We say It’s an extended range vehicle, which means an excellent range and running costs. The Volt is an impressive achievement. But it's a very new proposition.Performance The electric motor delivers 148bhp and a lot of instant torque. The 0-60mph acceleration time is nine seconds and the top speed is estimated at a respectable 100mph.Emissions This area is the real selling point of the Chevrolet Volt. The car’s CO2 emissions are rated at just 27g/km, although the amount produced will be higher if you use the petrol generator frequently. When driving on electric power alone, the Volt can travelDriving The battery pack and generator makes the Volt quite heavy for a family hatchback. Still it manages to remain stable whilst driving and the traction control does a good job of finding grip. Also because the wheels are driven by the electric motor, there’s no change in the driving experience even when the petrol generator is running.Feel Virtually all the time the Volt will move along both quietly and smoothly. It can get jittery at low speeds but the suspension soaks up the bumps well, and while there is some body roll through the corners it’s not a serious issue. The steering meanwhileSpace It only has four seats, because the battery pack intrudes in the middle of the rear, but wherever you sit you should have plenty of head and legroom. The boot can store 310 litres at minimum, about the same as a Ford Focus hatchback.Equipment At the time of writing, Chevrolet has yet to announce all the equipment the Volt will come with as standard in the UK. It’s known that it will include leather seat trim and numerous other luxuries and gadgets are expected to be found to.Price The Volt is set to be priced at £28,545 when it goes on sale in the UK. This price tag includes a government grant worth a £5,000 discount.Quality The cabin is covered with hard plastics which don’t feel particularly classy but seem well built at least. The reliability of the powertrain shouldn’t be a concern either.Safety The Volt has a received a maximum five star-rating in the Euro NCAP crash safety test. However reports in the US have raised concerns about potential defects in the car’s batteries.Pros Very efficient and clean which equals low running costs as well. The range-extending technology means the Volt can travel for up to 360 miles. It is also spacious, comfortable to sit in and relaxing to drive. It will also be slightly cheaper than the virtCons Rear visibility is poor; the interior plastics are tacky and the steering lacks feedback. Also the Chevrolet Volt is expensive for a family hatchback and there remains uncertainty over the resale value of this sort of car.Alternatives Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf
