Consumer Reports is lukewarm on Chevy Volt

GM's much-anticipated electric car gets good marks for being quiet and well-equipped, but it's not much of a money-saver. The Volt can run on electricity alone for between 25 and 50 miles. After the lithium-ion battery runs out, a gasoline engine acts as a backup generator, powering the electric drive and extending the range to a total of about 300 miles. From CR:

At the national average rate of 11 cents per kWh, the Volt would cost about 5.7 cents per mile in electric mode and then 10 cents a mile beyond that (assuming gas is $3 per gallon). By contrast, a Toyota Prius costs 6.8 cents per mile, and a gas-powered Honda Fit subcompact costs about 10 cents a mile in gas. But its price is less than half of what the Volt costs.

One unintended consequence in California: Because of the tiered pricing system for electricity, the more juice you consume, the more it costs. Plus, there are small inconveniences:

Because the battery takes up the center rear-seat area, the car can hold only four people. Also, the rear seats are tight and the sloping roofline can make it easy to bump your head while getting in. Our engineers complained that the air from the heater was tepid, leaving them uncomfortably cold. The electric seat heaters help, but not enough. When the temperature dips below 26 degrees, the engine will turn on even during the electric portion of a trip to produce more heat.