming that you qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
CR found that the Volt’s battery-only range varied from 21 miles in the middle of winter (with the heater on, of course) to a high of 51 miles under ideal driving conditions (secondary roads, A/C off, speed under 45 miles per hour). In real-world driving, CR managed to average 35 miles per charge, which is exactly what the EPA tells us to expect.
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the bad news is that the Volt’s purchase price is still $3,000 more than a fully loaded Prius, and that’s assuming that you qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
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