2011 Chevrolet Volt earns NHTSA 5-star safety rating
03 June 2011
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has earned a 5-star overall vehicle score for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. The Volt is the first electric vehicle to do so; NHTSA has not yet tested the Nissan LEAF.
Safety features on the Volt include:
- GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system;
- Front-, side- , knee- air bags as well as roof-mounted head-curtain air bags;
- Optional rearview camera system featuring a display integrated into the navigation system screen; and
- Five-year subscription to OnStar’s Directions and Connections Plan including Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation.
| Volt 20MPH Side Pole Impact. |
Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for its five-star safety ratings program that provide more comprehensive information about safety performance and crash-avoidance technologies. Changes include a new side pole test simulating a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.
The Volt may have a 5 star crash rating but according to Consumer Reports it has a resale value after 3 years of only $17,000 (ouch!).
Chevrolet Volt resale value after three years? $17,000
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/05/cheverolet-volts-resale-value-after-three-years-17000.html
Posted by: ejj | 03 June 2011 at 11:39 AM
You have to pay to be an early adopter.
Posted by: mahonj | 03 June 2011 at 12:51 PM
There are other cars that lose half their value in 3 years. With the $7500 tax credit, the price is about $34,000 so that is nothing unusual. Besides, they don't KNOW what the resale will be, it has NOT happened yet.
Posted by: SJC | 03 June 2011 at 02:19 PM
In three years, cheaper better more powerful batteries may drop in; gas could be $6+/gal,..
Question: does the Volt track ICE driven miles vs recharged miles
Posted by: kelly | 03 June 2011 at 02:49 PM
If you look at that new EPA sticker, they seem to be assuming half and half, maybe 20 miles on electric and another 20 miles on gasoline per day.
Posted by: SJC | 03 June 2011 at 04:49 PM
One two-year-old Volt has 50,000 miles. The gasoline engine ran for 1,000 of the miles.
One two-year-old Volt has 50,000 miles. The gasoline engine ran for 49,000 of the miles.
Does instrumentation tell them apart and why would I pay identical used car prices?
Posted by: kelly | 05 June 2011 at 05:42 AM
That is up to you, ask GM to put in a data logging feature, for all you know it is already there.
Posted by: SJC | 05 June 2011 at 09:20 AM
SJC, I've driven a Volt, but didn't see a logging feature - which c/should be as necessary and the required odometer.
Posted by: kelly | 05 June 2011 at 02:40 PM
kelly,
the Onstar Mylink app for iPhone/Android etc. allows Volt owners to track and view EV miles. Subtract EV miles from Lifetime miles for CS mode (ICE) mileage.
Consumer Reports is heavily biased against Detroit automobiles according to a detailed U of PA Annenberg School study. They're sadly outdated in the old "perceived expert" category of reviewing. Decision trees today rely on end user reviews, opinion and commentary. Why rely on one opinion when you can get thousands??
Posted by: Reel$$ | 05 June 2011 at 04:05 PM
Reel$$, thx for info. I'd love to buy a Volt at half the price, but think the present ICE warranty should be 100,000 miles, like battery, other GM, Hyundai..
Posted by: kelly | 05 June 2011 at 05:29 PM
With Fed and Cali State rebates the Volt sells for $28,500.00 or a $350/month lease. When gas hits $5 and people stop eating out, seeing flicks, going to ball games - they'll start thinkin' no gas is a good thing.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 05 June 2011 at 10:38 PM
There is lots of information that can be downloaded from the on board computer. It may not be on the dash like an odometer, but that does not mean that they do not collect the data. I suggest you email GM and see if they do that.
Posted by: SJC | 06 June 2011 at 08:30 AM
This is what you expect from a vehicle from a major manufacturer (5-star), and why it takes a few yrs to develop one. GM could have cut some corners to get the new tech out the door but glad to see they stuck with high safety ratings. Now they gotta cut the price tag.
Posted by: danm | 06 June 2011 at 10:38 AM