AAA Chooses Chevy Volt as a Top Commuter Car

AAA today announced that the Chevrolet Volt is among the best commuter vehicles in the United States. Experts from the membership-based travel organization evaluate hundreds of vehicles each year based on comfort, performance and fuel efficiency.

 

The Chevy Volt, a four-passenger, plug-in electric vehicle, was praised by AAA for its handling, exceptional quietness, and great acceleration. AAA said the Volt “sidesteps range anxiety with a gasoline engine on board to run a generator.” The organization also pointed to a feature in the Volt that allows a driver to force operation of the gasoline engine, ideal for a commute that starts on a highway, where gasoline power is more efficient, and ends in a city, where battery power is more cost effective.

The one criticism offered by AAA about the the car as a commuter vehicles was a tight rear seat in the four-seat Volt, making it impractical for some carpools.
The Volt was named a top commuter vehicle in the compact vehicle category that also included the Toyota Prius (and Prius V) and the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI. The Volt is the most efficient of the three—but is also the most expensive with consumers paying an average price of $38,871 (2.8 percent less than the MSRP) according to TrueCar, a pricing partner to AAA.

AAA reported that 86% of Americans rely on their vehicle to get to and from work every day. The average commute is 25 minutes each way. "Many Americans are spending several hours every week in their vehicle to get to and from work," said John Nielsen, director of AAA automotive engineering and reepair. "Having a vehicle that is reliable, fuel-efficient and comfortable can really make a difference in your everyday routine."

In addition to the Toyota Prius, which is offered as a plug-in hybrid, AAA named the Ford Fusion a top commuter car in the sedan category. The Ford Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid version of the vehicle, went on sale last month.

Source : PluginCars, by Brad Bernam, March 26, 2013