After a brief hiatus starting in late 2023, the Chevrolet Volt, once a practical wallflower in the EV industry, will return to showrooms in early 2026. Now it’s sleeker, cheekier, and cheaper than ever. Why not? Saving the planet must be affordable — and Looks great on Instagram.
chevrolet volt
$29,000
Cruising range: 255 miles
0-60mph: 7.5 seconds
Cargo space: 16.2 cubic meters. feet
Strong Points: More shaped styling. Faster charging. Wallet-friendly price.
Cons: There are no speed demons. There is no AWD option. Adequate towing capacity.
If the previous Chevrolet Volt was like a trusted friend who never turned around, the new version was a strange awakening. Is it still practical? absolutely. Is it still efficient? surely. But the exterior boasts a sharper, wider stance, with slimmer headlights and punchier details that scream confidence rather than compromise.
Charging speeds, which were previously poor, are now significantly faster, allowing you to travel about 100 miles in just 10 minutes at a fast-charging station. If you need to reach up to 80% battery capacity for a long drive, it takes just 26 minutes, less than half the time of the previous model.
It has a range of about 400 km, so you’ll have no trouble getting from your downtown apartment to a weekend cabin trip or, if you’re feeling confused, to your ex’s new city.
Regenerative braking has also been improved to recover more energy for greater efficiency and seamless one-pedal driving. In fact, when you take your foot off the pedal, you can come to a complete stop without touching the brakes.
As for speed, it now has 210 horsepower, which is perfect for tearing through traffic (it’s faster than the Volt’s nemesis, the Nissan Leaf).
Overall, the ride is poised and confident, smooth over bumps, quiet and surprisingly fun. No, this isn’t a performance diva, but it has an understated swagger.
Everything inside the bolt is adult. It’s cozy, modern and uncluttered, with soft-touch materials and ambient lighting to match the atmosphere. The cabin feels designed for people who appreciate good design and good lighting for selfies.
It also has enough technology to impress your gadget-loving friends without being overwhelming. The huge curved touchscreen runs Google built-ins, so Maps, Assistant, and playlists are always at your fingertips. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still included, and the interface is logical and sleek, with a touch of playfulness.
And the array of safety features is also impressive. Automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitors, 360-degree cameras, parking assistance, it’s all here. But the crown jewel is Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving system that can take over thousands of miles of highway. Forget about route planning and battery life, this high-tech system does it all for you. Includes motorway lane changes on compatible roads.
Headroom and legroom are more than adequate, especially for front seat passengers. However, for serious shopping enthusiasts, the rear luggage capacity is basically average. Fortunately, the Volt’s storage space quickly triples in size when the rear seats are folded down. (City Center, she’s coming!)
If the first Bolts looked like gentle environmental activists handing out reusable straws, this one is their supercharged descendant, still saving the planet, but now slapping jawlines and Spotify playlists. It feels like an EV that makes sustainability something to be celebrated rather than condoned.
For me, I would say the Bolt didn’t just come back, it came out fully charged and ready to shine.
The post Shock to the Senses: The Return of the Chevrolet Volt appeared first on Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News.
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