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2011 Chevrolet Volt Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Change Year or Change Vehicle
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.
Kelley Blue Book Value®
$9,677 - $11,614
Used Fair Purchase Price Range
Crash Test
Source: NHTSA.gov
MPG (up to)
35 City / 40 HWY
Horsepower
Seats
4
4.17 Owner Reviews (6) 3.3 Expert Reviews Photos (78) Video Reviews (4) Compare Models & Features For Sale Near Me (1)

Expert Review

By Kelley Blue Book Editorial Staff
3.3 Overall Score
Performance
3.5
Interior
3.6
Comfort
3.3
Value
2.9

Editor's Overview

Show Full Review
What's New Interior Features Exterior Features Driving Impressions Pricing Notes Notable Equipment

Chevrolet Volt Models & Trims

5dr HB - $9,677 - $11,614

Horsepower:
Engine Type: Electric/Gas I4
Standard Seating: Cloth
Standard Wheels: 17 x 7.0 (in.) Aluminum
  • Bluetooth
  • Navigation System
  • Heated Seats (Optional)
  • Sunroof
  • Back-Up Camera (Optional)
  • Premium Audio
  • Smart Device Integration
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot
  • Keyless Start
  • Keyless Entry
  • Automated Emergency Braking
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Cross-Traffic Alert
  • Lane Departure Warning

Owner Reviews

4.17
5 star
50%
4 star
17%
3 star
33%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%

Comfortable with gas efficiency.

Well built, sturdy, easy to control, fun to drive, comfortable, little blind spots, handles decent in the winter but snow tires are a need, does well in the rain, gas efficient. Would recommend to a new driver. Easy to control. Would recommend to any one.
Samantha W
Helpful

Lovely, economic and comfortable car!!!

It was a very economic car, I really enjoyed it. It's a really good car to start driving and learning. Eventually my younger brother used it and learned to drive too with the Chevrolet Volt, very comfortable car and super nice to drive.
Enzo Z
Helpful

It is a great car and I am told I can get 250,000 miles on it and I really think I can, perhaps more.

I really think it is ridiculous that you did not have SATURN VUE 2005 Listed because that is the car I have. I love it and have had very little trouble with it. It has 173,000 miles on it right now.
Dot C
Helpful
See All Reviews (6)

Video Reviews

Should you buy a used Chevy Volt? Behind the Wheel In Depth Electric Car Review  2011 Model

Should you buy a used Chevy Volt? Behind the Wheel In Depth Electric Car Review 2011 Model

122,618 views
Should you buy a used Chevy Volt? Behind the Wheel In Depth Electric Car Review  2011 Model
Should you buy a used Chevy Volt? Behind the Wheel In Depth Electric Car Review 2011 Model
122,618 views
2011 Chevy Volt
2011 Chevy Volt
58,620 views
Chevrolet Volt Review - Everyday Driver
Chevrolet Volt Review - Everyday Driver
345,782 views
2012 Chevrolet Volt Start Up, Engine, Test Drive, and In Depth Review
2012 Chevrolet Volt Start Up, Engine, Test Drive, and In Depth Review
337,958 views

Compare Models & Key Features

For Sale Near Me

Crash Test Results: Front, Side & Rollover

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides consumers with information about crash protection and rollover safety

  • Overall
  • Front
  • Side
  • Rollover

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a non-profit group which conducts safety testing beyond federal regulations. "Good" is the highest rating.

  • Moderate Overlap Front G
  • Side G
  • Roof Strength G
  • Driver-side Overlap Front N/A
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor

Safety Features

  • StabiliTrak, stability control system with brake assist includes Traction Control *
  • Daytime Running Lamps, LED illumination
  • Air bags, dual-stage frontal, side-impact and knee for driver and front passenger and roof-rail side-impact for front and rear outboard seating positions includes Passenger Sensing System (Head curtain side air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to front and rear seat outboard occupants on the near side of certain side-impact collisions. Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child's age and size. Even in vehicles equipped with air bags and the Passenger Sensing System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate infant, child or booster seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. See the Owner's Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.)
  • OnStar, 5 years of Directions and Connections plan includes Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance including Stolen Vehicle Slowdown and Remote Ignition Block, Remote Door Unlock, Destination Download and OnStar eNav (where available), OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, Roadside Assistance, Remote Horn and Lights, and Hands Free Calling. (Visit onstar.com for details and system limitations.) *
  • Automatic Crash Response *
  • Pedestrian friendly alert, driver activated horn chirp using turn signal lever
  • Safety belts, 3-point, all seating positions includes front seat dual pretensioners
  • Lockout switch, child, rear doors and windows, electronic control
  • LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for CHildren), for child safety seats
  • Tire Pressure Monitor System
* Optional Safety Feature

Long-Term Reliability

J.D. Power Ratings 2

JD Power's Initial Quality Study measures issues with a vehicle the first 90 days after purchase.

  • ‌Overall ?
  • Mechanical ?
  • Powertrain Quality ?
  • Body & Interior Design ?
  • ‌Features ?
Among the best
Better than most
About average
The rest

Safety Recalls (1)

  • .
    Engine And Engine Cooling Mar 13, 2015
    Report Receipt Date:
    Mar 13, 2015
    NHTSA Campaign:
    15V145000
    Summary:
    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013. If the driver exits the vehicle without turning off the electrical system, the battery may drain low enough that the gasoline engine will automatically start itself to recharge the electric battery.
    Consequence:
    If the engine runs for an extended period of time in an enclosed space, there may be a build up of carbon monoxide, increasing the risk of personal injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software to limit the time that the stationary vehicle can be left in the ON position, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14617.

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Expert Rating 3.3 /5 What's New Interior Features Exterior Features Driving Impressions Pricing Notes Notable Equipment
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Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price (Used)

Updated weekly, the Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price for used cars is generally the midpoint of the Fair Market Range. It is Kelley Blue Book's estimate of what a consumer can reasonably expect to pay this week in their area for this year, make and model used vehicle with typical miles and configured with their selected options, excluding taxes, title and fees, when buying from a dealer. It's based on actual used-car transactions, plus data from other reliable third-party sources as well as market conditions.

Kelly Blue Book® values and pricing are based in part on transactions in your area.

J.D. Power Ratings Disclaimer

2. J.D. Power’s Power Circles Ratings do not include all information used to determine J.D. Power awards. See jdpower.com for more information. Your experience may vary. All information provided by J.D. Power is owned by J.D. Power and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power, other than printing copies of the J.D.Power content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power.

Initial Quality Study: After 90 days.

J.D. Power Ratings Disclaimer

Taken from the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership, this score is based on problems with the engine or transmission as well as problems that affect the driving experience (i.e., vehicle/brakes pull, abnormal noises or vibrations).
Taken from the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership, this score is based on problems that have caused a complete breakdown or malfunction of any component, feature, or item (i.e., components that stop working or trim pieces that break or come loose).
Taken from the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership, this score is based on problems with the engine or transmission as well as problems that affect the driving experience (i.e., excessive brake dust, brake noise, excessive oil consumption and battery failed).
Taken from the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership, this score is based on problems with exterior, seats and interior (i.e., memory seat controls difficult to use, center console difficult to use and materials scuffs/soils easily).
Taken from the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which looks at owner-reported problems in the first 90 days of new-vehicle ownership, this score is based on problems with the windshield wipers, navigation system, rear-seat entertainment system, heater, air conditioner, stereo system, sunroof and trip computer.

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2011 Chevrolet Volt

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Our automotive experts have over 50 years of collective automotive journalism experience writing for outlets such as Automobile, Car and Driver, Auto Express, Edmunds.com, MSN Autos, more than 75 newspapers across the country including The Chicago Tribune, and more. Now we have harnessed their talents to create a unique type of review that brings the best of the web together in a single opinion that readers can act on.

