2015 Chev Volt
Why shouldn't I buy the 2015 Chev Volt?

Chevrolet's plug-in hybrid hatchback comes of age for 2015, now a second-generation veteran of the road with 2 powertrain choices. The Volt isn't leaving electric behind, however—Chevrolet is simply evolving the technology, offering a more advanced but physically smaller powerplant as a new top-shelf option. This option also just so happens to open up a fifth seat, if the rumors are true. Otherwise the new Volt is expected to remain pretty much in the same form that won it a top spot in U.S. sales, as well as our hearts.
The redesigned and as yet unnamed trim is expected to arrive later this year with 60 miles of electric-only range as opposed to the 38 offered in the original edition, but yet more overall range than the now-entry-level Volt's 380 miles. That original Volt is still expected to offer reasonably comfortable seating for 4 folks under 6-feet tall, but the new one is rumored for 5 seats with more leg- and headroom thanks to that much improved battery pack.
Fuel economy and overall power are still big mysteries on this new model, but the incumbent Volt manages 60 mph in 9 seconds with its 37-mpg 4-cylinder engine paired with an 111-kilowatt electric motor. Power output amounts to 149 hp and 273 lb-ft/torque for the pair, ending up with an economy estimate around 98 mpge.
Chevrolet also didn't mention anything about the new Volt's time to recharge, but the goal has always been to keep it convenient for the average American's schedule. The older setup charges in 10.5 hours on a standard 120-volt household outlet, or 4.25 hours with the specialized 240-volt hook-up—basically letting you recharge while you're at work or sleeping. It's safe to expect something similar, if not a bit longer for the greater capacity.
It's also safe to expect the same front-wheel drive and surprisingly upscale features like 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, LED running lights, heated mirrors, remote and keyless ignition/entry, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, OnStar and MyLink connectivity, and a 6-speaker stereo with touchscreen interface, CD player, satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack and USB connectivity all standard.
Chevrolet is also expected to keep offering both Base and Premium trims, but how they may be arranged is unknown. Reason being, the original Volt relied on a lot of manual controls like hand-cranked seats to conserve power. Since the new one is expected to have more electric capacity, it might also offer a few more of the modern conveniences we've grown so used to loving—maybe even memory for driver's settings.
As for cargo, the original Volt isn't expected to expand on its 10 cubic feet available in the trunk. There's no official word on the new Volt's capacity, but you can expect its rear bench to fold down just like the original. Although the platform for the new Volt is expected to be used in the 2018 Cruze as well, the battery pack is a big variable in what might be left under the Volt's hatch—and Chevy isn't getting specific on the Cruze's trunk space either anyway.
Why shouldn't I buy the 2015 Chev Volt?
I see where the outside temperature is reported. I see where I can set the cabin temperature. However, what I don't see is a display of what the actual temperature is if I have the display on fan only, which is energy saving, but it would be helpful to know that temperature.
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.16
Engine
EV battery capacity: 17 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 3.3 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 149 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 111 · Electric Motor Torque: 273 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator Displacement: 1.4 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator HP: 83 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator Number of Cylinders: 4 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 4 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 38
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Travel Link · Infotainment: MyLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.5 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: rear console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.16
Engine
EV battery capacity: 17 kWh · EV on-board charger rating: 3.3 kW · Electric Charge Cord: 120 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 149 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 111 · Electric Motor Torque: 273 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator Displacement: 1.4 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator HP: 83 · Electric Vehicle Extended Range Generator Number of Cylinders: 4 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 4 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 38
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: SiriusXM Travel Link · Infotainment: MyLink · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse