2012 Chevrolet Volt Overview

The Chevy Volt is GM's first plug-in hybrid vehicle. It carries a bank of lithium-ion batteries underneath as its primary fuel source. The batteries can be charged by plugging them in overnight, and can provide a range of 40 miles. Should the driver require a longer range, an on-board 1.4L 4-cylinder gasoline-powered engine automatically starts up to generate additional energy. A regenerative braking system provides additional charging whenever the vehicle slows.

The Volt is capable of a top speed of 100 mph, making it suitable for highway driving. Like all electric cars, the Volt has lots of torque right from the get-go, making for quick starts and fun driving. Driving at faster speeds and flooring it at every red light as well as steep hills will all reduce that 40-mile electric-only range.

Chevrolet understands that an electric car will only be successful if drivers and passengers don't feel compromised by the experience. The Volt comes with eight standard air bags, which includes a knee bag for the driver as well as side curtains for all passengers. Navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth and remote keyless entry are all standard equipment. A standard cargo cover keeps the contents of the 10.6-cubic-foot trunk hidden.

GM's OnStar system is included for five years. A Bose sound system is also included and includes a 30GB hard drive and USB port. This system uses less energy than other stereo systems, allowing more power to be utilized at the wheels. Leather seats are even available for a little touch of luxury. A rear camera and park-assist system are also available, as is heated front seats.

2012 Chevrolet Volt Model Changes

The Volt sees few changes for 2012. Most notably, it now features keyless entry on all four doors, functioning through chrome buttons mounted on the door handles. Inside, the Volt's display has been revised slightly for a better user interface. The main gauge display now displays navigation information, and kilowatt-hours used has been added to the center display stack. In addition, printing has been improved on the center stack, and the gear selector readout is now much easier to read in low light thanks to revised backlighting. Drivers also now have the ability to disable the Volt's traction control.

2012 Chevrolet Volt Value

The Chevy Volt is the first mass-produced, purpose-built, plug-in hybrid from a major manufacturer. The Volt is an electric car, so its batteries can be charged when it is plugged into an outlet, but The Volt also carries a small gasoline-powered engine on board to charge the batteries, should a longer range be required.

The Volt was intended to include all the modern safety and convenience features expected from a 4-seat hatchback, and as a result, the MSRP of the Volt seems steep at $39,995. However, some estimates have placed the cost-per-mile at only 2 cents. Volt buyers may be able to take advantage of federal and state tax credits as well, making this revolutionary car more affordable than its base price suggests.

2012 Chevrolet Volt Strengths

The latest in plug-in hybrid technology provides extreme fuel economy with few compromises in performance or features.