Absolute bulletproof car. Leased a 2012. Liked it so much, I turned that one in and purchased a 2012 lease return in 2015 with 27K mi (heavily discounted as that model year was inexplicably depreciated). Has 84K now and it has never seen the dealer for a repair. Changed the oil a couple of times, new set of tires, and only recently changed the original 12V battery. Battery range is near original. Best & most reliable car I have owned in over 40 yrs of car ownership. Rides like glass. Cost of ownership is nuts low. Not perfect, but damn close. Best kept secret in an overpriced 2021-22 car market.
People here are starting to find this out. (in europe) the Opel Ampera. I got one cheap, and now i can sell it for even more. Nowadays get around 70km in summer, and 50+ in winter out of the battery. Just as advertised. Car is from 2013, no degradation what so ever.... charge at work drive home and drive to work and charge it again. The car has some drawbacks yes. A lot of things are weird about it. But yeah, it's a weird car. But it's comfortable quiet, and great audio system. (Sadly no Bluetooth high definition connection.) It's also starting to look technically old. But overall it's a great second hand car. The engine gets very little stress, and therefore probably can do a lot of kilometers.
@@ItsMe-ic7on I replaced the 12V starting battery, not the drive battery. The 12V, $130 or so. The drive battery? Not there yet and don’t want to find out.
@@robhdez5048 do some checking around I have seen on other videos where people have checked for like say the Prius and they got one heck of a reduction in price for from reputable places
I have a '13 Volt and love it. Best car I've ever had, but I would never buy one new now if they were available. The Volt was built as a compromise to deal with lacking EV infrastructure and expensive batteries. It is now cheaper and arguably better to build an EV. I'd still recommend a Volt as a used car, but if I was buying new, there is no doubt it would be an EV.
I have a 2020 Bolt and I can go several days without needing to plug it in. Unless you're doing cross country trips that you'd need to make more than 1-2 dc quick charge stops, a full 200-240 mile capacity every time you leave the garage is pretty great.
@@eouchi2455 nothing has broken on it, these cars were way over built. I put stickier tires on it so I get about 30 miles of range in the summer, about 20 in the winter. I get 35mpg once the gas engine kicks on
*YOUR THE ONLY CAR GUY I CAN LISTEN TO ALL THE WAY THROUGH WITHOUT EVEN SKIPPING THE VIDEO !! I LOVE IT MAN !! IT'S THE GOOD OL STORY OF IT ALL FOR ME 😁😁* *WATCH OUT FOR THEM BIRDS 👍🏿😉*
It definitely does, problem is the volt has basically no backseat room and not very good cargo room either. So from a practical standpoint it's a lot worse than a Prius. I would have bought one a long time ago instead of my Prius if it had a decent backseat. But you cannot put three in the back seat in the older versions and in the newer versions it actually has a seat belt but it's still essentially a useless middle seat. I think the mistake was building the volt on the Chevy Cruze platform, they should have picked a slightly larger car to allow more practical interior space. But if I could use a car where I didn't need the back seat? I would definitely buy one of these. They're apparently super reliable I've seen a couple UA-camrs with over 500,000 mi on one. The Toyota Prius is certainly boring, but it's more comfortable probably more reliable and vastly more practical. I've got a 2008 with 390,000 on it. It's a tool for a job, that's it. I'm not a tree hugger in the least. But it's the most practical vehicle with the highest efficiency if you drive for a living.
Just bought one in 2023, used 2012 model with 19k original miles for $14,200 before taxes, fees, etc. Throw in the $4000 federal tax credit and these are pretty fkin stellar daily drivers for the price.
I bought my 2012 candy apple red Premium Volt in 2018. She had around 63k miles on her and was in near-mint condition. She's the best car that I have ever owned... and only $9k for a 6-year-old $45k car. I've used around 100 gallons of gas in 5 years of driving her over 20k miles. I loved your non-technical review... a person who just appreciates the car. You should start a "Comedy Car Review" channel where you do just what you did! You're hilarious!!! I'm a retired electrical engineer after 40 years, with 4 engineering degrees, 3 from Dartmouth, and 17 US patents (in cellular and wireless). I love my 2012 Volt for its incredibly complex engineering, its advanced passenger controls, its great MPG equivalent, and it being ALL electric for typically 98% of my driving... yet, I could drive across the US and back without worrying about where to plug her in, if ever.
I hope your battery lasts a few more years. I bought my second used Gen 1 volt a year ago for $6k. The thing that makes it great is that this car got a fresh battery in 2022.
I own a 2013, got it at 55K miles and have put about 10K more on it. Absolutely love it as my daily driver. Looks and drives great, gives me power when I need it. I have a charger at home and work. They upgraded these with better electric range and regular gasoline in 2016. Very well built car by GM. Yes the buttons could be more ergonomic but they grow on you, you only ever use 2-3 anyway. It's the size of a Civic but the weight of a full size Audi, very maneuverable and fun to drive.
Finally a car guy who loves both classics and wants to review newer cars without being a pretentious reviewer. "Im not getting into the hyper kilowatt shit" You earned a chuckle and a sub! Look forward for more! Greetings from Hendry County FL!!
I've had my 2015 Volt for a little over four years. Best daily driver decision I've ever made. Love it. It handles like a go cart. Lots of fun to drive. $1.50 to charge it and go for 36 miles. On gasoline only it gets about 34 on the highway.
I've had my 2012 Volt for 5 years... best car that I have ever owned. I get 40 miles on a $1.20 charge and 40 MPG on gas. Plus, it's great technically and instant torque on acceleration!
Got a 2017, used 2 years ago at 17k. The 2nd gen volt is an awesome car and much better then the 1st gen. Gets 60 to 65 miles range, 65 if you don't use AC. Dash is simplified without all the buttons too 👍
I myself driving the Opel Ampera / european "brother" of the Volt since 2013, and I love it do death. Your review gave a few laughs, thank you for that! But beside of that - absolutely on point!
love your personality, really helping me out with my used car research! stuck between this and a 2017 cruze, but im a daily commuter for my work and honestly i'd be saving so much with this volt, might have to go with this, just want a nice car i can be proud of while saving a stack
I have a Volt and love it. Best decision you'll make especially if you find one in mint condition preferably one owner who did all the maintenance and battery recall for you. One month in and loving mine especially with these crazy high gas prices 😊
I have read many comments, all in English. I'm going to make my modest aside, because I own a 2012 Chevy Volt. For more than two years, even before I bought it, I read documents and watched dozens of videos before I bought it. But since I'm still in love with him, I still delight in watching these videos and reading all his comments. I think this car in general, you either love it or hate it. Most of the cars are the same as the others and therefore are ignored. This one is different and that is why I have said the above. But if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that most of us love him. He leído muchos comentarios, todos en Inglés. Voy a hacer mi modesto aparte, porque soy dueño de un 2012 Chevy Volt. Desde hace más de dos años, incluso antes de comprarlo, leí documentos y vi decenas de videos antes de comprarlo. Pero como sigo enamorado de el, aun me deleito en ver estos videos y leer todos sus comentarios. Yo creo que este auto por lo general, o lo amas o lo odias. La mayoría de los autos son iguales a los demás y por tanto, se ignoran. Este es diferente y es por eso he digo lo anterior. Pero si de algo estoy seguro es que la mayoría, lo amamos. Its predecessor, the 1996 GM EV1, was fascinating to me, it just didn't come in time with the lithium batteries. And honor to whom honor deserves! My 2012 still drives 31 or 32 miles on each charge. The only thing I wish from it would be to get more miles in electric mode, but when I think of it as a 10 year old car, I smile and say, "Long live the King" Thanks for the well done video. Thanks also for all the comments that make the next outing that I enjoy once again. Greetings from Tampa, Florida. Su antecesor, el 1996 GM EV1, para mí, fue fascinante, solo que no llegó a tiempo con las baterías de litio. Y honor a quien honor merece! Mi 2012 sigue conduciendo 31 o 32 millas con cada carga. Lo único que desearía de él sería poder disfrutar más millas en modo eléctrico, pero cuando pienso que es un auto de 10 años viejos, sonrío y digo: "Vida al Rey" Gracias por el video tan bien logrado. Gracias también por todos los comentarios que hacen que la próximo salido que de en el, la disfrute una vez má. Saludos desde Tampa, Florida.
As a Prius owner seeking to upgrade, I'm seriously considering buying this domestic alternative to the Toyota. Thx Rob for your review, but I wasn't expecting to laugh my arce off. Best car review 👌 🤣⚡️🚗
I owned a 2013 Volt for about 18 months and it was a reliable, quality car. However, it had poor resale value. The Volt is not a hybrid. It is an extended range electric vehicle. The theory behind the Volt was that you would use the gas motor when driving efficiently like on a highway and then use the electric motor when driving less efficiently in the city.
Honestly, that's the part about it I like from the perspective of bang for the buck. To pay $45K for one would have sucked, but now that they're pretty cheap they're kind of a deal.
I just got a 2019, and I concur. Quite a bit different than my wife's 2013. Hers is like new, she's only put 40,000 miles on the thing and treats it like a baby.
2019 here and best car I've owned. Excellent acceleration, under a dollar to fully recharge (I pay 5 cents kWh). I charge at home and work 99% of the time. When I go on longer trips, I HOLD the battery for the small town driving and get around 45-50mpg when on the gas engine. The human interface controls are excellent, the hatchback can hold ridiculous amount (I packed two huge rolls of 300 ft of pex tubing, plus all tools I needed to install it. I can easily pack my ice fishing shack and gear in the back). Great car even for upper midwest winters!
I am more of a classic car owner (Mercedes 124 cab, Porsche 914, and a Figaro in my garage at the moment). I bought a 2013 Volt a few years ago as a quick replacement when my Alfa Giulia got bought back under lemon law. I thought it was a cheap yet interesting car for my daily commute here in MI. I just haven’t seen a reason to trade it. It was cheap to buy, costs almost nothing to operate, and has proven to be a reliable, comfortable and practical car on a few road trips where I average around 36 mpg running just on gas. Even on our potholed roads that look like the surface of the moon it’s remained tight and rattle-free. You review was entertaining and very accurate!
Yes! Great daily driver! Cheap and fun! Gone is the 600 HP V12 AMG car. In with the Volt. And, I am having fun testing my goal of one small gas fill up this month! Cheers!
I want to say I really enjoyed your review you’re awesome you’re really funny and you kept me very very entertained. Thank you for the information. I’m definitely in the process of buying actually this car 2012 so thank you so much for the review.
So I’ve been driving this exact same year and premium model for about two years, it may look complex when you first get in it but it becomes so easy to use, it’s a very comfortable car, I have almost 150,000 miles and no creeks, it’s very well put together as it should be because it was 43-44,000 new before tax rebate. Of the many cool features for this car I was very shocked and stoked that for 2012 it’s supports Amazon Alexa and Google assistant, I can have Alexa start the car, turn on the heated seats, Lock it, unlock it, Anything you can do with the remote, and also she notifies me if someone is tampering with it, I know a lot of new cars have that but for 2012 it was pretty cool. I don’t recommend this as a used car though because only the dealers can work on it and my car has been an electrical nightmare that the dealer can’t diagnose, get a Prius prime instead
They built this car like it was to last forever. Bullet proof. Mine's a 2014 and I still get 80km+ out of a single charge. Not all the time, but often enough.
Mines got 160 thousand km now my father bought it back in 2012 and it is so reliable it is insane and I can't charge it everywhere and I got 6 liters per 100km
wow, that's high. I am at 1.6l/100km and my sis at lower than 0.9 (doesn't indicate less), I guess she's now at 0.6 or less. She really only uses fuel when the FMM/EMM kicks in. Best cars ever.@@fabianboesch96
I have owned a 2012 for many years without any issues other than tires and recently replaced the 12 volt battery. It’s kept a smile on my wife and my wallet
😂 Love this guy. Doesn't give a shit about being offensive, good sense of humor, honest review. Hopefully this guy is still around. I'd love to buy this guy a beer just for being blunt!
hello internet viewers, this fella tells the truth. Ive had a 2014 volt from new. anyone considering buying a used volt...DO IT! terrific solid car. Likely over-built to prove a point. put it in L and sport mode...
