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Hybrids

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Family Friendliness: 6.8

Recommended: Not Yet Driven

Specifications apply to all models.

What it Is: A four-passenger extended range electric vehicle.
Who it's For: Small families who want to save a lot of gas, and make an environmental statement.
What's Hot: Gas engine gives Volt the same range as a gas-powered car.
What's Not: Electric-only range of about 40 miles.
Family Friendly Options: Navigation, Bluetooth, USB input, OnStar
How It Got Its Score: The Volt's primary handicaps as a family car are its four-passenger seating configuration and its 10.6 cu.-ft. of cargo space. Note that the high price listed here doesn't take into account tax incentives, which can total more than $7,500.

By now you've likely heard a lot about Chevrolet's electric car, the Volt. Its innovative engine/motor combination allows it to drive up to 40 miles or so on battery power. When the battery pack is depleted, a small gasoline engine kicks in, generating electricity for the electric motor. 40 miles doesn't sound like a lot, but GM says that most drivers average about that each day. Theoretically, if you faithfully plug in your Volt every night and stay in the electric-only range, you could get thousands of miles from the Volt's small gas tank.

While that's all good news, the problem is that the Volt isn't very family friendly. It's expensive, and even after a $7,500 federal tax credit it's still more than $32,000. It only seats four people, a major drawback to families, and its cargo area is exceptionally small at only 10.6 cu.-ft. While it has two LATCH points and plenty of standard safety equipment, plus excellent crash test scores from the IIHS, they're not enough to overcome the Volt's physical limitations.

Note: The EPA mileage estimates shown below are for gasoline-only operation.

Specifications

Price


MSRP $40,280
Destination $720
Engine Type Electric
Horsepower 111 hp
Torque 273 lb.-ft.
Fuel Premium Unleaded
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
Transmission Continuously Variable

Fuel Economy

EPA City


35 mpg
EPA Highway 40 mpg
EPA Combined 37 mpg

Utility

Vehicle Type


Compact
Family Friendliness 6.8
Doors Five
Seat Rows Two
Passengers Four
LATCH Positions Two
Cargo Space 10.6 cu. ft.
NHTSA Overall 5 Stars
NHTSA Front 4 Stars
NHTSA Side 5 Stars
NHTSA Rollover 5 Stars
IIHS Front Good
IIHS Side Good
IIHS Rear Good
Stability Control Standard
Traction Control Standard
Brake Assist Standard
Side Airbags Thorax and Curtain
Collision Avoidance Not Available
Active Cruise Control Not Available

Photos

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