The second-generation Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid is about to enter its third calendar 12 months of existence, so the powers that be are throwing a number of key updates in its course. There’s completely no change in the way it seems, however that is nice, as a result of the Volt expertise is all about what goes on beneath that pores and skin, and which means Chevy targeted on making its already-good hybrid even higher.
Approachable in and out
The Volt lacks the head-turning robotic aesthetic of its predecessor, however when the aim is to persuade the mass market to think about an introduction to electrification, taking the conservative styling route is the sensible one. Depart the bizarre seems to the Bolt EV.
Inside, liberal use of crease-free swaths of exhausting plastic means the cabin seems higher than it feels — a powerful indicator that many of the automobile’s window sticker comes from the center, not the pores and skin. Visibility is sweet each fore and aft. The seats are supportive, and the new-for-2019 energy driver’s seat is a useful addition. I additionally like that Chevy moved the wi-fi cellphone charger to a extra wise location on the middle console as a substitute of underneath the armrest, which implies much less fumbling for my cellphone on my method out of the automobile.
One-and-a-half-pedal driving
The 2019 Volt’s powertrain stays the identical as earlier than. It pairs a 149-horsepower, 294-pound-foot electrical motor to an 18.Four-kilowatt-hour battery and a 1.5-liter range-extending gasoline I4. That is sufficient for 53 miles of electric-only operation by EPA estimates. New for 2019 is a 7.2-kW charger that is optionally available on the LT trim and commonplace on Premium, which drops 240-volt charging time from Four.5 hours to 2.three. Plug into a normal wall outlet, although, and put together to attend for 13 hours.
Within the hills of Vermont, 53 miles is a tricky quantity to hit, because of an entire lot of uphill climbs. However with the moment torque from the Volt’s electrical motor, climbing and passing is a breeze. The Volt’s Regular mode is my favourite, because it gives the most effective mix of effectivity and energy — I discover Sport mode a bit too thirsty for electrons. On the freeway, I shift over to Maintain mode, which maintains the battery’s present cost. The battery drains rapidly on the freeway, so it is extra environment friendly to let the vary extender work a bit on the freeway, switching again to electric-only operation when the going will get slower.
Should you stay within the mountains, there is a particular Mountain mode that forestalls the automobile from juicing as much as 100 % — that method, if the primary a part of the commute is totally downhill, the automobile will use brake regeneration so as to add that final little bit of cost, saving a couple of dollars’ price of electrons within the course of.
The Volt’s brake regen system works nice, slowing the automobile right down to about three mph in each mode, falling simply in need of being a real one-pedal automobile. Further regen is feasible with the shifter in L, and even extra comes by means of the on-demand regeneration paddle behind the steering wheel. That stated, the paddle’s additional help comes on swiftly, which brought about my head to bob ahead each time. A smoother engagement can be a pleasant enchancment.
One of the fascinating updates to the 2019 Volt can solely be skilled from outdoors. Chevrolet created a brand new alert system that makes use of front- and rear-pointing exterior audio system to emit a noise at low speeds to make the automobile simpler for pedestrians to detect. It really works nicely, as a result of after I first heard it, I puzzled which colleague was listening to their Enya album too loudly. You may get an concept of what it feels like via this link.
The gamification of electric-vehicle driving makes you need to enhance your driving with each outing. I am at all times attempting to outdo myself.
Chevrolet
Higher infotainment, and a greater digital camera, too
The foremost outward-facing updates for the 2019 Volt come from the tech. The Volt’s heart stack will get an improve to Chevrolet’s Infotainment three system, which is a elaborate method of claiming it is the identical reskinned software program that first appeared in Cadillac’s latest CUE. It seems good, it is lots responsive and it even permits person logins that carry all of your saved favorites (music, navigation, and many others.) entrance and heart, even when it is the primary time logging into that particular car.
The gauge cluster additionally will get a visible replace that brings it nearer to the look of the Bolt EV. It will possibly show all method of necessary info concurrently, together with the highway velocity, battery capability and the meter that factors out whether or not the automobile is utilizing or producing electrical energy. I by no means have to dive into the hybrid-specific menus on the infotainment system with all the pieces in entrance of my face like this, and I at all times recognize diminished distraction.
Chevy additionally added a brand new backup digital camera for 2019, and I’m geeked. Previous to this, Basic Motors’ backup cameras have been a number of the worst within the business because of its first-generation-camera-phone decision. This new digital camera is far sharper, which implies I can truly see what’s behind me.
As for different security methods, they’re solely out there on the highest Premier trim. A bundle provides blind spot monitoring and rear parking sensors to the bottom LT, however in order for you autobrake, ahead collision warning and lane-keep help, you want the Premier. That is not a superb look in 2018, when most automakers are pushing out that form of tech to even essentially the most naked bones of base fashions.
Should you do not thoughts this a lot exhausting plastic in a automobile that begins at $35,000, you will have a good time behind the wheel.
Chevrolet
Right down to brass tacks
Should you’re of the assumption that an electrified car does not should make its presence identified by wild styling, the Chevy Volt is a better option than one thing just like the Toyota Prius Prime, which seems bizarre and packs half the EV vary. You may get one thing even extra pedestrian, just like the Sonata Plug-In that is primarily based on the common Sonata, however once more, the vary is roughly half that of the Volt’s.
That huge battery is certainly one of many causes to like the 2019 Chevrolet Volt. It is the form of automobile that’s content material to let the powertrain do the speaking (or lack thereof), and its complement of tech may not be essentially the most egalitarian, but it surely’s contemporary and provides a tech-hungry purchaser lots to swoon over.
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