[Lotus54]

I am new here- and do not currently own a Volt. But I am seriously considering one.
I did some searches but didn’t really see anything that answers this for the gen II models.
I’m looking at a new one, probably 2018, the Premier seems to have the features I want.

Would you buy one again?

Best part of owning one?

Worst part of owning one?


I have not even driven one yet, so certianly I need to see if it is comfortable for me and if vision out the rear is decent. I’m not looking for a sports car or anything, just a good driving car, with minimal issues. The way they did the electric and charging appeals to me.

Thanks for any input
Mark

 

[sosmerc]

I'm very pleased with mine so far. I enjoy driving it...very solid ride. I've had zero issues and now have close to 10,000 miles. The only issue I might raise is that the climate control seems a little weak and I might be concerned if I lived in an area that has severe Winter cold...especially if I had to park outside. But I'm in the Pacific Northwest and are climate is fairly mild compared to other parts of the country.
I guess the worst part of owning one is that you will soon enjoy driving in electric only mode that you will be wishing the Volt had alot more electric only range!

 

[ackattacker]

I almost did buy another one... turned into her car and I barely get to drive it. We both love it. 9000 miles in 6 months, no issues.

We live where it is cold and it's not an issue... we use the remote start from the phone App very frequently. Below 15F the engine does run for heat which is annoying but necessary.

Best part is probably the torque and acceleration of the line. Followed by a very smooth and solid feeling ride.

Worst part is lack of a real third seat in the back. Also I don't find the back very comfortable for my 6'4" frame. But I'm rarely in the back.

Vision out the back is acceptable, not great. Most modern cars meeting rollover standards suffer from a blind spot due to thick C pillars. The Volt is no exception. But the blind spot warning on the mirrors helps a lot and so does the backup cam. You get used to it. It's not a bad car in the city.

 

[Steverino]

I almost did buy another one... turned into her car and I barely get to drive it.

The wife stealing the car happens a lot.

When Chevy was doing a pre-release Chicago test drive event in October 2010, my wife and I went. After I had my test drive, I said, "your turn" to my wife. She was 100% not interested and passed on the opportunity. Totally uninterested in the car. Fast forward to May 2011. We pickup the Volt in NY and take turns driving it back to Illinois, reading the complete owner's manual (again) along the way.

Within 2 weeks it was "her" car, lol. Fast forward to August 2017 when we bring home the Bolt. I now have my Volt back, and she's driving the Bolt, haha. Of course, it makes sense, she has the longer commute.

The point is, if you buy a Volt or Bolt, do not let your wife drive it or you will be in a custody battle

 

[imanjunk1963]

My gen 1 is pretty much without issues. I have bought only about 5k of 50k in gas since I have solar. i am considering upgrading to gen 2 maybe next year depending on what BEVs are available or not available and relative to rebates sunsetting of the 7500 federal credit and now my NY state has 2k. I am getting use to managing the heating as winters are not fun if you want instant heat. If you don't care, just drive it as is and let the engine do the warming as needed otherwise it becomes a game at using the electric quickly up heating the cabin. But I suppose with gen2 and more battery to use range wise it may not matter or if your not in a cold climate. To me the cold climate is the only drawback without higher range/battery size if one is trying to use electric all the time and say only using the engine for extended trips. These last 2 weeks in NYS has been a bear with temps down to -15 even just 90 minutes north of NYC with my gen 1 range dropping from typical 30s in winter to down to as low as lower 20s as expected. So what is being offerred for 2019s as either more range on gen2 volt or BEV products in general will determine what I wound up doing. Otherwise yes I would buy another. Gen 1 has been very reliable.

 

[pinballlooking]

I had my Gen1 2013 volt and drove it 102K miles 75% EV we really liked it.
I bought Gen2 2018 Volt with comfort package option and Bose sound system this car is improved in almost every way.
The 53 EV miles works so much better for us we live out of town.
Android auto and Waz maps are welcome improvements good.
Climate controls so m much better.
Dim head light much better.
We the sound system.
Ride better and quitter…
I could go on and on.
I would have liked 6.6Kw charging we charge two times to three times a day. I know this is not important to every one
We liked the backup sensors that let you know someone walked behind you our 2013 had safety one package that had these.
We have 2.5K miles so far 2.2K is EV and we charge 100% with solar power. 87% EV so far. We had to drive 2 hours away to get the one with the options we wanted so that is some of the gas miles.

My wife really loves the 2018 volt she even parks it away for every everybody else. She has never done this with any of our cars or trucks.

 

[Jd3]

I bought my Gen2 2016 at the end of the year, and now have close to 30k miles on it ... vast majority trouble free. There have been a few more recalls than other cars to deal with, but the dealer has been excellent providing loaners and no 'big' issues.

LOVE: quiet interior !!! conference calls in the volt are like at home - nobody knows I'm in the car. Love that 60-70% of my driving is all electric, and I'm preventing roughly 800lbs of c02 going into the atmostphere. That, and I love the driving dynamics -- I usually have mine in sport and it accelerates and handles VERY nicely. Also love NO RANGE anxiety with the gas backup. And here in New England, LOVE having a car that I can pre-warm in a CLOSED garage because it's all electric !

CONS: rear visibility is not the best. The Kammback gets dirty fast. Rear seat room isn't great, but my teenager haven't complained yet.

Overall? I'd say one of the best cars I've ever owned !

 

[dannycamps]

I bought my '17 at the end of April of 2016. Just about 25,000 miles on it now and have loved every minute of driving them. Relatively few issues (things addressed by service bulletins, etc...). Only other issue we had so far was the passenger front power door lock shorted out requiring a replacement under warranty.