If you like the Chevrolet Cruze you’ll love the Volt. It’s the same basic car turned into a PHEV. The only downside is that the seats are a bit uncomfortable if you’re 6 ft. tall like me. I was impressed with how well it drove in 2011 when I worked in sales at a Chevrolet dealership. The technology inside is impressive, especially from Chevrolet.
An oversimplification. Wheels have a different bolt pattern, the wipers pivot from the sides - the platform is the same, but that is really about it. Oh, I guess the Chev emblems may be the same. That you worked in sales at a Chev dealership really says it all.
I've bought euro version opel ampera and put now 5k miles on it. Love it for exactly the reasons mentioned here. I'm a fossil fuel kind of guy and hated electric cars, but this is smooth and I don't care if there is a working charge station where I go or not. Great car and concept, whoever decided to stop producing these at GM is an idiot. They should just slightly increase battery capacity and sell it now, it would do much better than it did in 2012.
The problem was demand. They couldn't get the average consumer to understand why it was different from other hybrids and better than even the latest "Plug in Hybrids" because it could operate like a true electric car.
I have a 2012 volt with 108K miles. Never any problem. Low maintenance costs. The car keeps track of gas mileage over the lifetime that I’ve had it it says 125 miles per gallon. I’ve saved a lot of money and gas and maintenance and also kept a ton of carbon out of the atmosphere. Yes there are issues with mining certain exotic materials, however those are getting corrected pretty quickly. There are also companies out there that can recycle EV batteries and reclaim 80% of the materials from each battery pack for reuse. The next 3 to 5 years will include the release of many practical, affordable and yes environmentally friendly cars. Anytime you manufacture anything including rifles and pistols there’s an environmental impact.
I think the volt was a great idea. Currently needing a second vehicle and seriously thinking about one. It has come down to a TDI, Volt, and Prius so far. The TDI is what I've always wanted but with the current moron in office (they all are, really) and the diesel crises they keep pushing, I am having a hard time justifying that purchase. The Prius is nice but holds high values and most have a stupid amount of miles for the money right now. The Volt appears to be the best most reasonably priced option.
I have a 2011 Volt and must admit it's the best car I've owned! If you must get a first gen, go for a 2015 Volt or a 2019 if you want A a second gen. Can't go wrong
@@mike_t_007 I still get 80km+ range out of a single charge from my Euro-Spec MY14 Volt. Not everytime but often enough if I pay attention to my driving style. Bullet proof car.
I have a 2017 Volt; still under warranty. Absolutely love it, most driving is local so very rarely need gas. I haven’t seen where a Volt owner keep it after warranty expired then battery totally depleted. Anyone keep theirs and get a replacement battery?? I hear they’re around $3,400 to $34,000 and $500 to install! I’m in California where gas is outrageous so love the Volt for that alone.
My battery died on me (2013 with 128k miles). Local Chevy dealer quoted me $10k plus labor cost in January. I put it off. Now the quote is coming in at $20k. Runningbon gas for now. I love this car but can't justify that type of cost. Will keep driving on gas for now. Researching used batteries and newer model Volts.
Most dealers did not understand how to diagnose battery issues and batteries that just needed a sensor were deemed beyond repair. In truth, very few batteries actually had catastrophic failure but that is the challenge: finding competent repair facilities for a very low volume car. My Volt has survived 11 Canadian winters and still is capable of delivering the same range as new. I frequently see over 80 kms of range (50 miles) in the summer. Charges overnight on 110V - the only failures I have seen are the EVSE units. The rest of the Voltec system is remarkably durable.
the second gen is a lot better, but they are all better than a Prius. In fact, the 2023 Prius prime, which Toyota is marketing as some kind of revolutionary change, Immediately reminded me of the second generation Volt, similar electric range, similar dimensions, similar power output. GM did a horrible job of marketing. The volt was so far ahead of it's time. These should have outsold the Prius by a mile
I wanna tell you that the center compartment above the infotainment system has the ignition slot under the rubber cover for when you lose the fob/run out of battery and have your regular key on you. Edit: I'm 2013 chevy volt owner but should be in the same place as yours.
Yes, almost to pitch black. Or blinding bright, as you decide. 🤣 When you turn the nob, all lights together go dimmer, both displays, and all the knobs on the touch panel.
I remember test driving one of these. What I most recall, beyond the car itself, was that the dealer assumed that if you're looking to buy a Chevrolet, that you automatically like country music, and had it blaring. So waiting in the car for the salesman to get the plates, I made sure Seabound's Double-Crosser album was playing loudly enough to drown it out. Not that I disliked the music. I disliked the presumption. Watching this had me looking at ELR again, because the coupe body removes the presumption that anyone would be comfortable in back seat, especially sitting behind me. I usually need about all the legroom I can get. Come forward...
The price of these new was no bargain, but used it's a good deal. I've got two of them. I've found them very dependable. I liked the first gen styling, it's unique but not weird. My wife's 2013 is still a keeper. I just traded my 2013 for a 2019 LT. It's styling is OK, but a bit more vanilla. We don't gas them up much.. We've sometimes gone 6 months without tanking up. I'm an electrician so I put in level two chargers at home. I love the torque off the line and it's easy to spin the tires if not careful. Loaded up, these weigh two tons, so it's good on snow too.
I still have my 2013 and still love it. Question, how can the portable cord charge at 220? I always thought it took a special plug. I would love to get one.
Not really sure how a Prius exterior styling makes you look pretentious? It's about the most boring styled car there is. And it's the shape that it is because aerodynamics demand that it be that way. The volt was a great car, too bad the back seat is basically useless. Otherwise I probably would have bought one a long time ago. I drive a Toyota Prius because, I drive for a living and I need a back seat and storage. 2008 390,000 mi still gives me 45 to 48 miles per gallon. Still rolling on all its original suspension bushings, steering parts, and wheel bearings..
