2017 Chevy Volt Review: GM's Mistake in Stopping Hybrid Production

Chevy Volt: A Hybrid Success Story

• 💡 The 2017 Chevy Volt is highlighted as a successful plug-in hybrid that offered the best of both worlds: electric range for daily commutes and gasoline for longer trips.
• 🚀 It provided approximately 53 miles on electricity before engaging the hybrid gasoline engine, effectively eliminating range anxiety.
• 🚗 The owner loves the Volt, appreciating its paint quality, safety features (survivors of a severe rear-end collision), and overall reliability, with one owner reaching 180,000 miles.

GM's Strategic Missteps with Electric Vehicles

• 📉 GM's decision to discontinue the Volt and focus on full electric vehicles like the Chevy Bolt is criticized as a major strategic error.
• ⚠️ The Chevy Bolt is described as a massive failure with horrible range, leading to its discontinuation and a planned, uncertain comeback in 2027 as a full electric car.
• 🎯 In contrast, companies like Toyota have successfully improved their hybrids and plug-in hybrids, which are selling very well.

Reliability and Maintenance of the Chevy Volt

• 🔧 While early Volt engines had issues and blew up under warranty, this 2017 model features an improved engine and has been reliable for its owner.
• ⚙️ Regenerative braking is a key feature, significantly reducing wear on the physical brakes, with one owner never needing a brake job.
• ⚠️ When buying a used Volt, it's crucial to have a mechanic with a high-voltage diagnostic tool to check the battery health and other systems, especially given the car's complexity.

Performance and Efficiency

• 📊 The Volt achieves an impressive EPA-estimated 162 MPGe, combining electric and gasoline efficiency.
• 💨 Acceleration is smooth and comparable in both hybrid and full electric modes, as the electric motor often drives the car, with the engine recharging the system.
• 🛣️ The car offers a comfortable ride, good handling due to its weight, and a total range of around 420 miles with a full charge and gas tank.

GM's Future and Hybrid Potential

• 🤔 The reviewer questions GM's decision to stop making the Volt, calling the company "hollow inside" and suggesting they should bring back the hybrid model.
• 📈 The demand for hybrid vehicles is high, with long wait times for popular models like the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.
• 💡 The Volt is presented as a well-designed vehicle that GM should reconsider, especially given the current market's preference for hybrids over pure EVs.