Would I buy again? Absolutely

Things I love the most? Driving quietly in EV mode, Android Auto, the torque off the line, surprisingly good cargo space

Things I am not thrilled with? Middle seat in the rear. My family of five does fit in the car well when necessary but it's cramped. When my kids get a little bigger (my oldest is 12), not so sure they will all fit. Wish there was more electric only range (double the amount would make me really happy)

Regrets? My car was manufactured just before adaptive cruise control was an available option. I think that is one I'd like to have.

Definitely the best car I have owned so far.

 

[Sheldon]

I would buy a gen2 Volt again in a heartbeat, even though there are more EV alternatives every year.

For us, its perfect, including the compact size. 53 miles of EV range means the engine only fires up for road trips. Sometimes we plug at hotels, other destinations. Overall, 84% electric. The gas engine works nice for highway trips. Adaptive cruise control is cool.

The only negative I can think of is that I wish the hatch was a little wider; its hard to fit my bicycle in though I found an excellent bike rack. My son-in-law is too tall for the back seat though its fine for my wife and I.

 

[Mr X]

With the advancement of technology during this rEVolution, I will continue to lease EV's

 

[quirkySquirt]

The point is, if you buy a Volt or Bolt, do not let your wife drive it or you will be in a custody battle

Custody battle = wife gets a new car, you get the hand-me-downs.

Regarding OP:
I had an issue with my 2017 Volt (see my signature) so it will contribute the most to my answers. I loved the idea of a gas backup given the charging infrastructure lacking and the speed of charge being so long, even with a Tesla. Nothing beats the 5-10 minute fill up at a gas station.

Would you buy one again?
If the misfire issue is gone and EV mileage was increased to say 80 miles, then I'd buy again in a heartbeat.

Best part of owning one?
That I was pretty much always driving an EV. Even with the ICE on when running in CS mode, the Volt performed just like an EV only with ICE sounds. Versus my Bolt right now, the range anxiety was nearly non-existent when I had the Volt. Even with the 180 mile range of my Bolt, my 100 mile commute still triggers range anxiety. Once I had an emergency that required I drive 250 miles in a day and only with the Volt could I do that. Right now, I'll have to rent a car for an emergency.

Worst part of owning one?
The terrible rear seat headroom. If Chevy could do something about the head space then the Volt could pass as a 4-seater lunch-mobile. Also, the damned misfire on the ICE. It's plagued the 2016 through 2018 model years with no fix. Being a gateway drug, the Volt got me hooked on quiet driving and the misfires always aggravated me.

 

[Wrover]

Best part: infrequent trips to the gas station. Peppy, hov driving, ev parking spots in garages. CarPlay, leg room (I’m 6’6 300+ and fit great) heated stearin wheel. Adaptive cruise is the best feature for commuters, love it

Con: the defrost is terrible. Even in ice/hold mode with a window cracked. It stinks, especially during this deep east coast freeze. Lack of powered seats

Please note I would not hesitate to buy again. The pros outweigh the cons for me

 

[supchrgamx]

looking for another one

 

[Lotus54]

Thanks very much for all the input already. Keep it coming!

I’m not that far from Belfair (I go dirt riding there)- so the climate is quite similar. Sounds like it should be no issue for the temps here.
If there are any commoners on LT very Priemier, I’d certainly like to hear those also!

Thanks
Mark

 

[limbery]

For sure as I've had no troubles at all so far (9 months)...I bought it as a transition car though so I've got my eyes peeled for the new EVs that are coming in the next few years

 

[sosmerc]

No question the Premier is the one. The ACC alone is worth the extra cost.....but I also like the interior upgrade as well. If you want to give mine a test drive give me a ring.
Steve Love
360-275-4690

 

[rand49er]

Highs: Ride, handling, smooth acceleration, quiet, technology, economical, hatchback/fold down seats, versatility of propulsion.

Lows: Visibility, windows have tendency to fog up, rear seat room, rapid obsolescence.


Lack of power seats is no big deal since once you adjust them, you never touch them again ... for years. Love the car.

 

[JerryInSanDiego]

5 years driving a Gen 1, 2 years driving a Gen 2. Once you experience electric, there is no going back....

 

[dwrede]

I have over 33K on my 2017 premier now, probably 90% electric miles. Absolutely love the electric drive. Really surprised the Volt has not been promoted more by Chevrolet, best of both worlds gas and electric. Even in gas mode I always get over 48 MPG, better than most cars out there. I am rarely in gas mode... Every few months when we want a little day vacation we drive 85 miles down to Myrtle Beach, SC where gas is a little cheaper than in NC. Top off the gas tank which is probably only down to half a tank. In the two years since we have had it, probably only put gas in it twice locally. In the summer I always have over 62 electric miles available on every charge. Drops to 52-53 in the winter here in Hampstead, NC. With a level 2 charger in the garage I stay in electric mode most of the time. Totally agree with all pro's stated here. Would like a 100 mile range on the electric, but happy with what I have been getting. My only con, agree with heater/defogging concerns. YES, would buy another in a heartbeat, driving electric most of the time, and can still go on long trips without range concern with great MPGs.

 

[BAZINGA]

Yes - If GM add's some new and improved features, range, drops the price etc I could be tempted

No - If GM doesn't add some new and improved features, range etc

Essentially what I'm saying is right now my 2017 Volt built in June 2016/purchased in Aug 2016 is the "state of the art" so I have no reason to be looking at purchasing a new Gen II Volt. Plus mine will be paid for in a few months and then I'll have even less reason to buy a new one.

So if the Gen II is the last Volt GM plans on manufacturing then my 2017 is my last Volt. Mine has been almost faultless (minus recalls) and am operating over 97% of the time all electric.