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A New Chevrolet Volt SUV Would Be GM’s Smartest Move.

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GM doesn’t appear to be working on a next-generation Chevrolet Volt. But it should.

News about GM planning to bring new plug-in hybrids to the U.S. has revived hopes of a new Chevrolet Volt. However, developing a new model takes years, and GM’s renewed interest in PHEVs appears to be a fairly recent decision. Still, the company has been selling the Buick Velite 6 PHEV in China since 2020. That model is larger than the old Volt, yet its electric range is rated at only 37 miles. By comparison, the second-generation Chevrolet Volt could easily travel more than 55 miles on electricity alone. (I test drove the good old Volt twice and that’s what I got…)

The illustration above shows what a next-generation Chevrolet Volt EREV or PHEV could look like.

Since the Volt disappeared from the market, SUVs have become even more dominant. If GM were seriously considering reviving the Volt, chances are it might return as a crossover rather than a traditional sedan. However, sedans seem to become a bit more popular lately. So who knows. I personally think a more modern version of the last Volt could still work in today’s market. 

A Volt SUV could easily fit below the Chevrolet Equinox EV in both price and size. With the Equinox EV starting at around $35,000, there would seemingly be room for a more affordable plug-in hybrid alternative. Maybe taking over the place of the current “new” Bolt when production ends next year.

GM killed the Volt at exactly the wrong time. The car kept getting better with each generation, and a third-generation model would likely offer even greater electric range while staying ahead of much of the competition. The latest Prius Prime, for example, delivers up to 44 miles of electric driving. That’s still less than what the Chevrolet Volt was capable of nearly a decade ago.

At least GM corrected one mistake by reversing course on the Chevrolet Bolt and announcing a next generation. I’m not so sure the Volt will get the same second chance.

Buick offers a great EREV powertrain in China on the new Buick L7 sedan. One that can even get a crazy 188 miles of EV only range in the Chinese test cycle. Thanks to its larger 40.2kWh battery. Of course a new Volt would probably get a smaller batter. But still, anything above or even close to a 100 miles EV range would be enough for most people. 

It’s obvious GM has the technology for this. 

Conversation 8 comments

  1. You just know exactly how to piss me off😂 if you’re not talking about electric vehicles you’re talking about dumb ass SUVs. Get with the program sedan are making a comeback. I told everybody for years that the SUV wave and the electric vehicle wave is not going to last long. The jig is up. This was the first post that I was actually on the same page with you. They should break and not only a plug-in hybrid. I honestly think instead of that dumb ass bolt? They should go full on EV with the volt. AS A SEDAN! This would be the perfect competitive to a Tesla model three since people are already familiar with the vehicle. This is my 100% support all EV. The name speaks for itself. And it’s already a well-known name, which by the way, I’ve never heard any complaints about this vehicle.

  2. The new Bolt (as well as the discontined model) are not plug-in hybrids. So why view them as being in the same space as a new Volt?

  4. Sick of hearing about the death of the sedan. Yeah, crossovers are a huge part of the market but they aren’t the ONLY market segment. Honda still sold 150,000 Accords, and Toyota sold 300,000 Camrys last year. Every automaker would kill for selling another 100,000 vehicles each year.

    GM would be right to bring back the Volt. Maybe have it based on a modified version of the Bolt platform to save costs. They already have a million crossovers, so having a sedan for those who simply refuse to join the crossover world is a smart move. The Volt and Bolt have very loyal owners, so giving that established market a new entry makes sense.

  5. @Blackhawk bond 007, lol. I disagree with this guy on 99.9% of his posts as well. We apparently have polar opposite taste in design and general thoughts. I think there was only 1 post that I agreed with, I can’t remember what car it was now. But i still come here for the pictures. It’s an easy site without all the unnecessary links and ads.

  6. I would love to see GM bring the Volt back. The second gen got much smaller and its styling was quickly outdated. I think that’s why it failed. With GMs battery tech, having a modern Malibu sized PHEV or EREV sedan would be a good choice.

    There’s always going to be some people that just repeat whatever they’ve heard because they can’t think for themselves. Such as “sedans are dead”.
    FACT: Sedans sold over 1.5M in the US last year alone, compared to 2.3M pickups, and 8M SUVs. Its not a small number and sedan sales are growing again, particularly from the brands that are actually investing in them instead of letting them get stale or behind on technology. SUVs have compromises in ride, handling and mileage…not to mention price. Those suspensions have to be stiff to keep the vehicle stable when lifted. Frankly, I’m tired of looking at them. Sedans and wagons for me!

  7. In which country would this sell? Most USA drivers who want an EV already have one. Sedans are a small-ish market segment. A PHEV is more expensive to manufacture than an ICE-only vehicle, and more expensive than an EV. GM could not expect to make 100,000 of them per year, after what happened with sales to the 1st generation and 2nd generation Volts. So how could GM make a profit?
    USA customers have trouble understanding the concept of the PHEV and Toyota owns most of the market share. But I love the styling in the Burlap Car image presented, and the impulse to honor the remarkable Volt, whose owners wonder, “Why didn’t this catch on? This car is amazing and still ahead of its time.”

  8. Hybrid numbers are growing fast. And so are the hybrid format options. People are choosing this because cars are getting more expensive and so is gas. Its not hard to understand the WHY. I expect Honda will bring another PHEV (the Clarity was the first and there are a couple in my area) to market within 3-4 years – they already exist in the CRV and Accord in other countries. Toyota will keep pushing them as battery tech improves. It might take GM a bit longer to find their path…but its coming.

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