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Author: José A. Rodríguez
Photos: Rome Randolph

Over this past weekend, I had the opportunity to check out the Chevy Volt on loan through Chevy. Like a lot of the public, I, initially, had reservations.  However, as I drove the car, I really began to like it.  After returning the Volt, I began to miss it.

Yes, it is an electric vehicle.  However, let me explain what this means.  When fully charged up, the battery has a range of 35-40 miles.  The Volt’s site says 35, although I saw the battery meter up to 40 miles.  When your battery runs down, the Volt will automatically switch over to gas. You don’t even know when it happens.  It does take premium gas and has a 9.3 gallon tank.  Combined, under ideal driving conditions, the Volt would have a range around 270 miles.

In order to cut back on gas consumption, the Volt has regenerative braking, where it will take the kinetic energy wasted during braking and channel it into the battery.

This was something that became evident.  From Thursday to Monday, it only used around 2.2 gallons total (came with an almost full tank).  On Saturday, I went on a photo shoot for it that spanned from Royal Oak, Southwest Detroit and Downtown Detroit.  While driving, I almost exclusively drove on gas.  I expected the tank to run down quicker, although this wasn’t true at all.

Without a doubt, I thought that the center console was its best internal feature.  Here is where you have access to the main features.  Worth mentioning are the door lock buttons.  Unlike many older vehicles, where the buttons are on the door, on the Volt they have been moved to the center console.  It makes sense because you would want your main buttons within easy reach.

I really enjoyed the built-in navigation system.  I used it to pick up my photographer, since it was the first time that I went to his house.  Since I didn’t have a lot of time with the Volt, it took me a little time to learn how to read the driving instructions.  Using the 7″ touchscreen, I input the directions and let the Volt take me there.  I did get a little lost and the adjustments to the route came very quickly—much more responsive than my iPhone on 3G.  I didn’t use the voice navigation mode because it would have been too distracted so opted for the regular turn-by-turn mode.

The radio was amazing.  On opening the doors, I saw that the Volt was equipped with Bose speakers.  According to the vehicle specs, it has six speakers and a sub-woofer in an energy-efficient system.  My model came with AM, FM and XM (comes free for three months).  The speakers produced very rich tones.  However, I was disappointed to find that my model didn’t have very many equalizers.  I only saw “manual” and “talk” as the only modes.  Before rocking out, I had to scoop the equalizer (higher treble and bass with a very low midrange).

All in all, I can consider myself sold on the Volt.  I was fortunate enough to have a grounded 120 volt outlet in my garage to charge it nightly (charger won’t work unless the outlet is grounded).  For some people, this would involve some change and cause difficulties for apartment dwellers.

This car is great for someone that stays pretty local.  However, with the gas tank, you could have the necessary range to go on a long trip.  Since there are four bucket seats, I wouldn’t recommend this to anybody with little ones.  I know that for me, if I could drop money right now on a vehicle, the Chevy Volt would be up there.  If you can get the chance to try one out, do yourself a favor and do it.  In a few years, I can only imagine how much better it will be.