Consumer Reports announced today that it now recommends the Volt plug-in hybrid after new data from its 2011 Annual Auto Survey. The survey shows the Volt earned much better than average reliability.
“Very few of the 116 Volt respondents had any serious problems in the first few months of ownership,” Consumer Reports said in a statement. “To be recommended a vehicle must do well in our testing, have average or better reliability, and perform adequately in independent safety tests (if included).”
Consumer Reports said that in its testing of the Volt, it found that the plug-in hybrid delivers quick and quiet acceleration, has very low running cost in electric mode and offers an overall fuel-economy of 99 mpg. However, the publication said that the Volt has limited visibility and seats only four people.
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Refresher: The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, ‘T’-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. The system puts out 149-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes 4 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 10-12 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries an 84-hp 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 379 miles. The 2012 Chevrolet Volt gets an EPA estimated 93 miles per ’gallon-equivalent’ when driving under electric power only, 37 mpg when in gasoline mode and over the long term it is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving. Prices for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt start at $39,995 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $32,495.
- By: Omar Rana
