DecodedCarsChevrolet Volt
9 model years from 2011 to 2019, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2011–2019
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Latest engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 37–42 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2019)
- Recalls
- 8 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2017 (703)
- Fewest problems
- 2015
- Interest
- 7,907 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2019 Volt in brief
The 2019 Chevrolet Volt is a compact car offered with a 1.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,543 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 42 MPG combined (43 city / 42 highway), 57% better than the 2019 compact car average of 26.8 MPG, for an estimated $1,600 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
The Chevrolet Volt has 9 model years in our data, from 2011 to 2019.
Its most efficient year was 2019 at 42 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 37 to 42 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (639), fuel/propulsion system (491), power train (402).
Buying used? 2015 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2017 is the year to avoid.
2013 has the most recalls (3); all years together count 8 campaigns and 1,803 owner complaints.
How the 2011 Volt compares
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a compact car offered with a 1.4L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,757 lb.
About the Chevrolet Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle car that was manufactured across two generations by General Motors, and also marketed in rebadged variants as the Holden Volt in Australia and New Zealand and the Buick Velite 5 in China, and with a different fascia as the Vauxhall Ampera in the United Kingdom and as the Opel Ampera in the remainder of Europe. Volt production ended in February 2019. While similar in some ways to hybrid vehicles, the Chevy Volt is an electric car with an onboard gasoline generator.
From the Wikipedia article "Chevrolet Volt", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2019 Volt pros & cons
Full 2019 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 42 MPG combined — 57% better than the average 2019 compact car (26.8 MPG).
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2015 Volt
43 owner complaints · 1 recall · 1 crash report
Year to avoid2017 Volt
703 owner complaints · 0 recalls · 9 fire reports · 8 crash reports
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Volt changes by model year
- 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2016
- New body dimensions: 3.1 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 1.5L 4-cyl
- Engine dropped: 1.4L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 37 to 42
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 9 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 42 MPG | 180.3 in | 3,543 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 34 |
| 2018 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 42 MPG | 180.3 in | 3,543 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 226 |
| 2017 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 42 MPG | 180.3 in | 3,543 lb | Not rated | 0 | 703 |
| 2016 | 1.5L 4-cyl | 42 MPG | 180.3 in | 3,543 lb | Not rated | 1 | 170 |
| 2015 | 1.4L 4-cyl | 37 MPG | 177.2 in | 3,781 lb | Not rated | 1 | 43 |
| 2014 | 1.4L 4-cyl | 37 MPG | 177.2 in | 3,781 lb | Not rated | 0 | 89 |
| 2013 | 1.4L 4-cyl | 37 MPG | 177.2 in | 3,781 lb | Not rated | 3 | 282 |
| 2012 | 1.4L 4-cyl | 37 MPG | 177.2 in | 3,757 lb | Not rated | 2 | 215 |
| 2011 | 1.4L 4-cyl | 37 MPG | 177.2 in | 3,757 lb | Not rated | 1 | 41 |
Alternatives to the 2019 Volt
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Corolla | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2019 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2019 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2019 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2019 Mazda 3 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2019 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →