No other vehicle on the market is like the 2015 Chevy Volt range-extended electric car.
It runs entirely on electricity until its battery is depleted--unlike plug-in hybrids that switch on their engines for maximum power--but eliminates any range anxiety that pure battery-electric cars may produce.
It competes against all of those cars, from the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf battery electrics to plug-in hybrids from Toyota, Ford, and Honda.
The all-electric luxury Tesla offers two models, both with ranges over 200 miles, but starts at twice the price of the Volt.
The Nissan Leaf is the world's best-selling electric car, with more than 125,000 delivered globally, but its range is rated at 84 miles--which won't cover every trip as the Volt can.
The plug-in hybrid version of the Toyota Prius has minimal electric range (11 miles) but offers the familiar Prius virtues and an unbeatable 50-mpg combined fuel economy rating.
Ford's C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid recently saw its electric range and fuel-economy ratings cut to 19 miles and 38 mpg, but it offers five seats and more interior volume in a tall five-door compact hatchback.
Finally, the plug-in hybrid model of the Honda Accord mid-size sedan is a strong performer with 15 miles of electric range--but remains rare and is sold only in a few states.
Get FREE Dealer Quotes
 2015 Chevrolet VoltBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Nissan LeafBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Tesla Model SBrowse Used Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Specs | ||
|
The 2015 Chevrolet Volt remains the only range-extended electric car, and Chevy hasn't done a good job of explaining it, but if you can live with four seats, it's smooth, quiet, comfortable--and one way into the future of cars. |
The 2015 Nissan Leaf is the best-selling electric car in the world, and while it's a little appliance-like, it's a real car that delivers a quiet, smooth ride for only pennies per mile. |
The 2015 Tesla Model S has no direct competition; the electric luxury hatchback is the benchmark among its kind in a market with more than 20 plug-in models. It's likely the most advanced car on the planet. |
| MSRP From | ||
| $34,345 | $29,010 | $69,900 |
| Gas Mileage | ||
| 35 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | ||
| Engine | ||
| Gas/Electric I4 | Electric | Electric |
| EPA Class | ||
| Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Large Cars |
| Style Name | ||
| 5-Door HB | 4-Door HB S | 4-Door Sedan RWD 60 kWh Battery *Ltd Avail* |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Front wheel drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||
| 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||
| 4 | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||
| Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Transmission | ||
| Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||
| 2015 Chevrolet Volt vs. 2015 Nissan Leaf | 2015 Chevrolet Volt vs. 2015 Tesla Model S | |
