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Consumer Reports Quick Drive
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Seemed pretty balanced. I really like how he pointed out the safety features should be standard or at least an option. Nice review overall.
I agree. Unlike almost every other review of any brand EV, I didn't notice any glaring mistakes or even any editorializing to complain about. If I were to nitpick, I suppose I'd have to say I was disappointed that there was no mention of lower operating and maintenance costs, but the review seemed directed at the EV-aware and not a typical ICE driver.
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That idiot said "gas pedal" at 3:49! Who will accept such a review if the reviewer does know that this is an electric car and NOT a GAS CAR? Seems like he does drive a gas car and doesn't like driving or reviewing the Bolt EV at all.
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Geez, that is harsh. Come on. We've been using "gas" pedal for over a century now. I still have a hard time "not" saying it when talking about my Volt I have been driving for over 3 years.
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Not really true. He says the car is affordable, unlike the Model S or Model X. And he takes a satire plug at Tesla, saying getting in line for a Tesla 3 when...Eveennttuually it is available. Did you actually listen to the video? I found it very balanced.
Agree, that is a bit harsh. When I have my Volt set on cruise and I press the er, accelerator/go pedal the message comes on the DIC saying "gas pedal pressed, cruise braking not applied". Something to that effect... so even the Volt itself refers to that thin pedal on the right as a gas pedal.
Actually, I thought that was the one part where he was not balanced. Aesthetics are aesthetics. Either you like the look of the car or you don't.
He's already stated that the Bolt is a significantly better value than the Tesla, and then he says that it doesn't look as nice as a Tesla. First, that's in the eye of the beholder. Second, big whoop. How does it compare to cars in its class? Prius, Leaf, i3 anyone? I didn't think so. They are all ugly, too. I'd rather have substance and value than aesthetics any day of the week.
I will stand on my 1/2 of an ass.
There is no such thing as Model 3 yet. Zero actual specs or pricing or schedule. Why even mention it?He doesn't call the Model S/X expensive, he says "we can't afford them", there is a difference. Many people cannot afford a Corvette but it is certainly a bargain for what you get, it's cheap in it's sector. He does say that add on safety package should be included in the base price as standard. Sure sounds like "too expensive" to me. He doesn't compare it to the Leaf or i3, but to the Tesla, and he says there is not enough standard equipment for the money?
He specifically says the acceleration not Ludicrous. So he's comparing the performance to the $135k car? Not the other sub $50k EV's? Heck, it's not even slow by ICE standards.
He fails to mention it sticks a base Camry's nose in the dirt, the best selling sedan. Or that it has less than 1/2 the passing distance of a Prius from 50-70mph. All he mentions is that it's has the initial "shove" that all EVs do.
SOO... How quick is it CR? They spent hours and $'s with a professionally produced video, but could not buy a $10 iPhone app that reports acceleration, or if you want to splurge, $100 for a base track computer which is more accurate.
They compared it to observed Leaf range of 107mi, but the EPA mfr reported range of the Model S 60D ($74,700 stripped), completely ignoring the BMW i3 ($44,595 stripped).
It appears the Bolt is going to exceed the BMW i3 in every metric including price and performance. But the Bolt performance is just normal for a sub $50k EV? They do say it outhandles a Leaf. Wow. What a compliment. Is there something that doesn't?
What I gathered was it started with backhanded compliments and ended with backhanded compliments. In their minds the most important feature of an EV is how similar it looks to a Tesla.
The most glaring omission? Did you notice they reported the EPA number only for the Bolt, but "their" test number for Volt? They certainly tested it. It's like the most important factor right now with EVs. I have a hunch they exceeded the EPA rating and decided list the EPA number instead. This is Consumer Reports, remember. The video starts with a subtle slam against GM. "We are SURPRISED GM could make an electric car!!" Guess the Spark EV at $25k msrp is not an EV. Also not mentioned even though it actually exists in real life, not just marketing web pages.
I predict... (reading tea leaves)... CR's actual test on the Bolt will be negative. Pretty safe bet. Most their tests on GM vehicles say they suck.
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And the term "throttle" was also mentioned too.... they are just ubiquitous terms that get interchanged in normal discussion, nothing more than that.
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Great review !
Except,, the typical talk about "1 Pedal" driving.
A new person that is interested in buying an EV listens to this section and can get confused:
"Driving in L, using the '1 Pedal Style' to get regen, and there's a button on the steering wheel, blah, blah...:"
The new person says:
"Say What?" , "I have to What?".....
These articles never use these simple words when talking about this subject:
"Or drive in D, just like a normal car, and get the EXACT same amount of regen using the brake pedal".
You never hear Tesla being panned for the Brake Pedal being just a Friction Brake Pedal. You can't coast in a Tesla.
You are always in charge of the accel or decel demanding you drive this new '1 Pedal Style'.
Or turn off regen if you want something like a coast.
Was it too hard for T to engineer a Blended Brake Pedal ?
Except,, the typical talk about "1 Pedal" driving.
A new person that is interested in buying an EV listens to this section and can get confused:
"Driving in L, using the '1 Pedal Style' to get regen, and there's a button on the steering wheel, blah, blah...:"
The new person says:
"Say What?" , "I have to What?".....
These articles never use these simple words when talking about this subject:
"Or drive in D, just like a normal car, and get the EXACT same amount of regen using the brake pedal".
You never hear Tesla being panned for the Brake Pedal being just a Friction Brake Pedal. You can't coast in a Tesla.
You are always in charge of the accel or decel demanding you drive this new '1 Pedal Style'.
Or turn off regen if you want something like a coast.
Was it too hard for T to engineer a Blended Brake Pedal ?
I guess you're not familiar with how CR works, and I guess CR did not make it clear, but this a preliminary drive. Their testing is exhaustive and takes several months. THEN they will provide all the numbers you'd want, and a lot more feedback, than from other sites.
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Looking towards driving one in LA auto-show in 1 month. But, like the reporter said, the bolt is not a looker for sure. But - I have no doubt mechanically / electrically it will be a very well built car.
Interesting to see that a reporter who does not 100% praise the bolt was given a pre-release version to review.
Interesting to see that a reporter who does not 100% praise the bolt was given a pre-release version to review.
Cars panned for being UGLY:
Dodge Ram when they went to low fenders.
Cadillac CTS. Had sharp lines. Bizarro.
C6 Corvette - Took the beautiful C5 lines and made it look Teletubby.
C7 Corvette - Japanese Robot Styling. Looked like a movie prop for Transformers.
etc, etc. etc.
Will the Bolt be ugly in 2 years? This is something you cannot know. Hatches are coming back in vogue in the US.
Dodge Ram when they went to low fenders.
Cadillac CTS. Had sharp lines. Bizarro.
C6 Corvette - Took the beautiful C5 lines and made it look Teletubby.
C7 Corvette - Japanese Robot Styling. Looked like a movie prop for Transformers.
etc, etc. etc.
Will the Bolt be ugly in 2 years? This is something you cannot know. Hatches are coming back in vogue in the US.
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