AFAIK it only changes the power curve on the pedal, so not more horse power, but a more "nervous" accelerator. More precise to drive, and more fun. Together with the L recuperation setting, an absolute dream to go with "one pedal driving".
2013 Volt here. What really pisses me off is the coolant reservoir sensor issues. Chevy recalled for software update but that's total BS. All they did was to reset the computer to erase the sensor trigger and the same thing comes back a year later. I took it to the dealer and they recommended another software reprogram. I immediately knew they were going to erase/reset the computer so it'll go another year and not fixing the underlying issue, bad sensor. I bought the sensor bypass and no issue with engine light popping up. Dealer/Chevy needs to address this as spending $300 every year just to reprogram the software to erase the sensor fault is a total scam!
Im having a difficult time deciding if I should turn my volt lease in. I love the car and dont want to drop 50k on a Tesla. I think I’m going to buy it out.
I bought a 2013 Volt in October 2022 to commute 22 miles to work, I am able to plug in and recharge once there so I have yet to use any gas. Today 1/3/23 the computer forced the engine to start to perform "engine maintenance". I am guessing it's because I haven't had a need for the engine to kick on. My question is, What is the best gas to put in this car seeing as I probably won't be using much gasoline? I want the gas to stay as fresh as possible, also, should I fill the tank or just add 3 or 4 gallons?
Don´t care about that too much, I use unleaded 95, and during the 10 years, I have my Ampera / european brother of the Volt / I often have the same fuel more or less one year in my tank and refuel it sometimes with almost one year old gas from some canisters, which I have in my garage. No problems at all so far. After around 10-11 months, the car tells you to burn the old fuel in the tank, and refill it. Sometimes, I just filled in some old gas from the canister 😁
Hey Bill I’m From Cleveland!! Thanks for the shoutout, Cleveland Rocks!! My uncle was a fire lieutenant - they send every fireman and EMT to training on how to handle electrics and hybrids in accidents. There’s emergency voltage breakers they know how and where to turn them off quickly.
I love hybrids. Toyota has some great hybrids, they're f-ing fast man. Also, remember to change oil every year, no matter mileage or sort of car. It's basics, I think....
@@MauriceNL1 Imo the prius is below average accelerating speed for a modern car the older Highlander Hybrid was pretty damn fast the ford C max hybrid has got decent acceleration and the volt and bolt by chevy also has decent acceleration
When I lived in Clearwater I couldn't wait for winter when it got cooler, we've had a nice cold front in West Texas then Mon through Wed next week be even colder which I love. I wasn't a fan of this car but thank you for sharing though.
Oh Lord, dont say that! My volt smoke a cruze on all fronts (ride quality, safety, comfort, etc) I know this because I had a brand new cruze rental for 3 weeks (2018 cruze vs my 2013 volt) and it felt like a tin can with a wind up motor!...and the cruze transmission is absolute garbage. Refused to stay in one gear ever.
LOL, so spot on, and an interesting demonstration. Prius cars are irritating, as are Toyotas generally, and I hear what you are saying about giving it a chance as a GM guy.
Absolute bulletproof car. Leased a 2012. Liked it so much, I turned that one in and purchased a 2012 lease return in 2015 with 27K mi (heavily discounted as that model year was inexplicably depreciated). Has 84K now and it has never seen the dealer for a repair. Changed the oil a couple of times, new set of tires, and only recently changed the original 12V battery. Battery range is near original. Best & most reliable car I have owned in over 40 yrs of car ownership. Rides like glass. Cost of ownership is nuts low. Not perfect, but damn close. Best kept secret in an overpriced 2021-22 car market.
People here are starting to find this out. (in europe) the Opel Ampera. I got one cheap, and now i can sell it for even more. Nowadays get around 70km in summer, and 50+ in winter out of the battery. Just as advertised. Car is from 2013, no degradation what so ever.... charge at work drive home and drive to work and charge it again. The car has some drawbacks yes. A lot of things are weird about it. But yeah, it's a weird car. But it's comfortable quiet, and great audio system. (Sadly no Bluetooth high definition connection.) It's also starting to look technically old. But overall it's a great second hand car. The engine gets very little stress, and therefore probably can do a lot of kilometers.
How much did the battery cost when you replaced it?
@@ItsMe-ic7on I replaced the 12V starting battery, not the drive battery. The 12V, $130 or so. The drive battery? Not there yet and don’t want to find out.
@@robhdez5048 do some checking around I have seen on other videos where people have checked for like say the Prius and they got one heck of a reduction in price for from reputable places
@@robhdez5048 but 130 bucks is a lot of money for starting battery wow. Color me cheap I don't know
Bill the crabby sales genius. The Legend. You can hear every cigarette he ever smoked. And whiskey shot for breakfast
That's what we like about him.
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiighhhhhh
It's a great car. I'm sad that Chevy discontinued the Volt.
Well they replaced it with the Bolt. Which is smaller and will probably get discontinued as well.
@@faznout the Bolt is all electric and not a hybrid.
@@TheHomeExpert5 - Yes all true, but GM itself said that it was the replacement for the Volt.
I have a '13 Volt and love it. Best car I've ever had, but I would never buy one new now if they were available. The Volt was built as a compromise to deal with lacking EV infrastructure and expensive batteries. It is now cheaper and arguably better to build an EV. I'd still recommend a Volt as a used car, but if I was buying new, there is no doubt it would be an EV.
I have a 2020 Bolt and I can go several days without needing to plug it in. Unless you're doing cross country trips that you'd need to make more than 1-2 dc quick charge stops, a full 200-240 mile capacity every time you leave the garage is pretty great.
Always thought GM made a bad decision by discontinuing the Volt, offers the best of both worlds by charging or filling up
I got a 2012 a couple years ago for $9,400 (they're even cheaper now). It's the best car I've ever owned
How is the efficiency? Is it realiable? Looks nice!
