by "Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
Published 02/23/2017 at 22:20
by "Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
Published 02/23/2017 at 22:20
Tags: Chevrolet
; Volt
; Malibu
; Hybrid
STARS: 2
Had to leave work early for a doctor’s appointment but it left me free for the afternoon. I decided to test drive the Malibu Hybrid and the Volt to see if I should consider them for my next car.
The Malibu is fantastic, feels like an upper trim level sedan and reminded me a lot of the Mazda 6. Not quite as fun to drive but quieter and calmer and still pulls nicely at highway speed. I liked it so much I almost didn’t drive the Volt.
Boy, I’m glad I did though! I’ve never driven anything like it before. It’s super quiet and comfortable but it pulls hard, nothing quite like that instant torque. The brake pedal is way too stiff, but that’s fine because braking can be done with the left steering paddle.
The Volt behaves like a normal car, cornering well and keeping its ride composed. However, it still feels special. The effortless, silent power is addicting and the way it responds makes it feel like a partner in crime.
If you haven’t driven one yet, do it.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
02/23/2017 at 22:24, STARS: 1
One just like the one pictured lives down the street from me. It looks nice, but I always think it’s a Civic at first.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
02/23/2017 at 22:26, STARS: 11
Real Oppos. Not actors.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/23/2017 at 22:33, STARS: 2
That ad campaign is the worst, which is a shame because I had a Chevy Malibu and it was the best rental car I’ve had in the US. I actually ended up liking the car, it’s not bad at all.
"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
02/23/2017 at 22:38, STARS: 0
No way I get out of that car and say it was amazing :P
"Deal Killer - Powered by Focus" (dealkiller-ii)
02/23/2017 at 22:38, STARS: 1
If I was in the market for a new car, I would put a Volt at the top of my list. I drive about 18-20K miles a year, with a lot of stop and go, short distance hops. The electric range of over 50 miles would cut my fuel bill in half or more. Plus, it looks good, and fits me quite well.
"Axial" (axial)
02/23/2017 at 22:42, STARS: 4
Stiff pedals is a good thing. Means as they wear they get better.
I find most cars have pedals that are way too soft. Especially modern manuals; pretty much no effort or feedback there, you blindly stab for that on-off point they hid somewhere in the travel. Yuck.
"Tapas" (tapas)
02/23/2017 at 23:07, STARS: 1
So are you gonna lease it?
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
02/23/2017 at 23:37, STARS: 0
I like the extra room of the Malibu because it fits my daughter’s car seat and all her stuff better but the Volt is such a cool car, it’s going to come down to price, option availability and which one the wife prefers :P
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
02/23/2017 at 23:40, STARS: 1
It’s like an Audi/Lexus mullet!
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
02/23/2017 at 23:42, STARS: 0
I don’t mind them but this felt like a breaker switch. No feel or linearity, it doesn’t do anything until you stand on it. The steering wheel regenerate braking switch was way nicer, almost intuitive to use in conjunction with the gas pedal.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
02/23/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 0
It wasn’t the fastest or craziest car I’d ever driven but it was such a different car in its behavior, it really feels like a turning point. It makes me excited for hybrids and new technology because this isn’t a hypothetical thing, this is real cutting edge piece of tech and its not rare or out of reach for most people.
"Tapas" (tapas)
02/24/2017 at 00:08, STARS: 0
That makes sense :)
Have you considered a CPO TDI A7? (I have a personal bias toward A7s)
They are in the mid $40k range.
"RacinBob" (racinbob)
02/24/2017 at 00:17, STARS: 0
I have to disagree. My Honda dealer has a ‘17 Volt and I drove it back to back with a Civic LX. The Volt is neat, don’t get me wrong. But it was the details that kind of turned me off. The display resolution and font was playschool. The turn signal lever felt brittle like I was going to break it. A ‘17 Civic LX was just superior in the details and far less expensive.
What does that have to do with how well it is as a transportation device? Well, if you accept a less than excellent interface and third rate details, get a 5 year old Kia. My belief is if you are buying new, get the best experience you can get. As such, I just didn’t get that vibe with the volt.
Used cars are excellent, only buy new if you want to pay the premium for something special. The Volt is styled well, and it’s battery and motor are excellent. But as far as I am concerned, GM went full metal jacket Cobalt on the interior and it’s premium ain’t worth the price of admission vs the original volt or even a ‘17 LX Civic.
"Axial" (axial)
02/24/2017 at 01:12, STARS: 1
Hmm. Does the Volt use fly-by-wire brakes? It may, in fact, actually have been akin to a breaker switch.