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Mentioned my deal on another thread but wanted to share first week impressions. Traded in a '13 for a '17 Siren Red Premier w/ Jet Black/Brandy.
LIKES
Range, range range! I'm blown away by how different "only" 10-15 extra EV miles above my Gen 1 really makes a difference. I did my 56-mile round trip work commute entirely on battery. Whoa. Game changer. I can't comment on the gas MPG in CS mode (is that even the right term for it now with Voltec II?), because I've barely used the engine yet. I'll wait until I reach about 1000 gas-only miles before making a determination.
And just as an initial impression with still limited driving, it seems the "city" EV range shines significantly more than in the Gen 1. I went 10 miles today in city driving and the EV remaining only went down 2 miles.
Regen! Greatly improved with the paddle and better overall. Almost a complete stop with the paddle and is great for energy recapture and big improvement over Gen 1. Heck, it looked like it got up to 60kw at some points, but I'll need to keep an eye on that. Rare use of breaks. This improved regen must be the reason for the dramatic city EV range. I drive in "L" and it feels fairly similar to Gen 1, although it might just be better with recapturing energy now.
Comfort! It's a more comfortable car overall--more "plush". Heard some didn't like the seats, but I think they're better. can't seem to get the right "spot" yet, but not unusual in a new car. Dead pedal was odd the first day but now doesn't bother me. Again, this is subjective.
Ride quality! Absolutely better--takes bumps and road imperfections very well. Definitely tuned more for comfort than sport, but seems an OK balance (although I lean sport in preference). I do wish it was a bit less floaty, but that comes with the expense of ride quality. Gen 1 was tight, but had lots of hops and skips on curves and felt less planted. Gen 2 handles better in some ways, even though it "feels" less sporty.
Quiet! This is an amazingly quiet car. My Gen 1, while also quiet, had more wind noise. Gen 2 is silent running. Even the ICE is muted.
Performance! Awesome 0-30. Love that the highway "delay" in Gen 1 seems fixed--this was the issue where the Gen 1 needed to "pause" before delivering full power in order to pass, etc. The dual motor design in Gen 2 seems to have fixed it.
DISLIKES
Styling--I was partial to Gen 1, but prefer a "unique" car. Of course, Volts are low volume, sold only in North America, and "unique" anyway, but Gen 2 "blends in" and does not brandish its EV credentials. Feels more "Chevy" than Volt. Back is great, but mixed feelings on the nose. Great color. Brandy interior is a nice option. Interior looks better and more together than Gen 1, but it also looks like other Chevy products. It's just not as distinct, which I consider a negative but others may not.
Climate Energy Usage--It was easier for me to control my climate energy expenditure in Gen 1 because of the better real-time feedback on energy usage (% meter, heat indicator, A/C indicator). Now, I am relying on my "idling" kW usage and the "energy usage" screen to figure it out. I might get better with it over time, but I'm disappointed Chevy decided to not provide this type of information anymore.
Pedestrian Honk! I knew I was going to really miss this feature of Gen 1--and I do. It really helped in city driving and in gently "waking" sleeping drivers at stop lights. Now I have to blare on the horn like everyone else. Speaking of which, what happened to the darn horn? Sounds weak.
TBD
Not sure if I'm partial to Voltec I or Voltec II in terms of ICE performance. I think the switch to parallel hybrid brings a bit more disadvantages to "EV feel" with the mechanical connection. However, it brings some understandable efficiency increases. I just became accustomed to the series hybrid way of operating in Gen I and I'm not yet used to Voltec II.
Final Words
This is without a doubt the most advanced vehicle I've owned and it deserves its "halo car" status. I don't regret trading up, but there is something LESS emotionally compelling about Gen 2. Personally, going to a mainstream design that matches the Chevy lineup has hurt the "uniqueness" of the Volt. I have mixed feelings about this because Chevy has done a good job investing in making other vehicles "unique" among its lineup (think Corvette).
The lesser "Volt" branding on Gen 2 makes me think this model might be on its way out. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like the energy is going to BEVs (no pun intended), with the Voltec II destined for other models. Heck, I think the naming of the "Bolt" was intentional so that when the "Volt" is phased out half the planet won't even know it happened.
So I'm glad I own the most advanced and efficient iteration to-date of the Volt, even if it lacks the "specialness" and iconic qualities of the Gen 1.
LIKES
Range, range range! I'm blown away by how different "only" 10-15 extra EV miles above my Gen 1 really makes a difference. I did my 56-mile round trip work commute entirely on battery. Whoa. Game changer. I can't comment on the gas MPG in CS mode (is that even the right term for it now with Voltec II?), because I've barely used the engine yet. I'll wait until I reach about 1000 gas-only miles before making a determination.
And just as an initial impression with still limited driving, it seems the "city" EV range shines significantly more than in the Gen 1. I went 10 miles today in city driving and the EV remaining only went down 2 miles.
Regen! Greatly improved with the paddle and better overall. Almost a complete stop with the paddle and is great for energy recapture and big improvement over Gen 1. Heck, it looked like it got up to 60kw at some points, but I'll need to keep an eye on that. Rare use of breaks. This improved regen must be the reason for the dramatic city EV range. I drive in "L" and it feels fairly similar to Gen 1, although it might just be better with recapturing energy now.
Comfort! It's a more comfortable car overall--more "plush". Heard some didn't like the seats, but I think they're better. can't seem to get the right "spot" yet, but not unusual in a new car. Dead pedal was odd the first day but now doesn't bother me. Again, this is subjective.
Ride quality! Absolutely better--takes bumps and road imperfections very well. Definitely tuned more for comfort than sport, but seems an OK balance (although I lean sport in preference). I do wish it was a bit less floaty, but that comes with the expense of ride quality. Gen 1 was tight, but had lots of hops and skips on curves and felt less planted. Gen 2 handles better in some ways, even though it "feels" less sporty.
Quiet! This is an amazingly quiet car. My Gen 1, while also quiet, had more wind noise. Gen 2 is silent running. Even the ICE is muted.
Performance! Awesome 0-30. Love that the highway "delay" in Gen 1 seems fixed--this was the issue where the Gen 1 needed to "pause" before delivering full power in order to pass, etc. The dual motor design in Gen 2 seems to have fixed it.
DISLIKES
Styling--I was partial to Gen 1, but prefer a "unique" car. Of course, Volts are low volume, sold only in North America, and "unique" anyway, but Gen 2 "blends in" and does not brandish its EV credentials. Feels more "Chevy" than Volt. Back is great, but mixed feelings on the nose. Great color. Brandy interior is a nice option. Interior looks better and more together than Gen 1, but it also looks like other Chevy products. It's just not as distinct, which I consider a negative but others may not.
Climate Energy Usage--It was easier for me to control my climate energy expenditure in Gen 1 because of the better real-time feedback on energy usage (% meter, heat indicator, A/C indicator). Now, I am relying on my "idling" kW usage and the "energy usage" screen to figure it out. I might get better with it over time, but I'm disappointed Chevy decided to not provide this type of information anymore.
Pedestrian Honk! I knew I was going to really miss this feature of Gen 1--and I do. It really helped in city driving and in gently "waking" sleeping drivers at stop lights. Now I have to blare on the horn like everyone else. Speaking of which, what happened to the darn horn? Sounds weak.
TBD
Not sure if I'm partial to Voltec I or Voltec II in terms of ICE performance. I think the switch to parallel hybrid brings a bit more disadvantages to "EV feel" with the mechanical connection. However, it brings some understandable efficiency increases. I just became accustomed to the series hybrid way of operating in Gen I and I'm not yet used to Voltec II.
Final Words
This is without a doubt the most advanced vehicle I've owned and it deserves its "halo car" status. I don't regret trading up, but there is something LESS emotionally compelling about Gen 2. Personally, going to a mainstream design that matches the Chevy lineup has hurt the "uniqueness" of the Volt. I have mixed feelings about this because Chevy has done a good job investing in making other vehicles "unique" among its lineup (think Corvette).
The lesser "Volt" branding on Gen 2 makes me think this model might be on its way out. I hope I'm wrong, but I feel like the energy is going to BEVs (no pun intended), with the Voltec II destined for other models. Heck, I think the naming of the "Bolt" was intentional so that when the "Volt" is phased out half the planet won't even know it happened.
So I'm glad I own the most advanced and efficient iteration to-date of the Volt, even if it lacks the "specialness" and iconic qualities of the Gen 1.