@@eouchi2455 nothing has broken on it, these cars were way over built. I put stickier tires on it so I get about 30 miles of range in the summer, about 20 in the winter. I get 35mpg once the gas engine kicks on
@@tjwatson0403 35 mpg is very low nowadays
@@mohammedkhan5344 the gas engine is only as a backup. I've filled up the tank twice this entire year
@@tjwatson0403 I'm a minicab driver, I normally do up to 200 miles a day, including 60 miles on the motorway
*YOUR THE ONLY CAR GUY I CAN LISTEN TO ALL THE WAY THROUGH WITHOUT EVEN SKIPPING THE VIDEO !! I LOVE IT MAN !! IT'S THE GOOD OL STORY OF IT ALL FOR ME 😁😁*
*WATCH OUT FOR THEM BIRDS 👍🏿😉*
These blow the Prius out of the water styling wise.
And driving wise...
It definitely does, problem is the volt has basically no backseat room and not very good cargo room either. So from a practical standpoint it's a lot worse than a Prius.
I would have bought one a long time ago instead of my Prius if it had a decent backseat. But you cannot put three in the back seat in the older versions and in the newer versions it actually has a seat belt but it's still essentially a useless middle seat.
I think the mistake was building the volt on the Chevy Cruze platform, they should have picked a slightly larger car to allow more practical interior space.
But if I could use a car where I didn't need the back seat? I would definitely buy one of these. They're apparently super reliable I've seen a couple UA-camrs with over 500,000 mi on one.
The Toyota Prius is certainly boring, but it's more comfortable probably more reliable and vastly more practical. I've got a 2008 with 390,000 on it.
It's a tool for a job, that's it. I'm not a tree hugger in the least. But it's the most practical vehicle with the highest efficiency if you drive for a living.
Just bought one in 2023, used 2012 model with 19k original miles for $14,200 before taxes, fees, etc. Throw in the $4000 federal tax credit and these are pretty fkin stellar daily drivers for the price.
I bought my 2012 candy apple red Premium Volt in 2018. She had around 63k miles on her and was in near-mint condition. She's the best car that I have ever owned... and only $9k for a 6-year-old $45k car. I've used around 100 gallons of gas in 5 years of driving her over 20k miles.
I loved your non-technical review... a person who just appreciates the car. You should start a "Comedy Car Review" channel where you do just what you did! You're hilarious!!!
I'm a retired electrical engineer after 40 years, with 4 engineering degrees, 3 from Dartmouth, and 17 US patents (in cellular and wireless).
I love my 2012 Volt for its incredibly complex engineering, its advanced passenger controls, its great MPG equivalent, and it being ALL electric for typically 98% of my driving... yet, I could drive across the US and back without worrying about where to plug her in, if ever.
I hope your battery lasts a few more years. I bought my second used Gen 1 volt a year ago for $6k. The thing that makes it great is that this car got a fresh battery in 2022.
I own a 2013, got it at 55K miles and have put about 10K more on it. Absolutely love it as my daily driver. Looks and drives great, gives me power when I need it. I have a charger at home and work. They upgraded these with better electric range and regular gasoline in 2016. Very well built car by GM. Yes the buttons could be more ergonomic but they grow on you, you only ever use 2-3 anyway. It's the size of a Civic but the weight of a full size Audi, very maneuverable and fun to drive.
Yep! My 2012 Volt is the best car that I have ever owned... and I'm a retired EE with multiple degrees, many patents, and 40 years of experience.
Finally a car guy who loves both classics and wants to review newer cars without being a pretentious reviewer.
"Im not getting into the hyper kilowatt shit" You earned a chuckle and a sub! Look forward for more!
Greetings from Hendry County FL!!
Bill, you're allll-right man. I really enjoy your reviews and anecdotes, especially the historical context you provide. Stay cool and stay safe.
Bill, you're the best. Ever. Thank you for doing such a wide variety of cars. It's the best channel in UA-cam history.
I've had my 2015 Volt for a little over four years. Best daily driver decision I've ever made. Love it. It handles like a go cart. Lots of fun to drive. $1.50 to charge it and go for 36 miles. On gasoline only it gets about 34 on the highway.
I've had my 2012 Volt for 5 years... best car that I have ever owned. I get 40 miles on a $1.20 charge and 40 MPG on gas. Plus, it's great technically and instant torque on acceleration!
Got a 2017, used 2 years ago at 17k. The 2nd gen volt is an awesome car and much better then the 1st gen. Gets 60 to 65 miles range, 65 if you don't use AC. Dash is simplified without all the buttons too 👍
How often do you fill up?
We own one and love it, our last road trip was 3477.4 miles to New York and back to Texas seeing 10 states with now issue.
This might be the best car review video I’ve ever seen! Bravo.
I myself driving the Opel Ampera / european "brother" of the Volt since 2013, and I love it do death. Your review gave a few laughs, thank you for that! But beside of that - absolutely on point!
love your personality, really helping me out with my used car research! stuck between this and a 2017 cruze, but im a daily commuter for my work and honestly i'd be saving so much with this volt, might have to go with this, just want a nice car i can be proud of while saving a stack
I have a Volt and love it. Best decision you'll make especially if you find one in mint condition preferably one owner who did all the maintenance and battery recall for you. One month in and loving mine especially with these crazy high gas prices 😊
What a nice way to wrap up the week, thanks Bill. It's 77 here in Southern Ontario but not humid!
Damn. 77 and not humid. That sounds fantastic.
Beautiful 80 degree day across Lake Ontario in Rochester
Horrible technology. Not for me. Give me a simple economy car any day. Or a big block 67 Corvette for fun.
I have read many comments, all in English. I'm going to make my modest aside, because I own a 2012 Chevy Volt. For more than two years, even before I bought it, I read documents and watched dozens of videos before I bought it. But since I'm still in love with him, I still delight in watching these videos and reading all his comments. I think this car in general, you either love it or hate it. Most of the cars are the same as the others and therefore are ignored. This one is different and that is why I have said the above. But if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that most of us love him.
