Unlike conventional hybrids, which drive the wheels with electric or gas power, the Volt is a battery-powered electric car that has a gas-powered range-extending generator onboard to keep the car going if the charge runs out. The Volt is essentially a four-door hatchback family car with two rear seats separated by a console that houses part of the car’s long, T-shaped battery pack.
New for 2015 The OnStar communication system adds 4G LTE internet connectivity with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. A three-month/3-gigabyte data trial is included. The capacity of the Volt’s lithium-ion battery pack is up slightly to 17.1 kilowatt-hours, but the EPA’s all-electric range estimate remains 38 miles.
Below is a list of highlighted features and not an exhaustive list. Features are standard unless otherwise noted.
Exterior Highlights
Conventional gas filler door on the right rear fender and a charging port on the driver-side front fender
LED daytime running lights
Power-adjustable heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals
17-inch aluminum wheels
Available front and rear parking sensors
Rear spoiler
Interior Highlights
Seats four
Cloth seats; available leather upholstery
10.6-cubic-foot cargo area
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
Automatic air conditioning
Touch-sensitive center controls
Cruise control
Manually adjustable front seats
Split-folding rear seat with available center armrest
CD stereo with 7-inch touch-screen and USB port
MyLink multimedia system with available navigation
Bluetooth streaming audio
Pandora and Stitcher compatibility with connected smartphone
Available Bose premium speakers
Under the Hood
350-volt, 17.1-kwh lithium-ion battery pack powers 149-horsepower electric motor
84-hp, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine kicks in when battery is depleted to drive an electric generator
Recharge time of 10 to 16 hours using common 120-volt household power
Recharge time drops to about four hours with 240 volts, which requires a charging station that’s sold separately
Car allows owners to schedule charging times to take advantage of off-peak rates
Application for smartphones gives owners remote control over charging along with detailed monitoring capability
Front-wheel drive
Safety Features
Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system
Front-row knee airbags
Side-impact airbags for the front seats
Side curtain airbags
OnStar three-year trial subscription, which includes automatic crash notification in the event of an airbag deployment
