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2011 Chevrolet Volt consumer reviews

$40,280 starting MSRP
side view of 2011 Volt Chevrolet
(48 reviews)
81% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.3
  • Interior 4.2
  • Performance 4.1
  • Value 3.9
  • Exterior 4.4
  • Reliability 4.2
Explore the 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Worst Car I've Ever Owned

I picked up this car because I wanted great gas mileage. My other expectation was reliability. Well, the mileage is fine as long as the weather is mild. It's been a complete disaster in wintertime, as the charging system shuts down in temps below 20F and requires code clearance. In addition, cold weather severely diminishes range and the car (for no apparent reason) simply decides that it does want not to run on electricity. I've taken it in several times and the mechanics can't get a handle on these issues. This winter I'm averaging 20 mpg. There is no other reason than great mileage to purchase this pile. No character, no driving dynamics, poor visibility. Think hard about it if you live in a cold weather climate.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 2.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 2.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
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it's a sweet ride

The engine runs quietly. Can choose to use buttons and / or touchscreen for controls. Smooth steering and driving. Luxury materials. Bose speaker system. Great fuel economy.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Best car I've ever owned.

This was my dream car. I waited a long time for an electric car and it was better than I hoped. I love how quiet it is, the instant acceleration, and hardly ever going to a gas station.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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One of the best car I had

The advance technology on that car blew my mind at first, I had lot to learn for the driving in town and through the rocky mountains totally different need to use the driving adopted to it

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Hybrids and electrics

I like this car very much. It is quite when driving. You hear only the tires. Maybe the range on electric is low but is a car driven constantly by the electric motor so if you have the opportunity to charge the car every 3 days your fuel comsumption is going to be low

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Best Plug-in Hybrid New or Used

The Chevy Volt is the best car I have ever owned and I've owned over 20 vehicles of many different types. The instant response of the electric motors makes pretty much any gasoline vehicle, even sports cars, feel like low tech. There is no better commuter car. The suspension is well controlled but supremely comfortable. Lots of travel helps absorb bumps on even the roughest roads. Charging costs about a third of fueling with gasoline and with 40 miles of electric range plus 300 miles of gasoline range, there is no range anxiety. 40 miles is plenty for most commutes and I typically go for months without having to refuel, topping the battery off in your garage every night is amazingly convenient. Some negatives are non-intuitive center stack controls that are capacitive touch instead of push buttons. Rear seat room is enough for 6 footers but foot room is limited and getting in and out of the back seat is tight. It is only a four seater but I rarely have the need for 5 passengers and my wife's larger vehicle can accommodate 5 when needed.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 3.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Biggest financial disaster to date

I wanted to help usher in a new era of EV, save on gas and leave a smaller carbon footprint, but instead I wound up dumping exorbitant sums of money to keep this thing running. Let's start with the 120V charger; about two years in (2016) it up and quits on me?no lights/power, just dead. I call the dealership who explains the unit would not be covered under the voltec warranty, so I open it up to find corroded wire insulation, exposing and shorting the wires coming in from the wall to the unit. I replace the blown fuse and re-insulate the wires, but the charger still won't work. I randomly take it to a different dealership and they replaced it with a gen2 charger (hats off to them). This year I'm driving along on the interstate when the oil pressure warning starts blaring, but before I could even react, the engine throws a rod. Instantly destroyed?and I changed the oil in this thing religiously. I had to rent a uhaul and tow it over 500 miles, drain my savings to replace the motor and now the battery life is shot and it won't even charge. I'm stuck upside down with a lemon that continues to sour, no savings and another year of payments. Buyer beware, all of this went down in under 100,000 miles...

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 2.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
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Best car ever owned.

This car met all the needs I have. 35 miles Electric power. Plenty of torque and smooth ride. I?ve enjoyed the flawlessly performance it delivers. I definitely would purchase a Chevrolet Volt Again.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
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Best gas mileage from a modern day vehicle

This car exceeded my expectations. It's suprisingly peppy and fast considering it's eco directed drivetrain. I drove my Volt 94k miles without having to replace anything, except for the usual things like spark plugs. Best car I've owned. I definitely recommend this vehicle to anyone who loves saving money on gas and repairs.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 3.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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One of the best values out there.

This car has so many cool features. And is built like a tank. I?ve had the car for 1500 miles and only used 7 gallons on gas so far. For me and my commute this car can?t be beat.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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