He leído muchos comentarios, todos en Inglés. Voy a hacer mi modesto aparte, porque soy dueño de un 2012 Chevy Volt. Desde hace más de dos años, incluso antes de comprarlo, leí documentos y vi decenas de videos antes de comprarlo. Pero como sigo enamorado de el, aun me deleito en ver estos videos y leer todos sus comentarios. Yo creo que este auto por lo general, o lo amas o lo odias. La mayoría de los autos son iguales a los demás y por tanto, se ignoran. Este es diferente y es por eso he digo lo anterior. Pero si de algo estoy seguro es que la mayoría, lo amamos.
Its predecessor, the 1996 GM EV1, was fascinating to me, it just didn't come in time with the lithium batteries. And honor to whom honor deserves! My 2012 still drives 31 or 32 miles on each charge. The only thing I wish from it would be to get more miles in electric mode, but when I think of it as a 10 year old car, I smile and say, "Long live the King" Thanks for the well done video. Thanks also for all the comments that make the next outing that I enjoy once again. Greetings from Tampa, Florida.
Su antecesor, el 1996 GM EV1, para mí, fue fascinante, solo que no llegó a tiempo con las baterías de litio. Y honor a quien honor merece! Mi 2012 sigue conduciendo 31 o 32 millas con cada carga. Lo único que desearía de él sería poder disfrutar más millas en modo eléctrico, pero cuando pienso que es un auto de 10 años viejos, sonrío y digo: "Vida al Rey" Gracias por el video tan bien logrado. Gracias también por todos los comentarios que hacen que la próximo salido que de en el, la disfrute una vez má. Saludos desde Tampa, Florida.
Bill's description of cars has me so entertained I would be almost convinced to buy a pinto from him.
As a Prius owner seeking to upgrade, I'm seriously considering buying this domestic alternative to the Toyota. Thx Rob for your review, but I wasn't expecting to laugh my arce off. Best car review 👌 🤣⚡️🚗
I owned a 2013 Volt for about 18 months and it was a reliable, quality car. However, it had poor resale value. The Volt is not a hybrid. It is an extended range electric vehicle. The theory behind the Volt was that you would use the gas motor when driving efficiently like on a highway and then use the electric motor when driving less efficiently in the city.
Honestly, that's the part about it I like from the perspective of bang for the buck. To pay $45K for one would have sucked, but now that they're pretty cheap they're kind of a deal.
Bill, I think if you test a ‘19 Volt, you’d like the controls & displays much better.
Best car I’ve ever had.
I just got a 2019, and I concur. Quite a bit different than my wife's 2013. Hers is like new, she's only put 40,000 miles on the thing and treats it like a baby.
@@utah133
Absolutely fantastic cars....
2019 here and best car I've owned. Excellent acceleration, under a dollar to fully recharge (I pay 5 cents kWh). I charge at home and work 99% of the time. When I go on longer trips, I HOLD the battery for the small town driving and get around 45-50mpg when on the gas engine. The human interface controls are excellent, the hatchback can hold ridiculous amount (I packed two huge rolls of 300 ft of pex tubing, plus all tools I needed to install it. I can easily pack my ice fishing shack and gear in the back). Great car even for upper midwest winters!
I am more of a classic car owner (Mercedes 124 cab, Porsche 914, and a Figaro in my garage at the moment). I bought a 2013 Volt a few years ago as a quick replacement when my Alfa Giulia got bought back under lemon law. I thought it was a cheap yet interesting car for my daily commute here in MI. I just haven’t seen a reason to trade it. It was cheap to buy, costs almost nothing to operate, and has proven to be a reliable, comfortable and practical car on a few road trips where I average around 36 mpg running just on gas. Even on our potholed roads that look like the surface of the moon it’s remained tight and rattle-free. You review was entertaining and very accurate!
My 2012 Volt now has an average lifetime mpg of over 250. Love it!
Wow!
I have honestly paid zero attention to this car but after your video Bill..,it is kinda cool.
Yes! Great daily driver! Cheap and fun! Gone is the 600 HP V12 AMG car. In with the Volt. And, I am having fun testing my goal of one small gas fill up this month! Cheers!
Love Bill’s “Green” attitude!
We’re being sent down the flusher as a nation on a feel good vibe.
I love this guy, he is great. I could talk with him for a while😂
I love my 2015 Gen 1….130k problem free miles….36 miles on battery charge.
The 1.4 is like the one from the Cruze except it’s not turbocharged
With the gas prices now, this is really good value
Thanks Boss this was a great no BS review. 🤝🍻
I want to say I really enjoyed your review you’re awesome you’re really funny and you kept me very very entertained. Thank you for the information. I’m definitely in the process of buying actually this car 2012 so thank you so much for the review.
So I’ve been driving this exact same year and premium model for about two years, it may look complex when you first get in it but it becomes so easy to use, it’s a very comfortable car, I have almost 150,000 miles and no creeks, it’s very well put together as it should be because it was 43-44,000 new before tax rebate. Of the many cool features for this car I was very shocked and stoked that for 2012 it’s supports Amazon Alexa and Google assistant, I can have Alexa start the car, turn on the heated seats, Lock it, unlock it, Anything you can do with the remote, and also she notifies me if someone is tampering with it, I know a lot of new cars have that but for 2012 it was pretty cool. I don’t recommend this as a used car though because only the dealers can work on it and my car has been an electrical nightmare that the dealer can’t diagnose, get a Prius prime instead
Electrical nightmare?
We need more details about the nightmare.
I love how every random compartment is for a firearm. My kinda car!
They built this car like it was to last forever. Bullet proof. Mine's a 2014 and I still get 80km+ out of a single charge. Not all the time, but often enough.
Mines got 160 thousand km now my father bought it back in 2012 and it is so reliable it is insane and I can't charge it everywhere and I got 6 liters per 100km
wow, that's high. I am at 1.6l/100km and my sis at lower than 0.9 (doesn't indicate less), I guess she's now at 0.6 or less. She really only uses fuel when the FMM/EMM kicks in. Best cars ever.@@fabianboesch96
I have owned a 2012 for many years without any issues other than tires and recently replaced the 12 volt battery. It’s kept a smile on my wife and my wallet
This guy is hilarious, entertaining. Thank you for the video.
I AGREE!!! I'm very technical and I love his non-technical review!!!
