Volt a letdown for lead foot

Drivers with a lead foot will feel let down by the Chevy Volt.

I did.

Some might say I’m annoyingly aggressive behind a wheel.

On Queen Street, whenever possible (read: safe), I will try to beat a streetcar through the intersection.

Not in this car.

I couldn’t get a head start against a Chrysler Fifth Avenue when a red light turned green on the Bayview Extension.

It was almost as frustrating to stop as it was to speed up. There was a crunchiness to the braking; like it slowed in phases, not on my foot’s command.

I liked some things about the Volt.

The headroom. I’m 5”10 and didn’t feel a bit cramped. The quiet. If it weren’t for the electronic dash
display, I wouldn’t know the car was on. Actually made me feel a little more Zen than I do in my SUV.

If I wasn’t running late for an appointment, I might have laid back and enjoyed the drive.

— Diana Zlomislic

Comments

[kickincanada]

hmmm...I have a Volt and my experience is quite the opposite. no problems at all driving snappy and with the instant torque it's a very pleasant quick off the line experience. Do you have it in sport mode? If not try that. If you do, well I guess you are more accustomed to Audi S4s or Porsche 911s. The Volt is the best car I ever owned EVER and I've owned everything from a BMW to a Ford Expedition.

[Al Maciulis]

You really need to trying driving the car in "Sport" mode. You'll have no trouble beating anything in city traffic.

[Tom Boles]

Have you tried driving the leaf in "sport" mode yet? Combine that with leaving the shift lever in "L" and I think you'll find the attitude of the car changes and you might find it more enjoyable. You can drive in either or both without restrictions and it's pure fun! I am rarely, if ever dissapointed with the pick-up and off the line performance of the Volt and it's ALWAYS fun!

[Tom Boles]

oops...I meant Volt, not Leaf, in the first sentence...

[Paul]

This is one blog I am definitely going to follow, I'm curious to know how you like the Volt. In what mode do you drive it in? For safely beating the street cars, try putting the Volt in sport mode, it will feel quicker off the line.(use the Drive Mode button under the leaf button)

I also suggest, if you haven't done so already, to try driving the Volt with the ''transmission'' in the L position. The Volt will slow down more aggressively using regenerative brakes, it basically allows you to drive with one foot on the accelerator and slowly easing off the pedal to slow down, just keep an eye on your rear view mirror, I drive my Volt in L all the time.

I agree that the brakes do feel a little odd when slowly slowing down, especially just before a complete stop, you can feel the disk brakes crunch, you'll get use to it once you expect it to happen.

Make sure to take the Volt on an extended range trip, try to find a nice curvy road with 80km/h speed limit, it's a blast to drive!

I'm looking forward to your next post, I'm up in Ottawa and I've had my Volt since December, it's the best car I've ever driven, enjoy!

[volt owner]

try putting it into sport mode. This gives you 30 percent more power.

[Q]

I own a Chevy Volt and it isn't slow from a start. Try putting the drive mode selector to sport and Low on the shifter. This will give you the quick start your looking for and also give maximum regen braking without using the brakes.