2016 Chevrolet Volt Quick Spin Review

2016 Chevrolet Volt ・ Photo by Lyndon Bell

If range anxiety has been preventing you from considering an electric car, give the Chevrolet Volt a look. The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt is the second generation of GM’s innovative extended-range battery electric car. With Volt, you get the benefits of an electric car with the security of a gasoline-fired internal combustion engine (ICE), like a plug-in hybrid. So what’s the big deal? The Volt’s ICE only comes online when the battery pack has been depleted past its nominal charge to keep the Volt headed to its destination. According to Chevrolet’s spokespeople, given the car’s all-electric range of some 53 miles, 90 percent of Volt drivers will always use electricity. Pricing starts at $33,995.

What’s New For 2016?

In a nutshell, pretty much everything. The propulsion unit has been redesigned to be lighter and more compact, the battery pack uses fewer cells—more densely packed, the interior is completely revised, the exterior styling—while familiar—is also completely revised. The 2016 Chevrolet Volt is configured to seat five as opposed to four, plus the driver information system has a new interface and whole new look. Electric driving range is increased by 25 percent, the new engine is quieter and boasts a displacement increase, and fuel economy is up some 13 percent. What’s more, the Chevrolet MyLink system now incorporates Apple Car Play, turning the infotainment system into an extension of your smartphone. Further, the 120V portable charger uses a simpler, more compact design with a more convenient onboard storage location.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

Exterior Design

The new styling, while unmistakably a Volt, looks more compact—even though the new car is just about the same size as its predecessor. The face features a textured upper and lower grille pads, helping to maintain the Volt identity. The sleek styling reveals the model saw considerable wind tunnel time during the development process. The new Volt also incorporates active grille shutters to further improve aerodynamics. Interestingly, while the electric Chevy looks more compact than before, there is a lot of tasteful surface detailing in its body panels.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

Interior Features

The original Volt’s flush-fitting backlit controls have been replaced by more traditional looking dials and switches. While we greatly appreciate what Chevy was trying to achieve with the first-generation model’s interior, it was something of an ergonomic challenge when it came to operating the various functions. Now before you think the new one is old-fashioned, be apprised it is thoroughly contemporary, as well as highly intuitive to operate. Yes, some key features are buried in the touchscreen, but once the car is yours and you get acclimated, this will cease to be an issue.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

Trim Packages

For the 2016 model year, Chevrolet is offering the Volt in two states of trim. The base model is called Volt LT. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED low beam headlights and LED taillights. You’ll also find keyless entry and push-button start, remote start, automatic climate control, an eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, OnStar with 4G WiFi capability, and Apple CarPlay. An additional $4,350 gets you Volt Premier with a heated steering wheel, exterior mirrors, and seats (front and rear). The Premier package also adds leather upholstery, a Bose audio system, wireless charging for portable devices, and automated parking.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

Comfort & Cargo Capacity

The interior treatment is more upscale and controls are easier to use, while the look remains thoroughly cutting-edge. There is more than ample legroom in all seating positions—save the center rear. You may recall the length of the Volt’s T-shaped battery pack runs down the center of the car. So while there is a center seatbelt in the back, anyone sitting there will ride with their legs spread very far apart. Volt boasts plenty of storage compartments, and the rear hatch makes loading cargo easy. Cargo capacity measures 10.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

Safety

The 2016 Volt offers a full slate of cutting edge driver’s aids. These include lane keep assist with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with lane change alert, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert with a following distance indicator and automatic braking, and semi-automated parking. Volt also has a pedestrian notification system to alert cyclists and people on foot when it is approaching in electric mode. A full complement of airbags, along with ABS, traction and stability control, as well as OnStar for crash notification, roadside assistance, and stolen vehicle assistance complete the package.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

Engines

The first-gen Volt’s 1.4-liter ICE has been replaced with a lighter and quieter 1.5-liter unit. Volt’s two electric motors have been combined into one housing, and the power inverter unit has been built into the drive unit to reduce mass and improve efficiency. All told, the power unit weighs 100 pounds less than the one employed in the original version of the Chevrolet Volt. Combined, the electric motors make 149 horsepower and 294 ft-lbs of torque. Battery capacity has been improved to 18.4 kWH, and provide up to 50 miles of range at moderate speeds. A complete recharge takes 4.5 hours with a 240V source. Total range is estimated at 420 miles, and overall fuel economy is rated at 42 mpg on gasoline. Volt’s engineering team fitted the car with four driving modes, and a feature enabling the driver to increase the amount of electricity going back to the battery pack under certain conditions.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

Performance

While the Volt’s zero to 60 is estimated at a rather leisurely 8.4 seconds, it feels considerably quicker; thanks to having 294 ft-lbs of torque underfoot right at throttle tip-in. Quiet and composed in virtually every situation, the Volt is nicely responsive, handles wonderfully, stops with authority, and is pleasant to drive. The ICE is so smooth you’ll barely notice it running—particularly if you’re in conversation or the radio is on—when it activates.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

Pros & Cons

Handsome new styling, attractive interior treatment, more range, more power, 200 pounds less weight, better fuel economy, and quieter operation.

Rear middle seat position is useless (except for maybe a baby seat), no power seat option.

Photo by Lyndon Bell