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How We Test Cars

The Car Connection’s experts test-drive completely new models as well as cars that have been substantially updated with new styling, new safety gear, and new engines and transmissions. The team also drives some models that haven’t seen major changes as needed to refresh their opinions of the car. In nearly all cases, our experts have driven the vehicle in question in its current form, for the hands-on experience needed to bring you the best advice.

There are a few vehicles that have not been driven by our experts due to availability. In those cases, The Car Connection’s reviews bring you the highlights from the most respected sources around the Web. In the rare cases where The Car Connection’s team of experts has not recently driven a car, we will still bring together the consensus opinion from around the Web and update the review when they get some “seat time” in the car.

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We’re rating cars based on Style, Performance, Comfort, Quality, Safety, Features, and Green. Most categories start at 5 (average) and go up or down from there.

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Safety: Cars with official crash data gain points for a five-star overall rating by the NHTSA, or Top Safety Pick status by the IIHS. Cars with Top Safety Pick+ status are awarded an additional point for those advanced safety features. An additional point is awarded for cars with exceptional safety features such as parking assistance, surround-view camera systems, or autonomous-driving features. Cars with official crash data lose points for a four-star overall rating by NHTSA, “Poor” ratings by the IIHS, any three-star NHTSA ratings, no standard rearview camera, poor outward vision, or any special notes by the IIHS or federal testers. Cars without crash data aren’t given a rating at all.

Features: Cars with excellent base equipment earn a point above average. Extra points can be added for exceptional available features, good customization options, good infotainment systems with screens larger than 5.0 inches, and good warranty or service programs. Cars may lose points for sub-standard or expensive features; bad feature packages; poor relative value; or bad warranty or service availability.

Green: Cars are assigned a rating based on their EPA-estimated highway and combined mileage ratings. Plug-in and battery-electric vehicles start at 8. Electric-only cars with a range of more than 250 miles; plug-in electric cars with an EV range of more than 50 miles; or cars with a combined equivalent MPGe rating of more than 100 mpg earn a perfect score.

What’s New?

Our rating system better reflects how people look at their cars. We start in the middle, and add or take away points based on features, usability and driveability. It’s pretty simple!

A clearer path to 10—and 0. Our system is designed to better identify what’s exceptional in new cars.

Our ratings are reviewed by experts, every week. Editors constantly evaluate every new car rating to make sure we’re giving readers the best information.

We’re asking for discussion. We want to be as transparent as possible, so we’re inviting readers to discuss our ratings with the experts.

It’s not like grade school. Our ratings go from 1-10 with 5 being an average score. In the past, most of our ratings have fallen between 6 and 8 and while our new ratings may have lower scores, it doesn’t mean we like the car any less. An overall score of 5 is average—anything above is better than average.

How Do We Get There?

For most ratings, we start at 5 and work our way up—or down. Cars gain and lose points based on feature availability, affordability, comfort, and quality relative to their competition.

Some of our ratings are based on specific criteria. Safety ratings, for example, are based on official crash data from both of the major U.S. safety organizations. Green scores are calculated on mileage estimates from the EPA.

All of our ratings are open to the public. Wherever possible, we’ll tell you how we’ve rated a car and why we arrived at the score we did.

We’ve added an “N/A” rating. For cars without official crash safety ratings or other data by authorities, we’ve removed those numbers from the overall score to give readers a better measure for that car’s actual performance. We’ll tell you why we’re withholding a score, and we’ll add those in as those become available.

We’ve factored “Green” into the overall average. We know many readers and shoppers prioritize fuel economy and we’re rewarding efficient cars.

The Car Connection’s experts consult these professional review sources when writing our reviews:

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How Often Are Ratings Changed?

We re-evaluate our ratings for new cars at least once a month—if not more.

How Can I Tell If You Recommend A Car?

We’ll tell you! For most models, we’ll identify our picks for powertrain and popular combinations we think are important to buy.

We’re changing our rating system to better serve our readers and start a conversation about new cars on the road today. We take seriously our responsibility to you and we want to be open and transparent.