Decided On Volt Instead?

Chevy vs Honda.....the quality control between the two is enough for me. Im 6'5" so it wouldn't ever be a consideration for me. Also, after my chevy truck a few years ago I will NEVER buy a Chevy or GMC again!!!! However, I know people will say they had a chevy run 1 million miles without as much as an oil change.

 

If you don’t need as much rear seat space and/or trunk space, then the volt.

Aside from the difference in quality too.


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I'm assuming any 2017 Volt is going to purchased on the used market for that price? A brandy new base Clarity is in the same price range with the $7,500 tax credit - it would seem like a no-brainer (but I really like our Clarity and grew up with nothing but problematic Chevys and would be hesitant to own one).

It's early so forgive me if I'm missing something.

geo

 

I’m no help for you... lol


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The Volt is a high quality car, I actually prefer the Volt infotainment software to the Honda. The interior material quality might be a bit better in the Clarity.

Reasons to buy the Clarity are the large size family car, but Volt is probably better commuter car (smaller) and slightly more sporty (it still really isn't sporty though).

Look at features like adaptive cruise, which is standard on the Clarity but optional on the Volt. Keep in mind when looking at Volts and if you want that feature.

Drive both, they are great cars either way. For us the Clarity was the only option due to space. Volt is fine for small families especially with elementary/middle school aged kids. Keep in mind the Volt is still a 4 seater even if the new model has a middle seat.

 

Ditto on all the above, so I don’t need to reiterate all those helpful observations.
I’ve sat in and drove both, so I’ll through this out:

Both are good PHEVs and will get the job done.
However the Volt due to its smaller cramped size will ever and only be a good commuter car while the Clarity can be a commuter car and a very good family car. One car has a single niche use and the other is more suited to multiple roles. So do you want a pen knife with one blade or a more versatile Swiss Army knife? With the Clarity’s roomy comfort, “real” 3 person back seat, and large trunk, you have the option of using it in more situations with the family.

Since you are torn between the two, I would think that there is less of a possibility of buyers remorse if you go for the Clarity rather than the Volt.

Which ever one you choose just be happy with it for what it is and forget about what it doesn’t have.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe the clarity is capable of charging much faster than the volt if that is important to you. My wife sometimes does her 40 mile commute twice in a day, with 2-4 hours at home in between, so the ability to get the car fully charged in a couple hours means staying on mostly EV miles.

 

Better still...

 

If your hauling kids, don't get the Volt.

The onboard charger really sucks in the Volt. It makes public charging useless.

 

Agree with above (I'm about 6'5" so it was Clarity for me for multiple reasons); also, if considering purchase of a new Volt, I have the impression that GM is nearing the 200,000 sales level that will trigger a phase-out of the $7,500 federal tax rebate ceiling.

 

We test drove both and we liked both. The Clarity had a noticeably more luxury car feel to it and not once did I think the Volt could be considered sporty. So other than the Clarity feeling more sophisticated, a few things come to mind:
1-Safety features: This is our first new car and I am impressed with the Honda Suite (autobraking avoided a crash for me and let's just say lane detection warnings happen more than just occasionally for me ;-)). I'm not sure if Volt has comparable safety features but if it doesn't, I'd most definitely rule it right out pronto.
2- Charging time: My coworker has the Volt (and likes it, I'll add) and it takes him 4 hours to fully charge at our work location level 2 charger whereas it takes me only ~2.5 hours to fully charge. I also appreciate this shortened charge time when we go out to dinner and use the town's free level 2 charging- the Clarity is fully charged after dinner. Though I guess if we had the Volt, it'd be a good excuse to mosey over to the bar for a bit while the car finished charging. But then again the cost of those drinks would outweigh the 'free' charge.
3- Dimensions: My coworker's Volt and my Clarity are often parked side by side- the Clarity looks to be quite a bit larger so if you have to maneuver into/out of small parking spaces/garages perhaps the Volt is easier.
4- Style- I think the Volt has a hatchback whereas Clarity has a (pass through ) trunk so if you haul stuff or want to be able to put a small dog in the way back that could make a difference. Room for the pooch was the only benefit for us with the Volt.
5- Long trips- Clarity has only a 7 gallon tank for once you're EV is out; I'm not sure if Volt has larger tank but if you plan longer trips that could be important.
6- Insurance costs- not sure if they vary much or not but if you're weighing the 2 cars, and they're neck in neck then you might as well consider it.
Good luck with your decision!

 

I found the visibility of the Volt unacceptable. Also, its not just more space in the back there is much more shoulder room in the front.

 

Let Alex break it down for you. The link starts the video towards the end where her compares the two, but the posts already made on this thread pretty much cover everything he says:

 

I can't think of many purchases that I have less regrets about than the Clarity. And since it was a very big purchase that is saying something. We drove an assortment of EVs and PHEVs. We liked the Volt but it felt in many ways like a car that should cost at least 5k to 8k less than the Clarity. I think Chevy would have been better off leaving the Volt as a four seater. Pretending that 3 adults would every be happy in the back of that car is disingenuous. The Clarity is the nicest car we have ever owned. If we had chosen the Volt, I don't think I would be saying that. It has very cool tech and we would have been happy with one, but my pre-scandal Jetta TDI wagon (when new) had a nicer feel than the Volt. And now that we hear that Honda may be fixing the HV range estimate ...

 

Right. If you're gonna buy a Volt, do it soon! Before the federal tax credit runs out. Assuming you would be eligible, that is.

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1. Crash test differences?

2. Known model vs. first year run?

3. Reliability ratings?

4. Height of drivers and passengers?

 

Also, before getting the volt, do a car seat test (if you still use them). My wife insisted on me installing a car seat in the volt and the tight squeeze was a deal breaker. The clarity obviously had enough space so didn’t even try the car seat.

 

I think the Volt is a nice looking car. I'd also appreciate the inclusion of more technical controls and readouts. But the smaller size was a big factor for us, especially the particularly small cargo space. So we didn't even go to see one. I know Volt owners have good things to report about reliability but I don't have much confidence in Chevy.

With our history owning Honda cars I have a high degree of confidence in Honda reliability.

We were more interested in the Hyundai Ioniq and drove the hybrid model. But it was so close to the 2015 Prius we owned at the time there was no reason to make the switch. We would have strongly considered a Hyundai PHEV. In our small town there is no Hyundai dealer which was a big concern. The Kia Niro was then the next best thing to the Clarity. But when the Clarity showed up it was just so much better than all the other options we went head-on into the purchase.

 

This is interesting, I bought the Volt a few months ago, I had buyer's remorse and traded in the Volt on a Clarity. I would have sold you my 2018 Volt for $26K. The Volt was smaller than I liked, the safety features were lacking (I got the LT not the Premier). I did not like that anything in the rear compartment was very visible. I've never been fond of GM products, and as it turned out the resale value was quite low. I got $22K trade-in on a car with 3000 miles. I felt cramped in the car, the interior seemed cheap and the upper part of the dash looks weird. The Volt did have a couple of things that were better - I don't care for the shift mechanism of the Clarity, and the Volt had more info on the energy and use of gas and electric. The Volt had more torque also. The display on the Clarity also shows fingerprints more. Overall I think the Clarity has more pluses and the Volt more minuses. While I took a big hit doing this, in the long term I think the Clarity will suit me better. I trust Honda quality more, the ride is quieter and more comfortable, and overall the car seems to be built better. The Volt was more like a Civic than an Accord.