It’s futuristic, has sharp-looking materials and is intimate. The chassis is comfortable, and the steering is on the light side. The Volt feels planted - it should with all of the battery technology running down its spine in a T formation. The four-banger is a bit loud, and most maneuvers require aggressive acceleration. I consumed nearly a quarter of a tank of fuel, roughly covering 45 miles as I went to a press event and then the office. Operating with just the engine, this car feels slow, like a heavy Chevy Cruze. The next morning I piloted more expressway traffic, employing the 1.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder. The re-gen brakes felt a bit mushy and spongy to me. The torque helps, but it’s still pedestrian. There’s decent acceleration, yet still below average. Apartment dwellers need to plan head to maximize their Volts, and all EVs. Had I gone straight home (and if I had a plug), I would have made much more efficient use of the car. That range is a bit less than the top-end of what Chevy has promised for the Volt, but in this weather and in Detroit rush hour, my final tally seemed reasonable. I used 10.6 kwh, and the electric charge ran out as I sat in a restaurant parking lot. On the way home I didn’t consume a drop of gas, according to the on-board computer, navigating 25.5 miles of mostly expressway traffic on a chilly evening with temperatures falling into the upper 30s.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: I analyzed the 2013 Chevrolet Volt from both of its sides during my one-night stint.

2013 chevy volt