😂 Love this guy. Doesn't give a shit about being offensive, good sense of humor, honest review. Hopefully this guy is still around. I'd love to buy this guy a beer just for being blunt!
The car to get is the Cadillac ELR, it's gorgeous inside & out.
Definitely not for the price they wanted
@@GO-wb1gf no, but on the used Market, they are a steal.
hello internet viewers, this fella tells the truth. Ive had a 2014 volt from new. anyone considering buying a used volt...DO IT! terrific solid car. Likely over-built to prove a point. put it in L and sport mode...
If you like the Chevrolet Cruze you’ll love the Volt. It’s the same basic car turned into a PHEV. The only downside is that the seats are a bit uncomfortable if you’re 6 ft. tall like me. I was impressed with how well it drove in 2011 when I worked in sales at a Chevrolet dealership. The technology inside is impressive, especially from Chevrolet.
An oversimplification. Wheels have a different bolt pattern, the wipers pivot from the sides - the platform is the same, but that is really about it. Oh, I guess the Chev emblems may be the same. That you worked in sales at a Chev dealership really says it all.
I've bought euro version opel ampera and put now 5k miles on it. Love it for exactly the reasons mentioned here. I'm a fossil fuel kind of guy and hated electric cars, but this is smooth and I don't care if there is a working charge station where I go or not. Great car and concept, whoever decided to stop producing these at GM is an idiot. They should just slightly increase battery capacity and sell it now, it would do much better than it did in 2012.
The problem was demand. They couldn't get the average consumer to understand why it was different from other hybrids and better than even the latest "Plug in Hybrids" because it could operate like a true electric car.
By far this is best and realest car review ever. Thanks! 👏
I have a 2012 volt with 108K miles. Never any problem. Low maintenance costs. The car keeps track of gas mileage over the lifetime that I’ve had it it says 125 miles per gallon. I’ve saved a lot of money and gas and maintenance and also kept a ton of carbon out of the atmosphere. Yes there are issues with mining certain exotic materials, however those are getting corrected pretty quickly. There are also companies out there that can recycle EV batteries and reclaim 80% of the materials from each battery pack for reuse. The next 3 to 5 years will include the release of many practical, affordable and yes environmentally friendly cars. Anytime you manufacture anything including rifles and pistols there’s an environmental impact.
I love how he keeps it real. Keep it up.
I think the volt was a great idea. Currently needing a second vehicle and seriously thinking about one. It has come down to a TDI, Volt, and Prius so far. The TDI is what I've always wanted but with the current moron in office (they all are, really) and the diesel crises they keep pushing, I am having a hard time justifying that purchase. The Prius is nice but holds high values and most have a stupid amount of miles for the money right now. The Volt appears to be the best most reasonably priced option.
I have a 2011 Volt and must admit it's the best car I've owned! If you must get a first gen, go for a 2015 Volt or a 2019 if you want A
a second gen. Can't go wrong
@@mike_t_007 I still get 80km+ range out of a single charge from my Euro-Spec MY14 Volt. Not everytime but often enough if I pay attention to my driving style. Bullet proof car.
I have a 2017 Volt; still under warranty. Absolutely love it, most driving is local so very rarely need gas. I haven’t seen where a Volt owner keep it after warranty expired then battery totally depleted. Anyone keep theirs and get a replacement battery?? I hear they’re around $3,400 to $34,000 and $500 to install! I’m in California where gas is outrageous so love the Volt for that alone.
My battery died on me (2013 with 128k miles). Local Chevy dealer quoted me $10k plus labor cost in January. I put it off. Now the quote is coming in at $20k. Runningbon gas for now. I love this car but can't justify that type of cost. Will keep driving on gas for now. Researching used batteries and newer model Volts.
Most dealers did not understand how to diagnose battery issues and batteries that just needed a sensor were deemed beyond repair. In truth, very few batteries actually had catastrophic failure but that is the challenge: finding competent repair facilities for a very low volume car. My Volt has survived 11 Canadian winters and still is capable of delivering the same range as new. I frequently see over 80 kms of range (50 miles) in the summer. Charges overnight on 110V - the only failures I have seen are the EVSE units. The rest of the Voltec system is remarkably durable.
the second gen is a lot better, but they are all better than a Prius. In fact, the 2023 Prius prime, which Toyota is marketing as some kind of revolutionary change, Immediately reminded me of the second generation Volt, similar electric range, similar dimensions, similar power output. GM did a horrible job of marketing. The volt was so far ahead of it's time. These should have outsold the Prius by a mile
God bless you Bill,these videos are pure joy ,and ofcourse weekly therapy
"Like some wagon train shit!" Love it man big western fan here. And "I just want to change the radio station...." wow
I wanna tell you that the center compartment above the infotainment system has the ignition slot under the rubber cover for when you lose the fob/run out of battery and have your regular key on you.
Edit: I'm 2013 chevy volt owner but should be in the same place as yours.
Been waiting for your next video Bill, another great one and entertaining.
Absolutely love this dude's review!
6:20 It's an Opel engine. By that time GMC was the owner of the Opel brand in Europe.
Should've titled it: "Where To Store Guns In An Eco-Friendly Vehicle" 😂
The night driving was important to see! Can all those lights be dimmed?
Yes, almost to pitch black. Or blinding bright, as you decide. 🤣 When you turn the nob, all lights together go dimmer, both displays, and all the knobs on the touch panel.
I remember test driving one of these. What I most recall, beyond the car itself, was that the dealer assumed that if you're looking to buy a Chevrolet, that you automatically like country music, and had it blaring. So waiting in the car for the salesman to get the plates, I made sure Seabound's Double-Crosser album was playing loudly enough to drown it out. Not that I disliked the music. I disliked the presumption.
Watching this had me looking at ELR again, because the coupe body removes the presumption that anyone would be comfortable in back seat, especially sitting behind me. I usually need about all the legroom I can get.
Come forward...
The price of these new was no bargain, but used it's a good deal. I've got two of them. I've found them very dependable. I liked the first gen styling, it's unique but not weird. My wife's 2013 is still a keeper. I just traded my 2013 for a 2019 LT. It's styling is OK, but a bit more vanilla. We don't gas them up much.. We've sometimes gone 6 months without tanking up. I'm an electrician so I put in level two chargers at home. I love the torque off the line and it's easy to spin the tires if not careful. Loaded up, these weigh two tons, so it's good on snow too.
Do the 11 12 and 13 yr Volts plug into a regular electrical outlet?
Have been hanging out for my Bill video 🙂
Thanks!
I love seeing the American classics, but I certainly appreciated this video too. Thanks, Bill!
I still have my 2013 and still love it. Question, how can the portable cord charge at 220? I always thought it took a special plug. I would love to get one.
Hope you're still driving it. I have a 2014. Still getting my 80km+ out of a single charge. Best car ever. I bought two of them.
Found a 2012 with 134k miles for $8k. Is that a good deal? What should I check when testing the vehicle?
Not really sure how a Prius exterior styling makes you look pretentious?
It's about the most boring styled car there is.
And it's the shape that it is because aerodynamics demand that it be that way.
The volt was a great car, too bad the back seat is basically useless. Otherwise I probably would have bought one a long time ago.
I drive a Toyota Prius because,
I drive for a living and I need a back seat and storage. 2008 390,000 mi still gives me 45 to 48 miles per gallon.
Still rolling on all its original suspension bushings, steering parts, and wheel bearings..
Lost you for a while Bill.... glad I found you again with the new name!
Sport mode changes the steering? Never heard that before.
AFAIK it only changes the power curve on the pedal, so not more horse power, but a more "nervous" accelerator. More precise to drive, and more fun. Together with the L recuperation setting, an absolute dream to go with "one pedal driving".
2013 Volt here. What really pisses me off is the coolant reservoir sensor issues. Chevy recalled for software update but that's total BS. All they did was to reset the computer to erase the sensor trigger and the same thing comes back a year later. I took it to the dealer and they recommended another software reprogram. I immediately knew they were going to erase/reset the computer so it'll go another year and not fixing the underlying issue, bad sensor. I bought the sensor bypass and no issue with engine light popping up. Dealer/Chevy needs to address this as spending $300 every year just to reprogram the software to erase the sensor fault is a total scam!
Bill your the best.....love the videos keep them coming
Possibly a FIAT motor? Do you do ANY research before you blather on? I have owned my Volt since new (over 10 years now). Glad you liked it.
What would be the price of replacing a battery for a 2011 or 2012 volt, in 2023?
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU! I laugh so hard at all of your videos!!! 😍😂🤣
Im having a difficult time deciding if I should turn my volt lease in. I love the car and dont want to drop 50k on a Tesla. I think I’m going to buy it out.
Greatest car review ever made
Honestly its probably the best car for the money like a classic casio watch you cant beat it for the price
What a freakin fantastic review thank you!
I may buy one and this was funny and very helpful.
I bought a 2013 Volt in October 2022 to commute 22 miles to work, I am able to plug in and recharge once there so I have yet to use any gas. Today 1/3/23 the computer forced the engine to start to perform "engine maintenance". I am guessing it's because I haven't had a need for the engine to kick on.
My question is, What is the best gas to put in this car seeing as I probably won't be using much gasoline? I want the gas to stay as fresh as possible, also, should I fill the tank or just add 3 or 4 gallons?
Don´t care about that too much, I use unleaded 95, and during the 10 years, I have my Ampera / european brother of the Volt / I often have the same fuel more or less one year in my tank and refuel it sometimes with almost one year old gas from some canisters, which I have in my garage. No problems at all so far. After around 10-11 months, the car tells you to burn the old fuel in the tank, and refill it. Sometimes, I just filled in some old gas from the canister 😁
2011-2015 take Premium Gasoline. Give it the best.
Hey Bill I’m From Cleveland!! Thanks for the shoutout, Cleveland Rocks!!
My uncle was a fire lieutenant - they send every fireman and EMT to training on how to handle electrics and hybrids in accidents. There’s emergency voltage breakers they know how and where to turn them off quickly.
Love This!
I love hybrids. Toyota has some great hybrids, they're f-ing fast man.
Also, remember to change oil every year, no matter mileage or sort of car. It's basics, I think....
Wait. Did you call a toyota hybrid fast?
@@MauriceNL1 Imo the prius is below average accelerating speed for a modern car the older Highlander Hybrid was pretty damn fast the ford C max hybrid has got decent acceleration and the volt and bolt by chevy also has decent acceleration
This gotta be the funniest car review I’ve ever seen
Thanks for the laughs....and a decent review as well.
When I lived in Clearwater I couldn't wait for winter when it got cooler, we've had a nice cold front in West Texas then Mon through Wed next week be even colder which I love. I wasn't a fan of this car but thank you for sharing though.
I drive a Prius, and I still love Bill. Maybe I'll trade it in for second hand a Town Car.
Great video, I forgot these existed!
Do trees care about trees? 🤔 Bill is getting existential with this review.
LOL I had no idea how many weapons I could stash in my Volt 😂 And yeah, it's lots of fun to drive
I love your sense of humor. That Canadian joke made me spit out my water Lol
Better looking than any Prius.
You made my Friday Bill
'hand grenade to throw at other motorist'... you know what i like you already, i genuinely feel we could be good friends.
new version has hold, mountain sucks too much gas, hold uses gas and electric, good for highway.
"Wagon train shit" dam I spilled my coffee
Thank you for the comment about still simiregular oil changes on the hybrids
I like the newer Chevy Volts, where it’s essentially a hybrid Cruze
Oh Lord, dont say that! My volt smoke a cruze on all fronts (ride quality, safety, comfort, etc) I know this because I had a brand new cruze rental for 3 weeks (2018 cruze vs my 2013 volt) and it felt like a tin can with a wind up motor!...and the cruze transmission is absolute garbage. Refused to stay in one gear ever.
Two things I need .a weather report,and Canadian comfort.🤣😆
LOL, so spot on, and an interesting demonstration. Prius cars are irritating, as are Toyotas generally, and I hear what you are saying about giving it a chance as a GM guy.
Heater pump has issues. Expect to replace it down the road.