Pruis Plug-in vs Volt Motortrend Review

The gearing is so superior that it needs 3 clutches and still manages to get 13 MPG less for a smaller car.

 

From what I recall, Motortrend declared Volt the more performance oriented car - accelerates quicker, etc...

Somehow I got into the backseat of a Volt at SF show, hatch was open and my head was clearly sticking a couple inches out of the hatch. Volt is really, really .... cozy in back seat and yes there is a rear center console with cupholders. Cupholders r a benefit

 

When I sat in a engineering test mule for the Volt a few months ago, my first thought was that the PC crew were going to be crying about the size of the car. Funny.

 

Has anyone seen the schedule of milestones which shows when Chevy will begin to crush the Volt autos like they did for the EV1?

 

Cargo size comparison:

Volt - 10.6 cu.ft
2010 Insight - 15.9 cu.ft
2010 Prius - 21.6 cu.ft

 

are you serious? i can't (won't) go any smaller than the pri, what is the leaf?

 

Ditto. This is because the Volt's tranny was re-purpused from their dual-mode hybrids.

Our 2002's have been utterly reliable. IMO even the gen 1 Prius' power-train engineering is superior to that of the Volt.

 

No, it is quite different then the dual mode. The mpg on the Volt is what it is due to the weight of the car, not using an efficient Ice and multiple energy conversions.

 

Agree, and that bottomline is so evident! That is why I don't understand the way GM designed the Volt.

 

I love the interior/exterior design of the volt, and the idea behind it all. But honestly, is a 1.4l 4cyclinder really necessary as a range extender? They should have used a 1.0l 3 cylinder, saving weight and fuel. Perhaps even mimicking the Prius PHV and just making a traditional PHEV, but with the 40 mile range?

 

After seeing all the GM ads in that crappy excuse for journalism, it's pretty clear that they are heavily biased. Not that the Volt doesn't have merit, but I think their comparison is inaccurate on many points.

 

You are referring to the magazine called GeneralMotorsTrend, right?!?

 

If it wasn't a GM product, I'd have a lot more faith in the engineering and design.

 

Welcome back Pinto Girl!

 

Thank you very much. I actually thought no one would remember me!

 

Ditto! Long time! and yes . . . we DO notice such things.
I just watched another Volt - youtube viedeo. The poor guy kept comparing it to the "other electric car" (meaning the Leaf) . . . . apparently never knowing it's just a hybrid!

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While I don't know you I've read your previous posts. How ya doing?

 

Another hurrah for Pintogirl here.

I wouldn't buy the first model year, but that's just the prudent thing to do no matter the make. With it being a new drivetrain for GM, it just seems worthwhile to be more cautious, or make the lease more attractive.

 

I agree. Given all Toyota's problems on the Gen III, even with the specific experience they have, I'd say GM is looking at a whole metric f**kton of issues at first. Not to say it can't be all worked out, but it's a very complex vehicle with lots of software in it. There's bound to be many bugs!