Six Rules Of The Road You Should Observe (But Probably Won't)
Journalists who cover the auto industry drive a lot of cars. Which means we like to think we know a... Read More
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The screens had Luddites complaining of too much information and geeks pining for more.
clean and punchy sound quality [of the Bose sound system] is competitive even with that of cars costing far more
The Volt's 20-foot power cord is tucked in a cubby under the cargo hold and lifts with a simple strap.
The navigation touch-screen also controls the heating and air conditioning, the...Bose premium stereo, and a variety of settings and programmable charging features.
The $41,000 tab is probably $10K more than the car merits
FEATURES | 6 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
The screens had Luddites complaining of too much information and geeks pining for more.
Motor Trend
clean and punchy sound quality [of the Bose sound system] is competitive even with that of cars costing far more
Car and Driver
The Volt's 20-foot power cord is tucked in a cubby under the cargo hold and lifts with a simple strap.
LA Times
The navigation touch-screen also controls the heating and air conditioning, the...Bose premium stereo, and a variety of settings and programmable charging features.
Cars.com
The $41,000 tab is probably $10K more than the car merits
Motor Trend
Starting at $39,995, the 2012 Chevy Volt doesn't have a lengthy options list. But compared to Chevy's other compact car, the 2012 Cruze sedan, its leading-edge powertrain is joined by quite a few standard features, including some unavailable on the Cruze at any cost.
The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, automatic climate control is standard, along with keyless entry and remote start. For 2012, Chevy added proximity sensing to its key fob, so the car can be set to unlock as the driver approaches.
Unlike the first year's worth of Volts, though, for 2012 Chevrolet charges extra for both the energy-efficient Bose audio system ($495) and the navigation/DVD system (a whopping $1,995). The standard sound system has only AM and FM bands, and a CD player; the Bose system includes AM, FM, and XM satellite radio, MP3 playback, and DVD-ROM capability, along with a standard 60-GB hard drive that includes 30 GB of space to store personal music. Bluetooth connectivity comes with the sound system as well.
Other extra-cost options include polished alloy wheels and a handful of special paint colors, including Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat and White Diamond Tintcoat.
Chevrolet warrants the Volt's lithium-ion battery for eight years or 100,000 miles--perhaps reassuring those owners who choose to buy a Volt rather than lease it for three years. The Volt is covered bumper-to-bumper for three years/36,000 miles, with a limited engine warranty of five years/100,000 miles. Roadside assistance is included for five years or 100,000 miles as well.
Conclusion
While the 2012 Chevrolet Volt comes with several appealing special features, charging extra for a good sound system seems wrong in a $40,000 car.
