MotorMouths

We wouldn’t discourage someone from buying one, but the noise and harshness of the gas motor, the impractical 4-seat configuration and the small chance of a Volt purchase ever being economically sound are unfortunate demerits against an otherwise interesting and innovative vehicle.

The new plug-in hybrid electric Chevy Volt is a great little car. It’s green, comfortable, and peppy. Too bad about the price.

Not to be too Star Trek-y here, but the Volt is practically a holodeck on wheels. But the most remarkable thing about how the Volt drives is how unremarkably it drives.

Our brief experience with this Volt prototype in L.A. was impressive. The Volt appears to be just as livable, comfortable and quick (and in sport mode much more so) as conventional hybrids on the road today.

The 2012 Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid is arguably the most fuel-efficient car on the market, but it’s pricey for what you get.

Will the Chevy Volt turn on potential buyers? If our drive in the prototype was any indication, it likely will. It’s well suited to the mass of American commuters.

After driving the Chevy Volt I can confidently say that GM has done a really good job of building an EV that will meet the innumerable challenges of day-to-day driving presents us as go about our business every day.

The 2011 Chevy Volt is a remarkably mature product. It handles well but is just adequate for passing slower traffic on 2-way roads. You won’t have your heart in your throat, but you won’t feel overly confident until the car is back in its proper lane.

For all of the bellyaching that we could work up over how long it takes to fully charge the Volt, GM has done an amazing job of building an EV that drives just like any other vehicle on the road.

The Volt is real and it certainly appears to work. Whether it can actually hit 40 miles on a charge, what mileage it will get in charge sustaining mode and how long the battery will last are questions that remain for another day.

The Volt has a unique look, drives smoothly, accelerates well, makes entertaining Transformers sounds, and is reasonably comfortable. The car makes you feel eco-smart right from the start. But it does have some first year teething issues.

The Volt’s unique-but-expected driving demeanor is everything America loves from Detroit’s cushy ride, torque-rich V8 past with everything we expect from our energy independent future. That said, it’s another boxy sedan with a big nose.