Against 36 other Plug-in hybrid cars rated 2017–2019, the Volt beats their 37.8 mpg average by 4.2 mpg, about $102 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2011, the 1.5L 4-cyl Plug-in hybrid (2016–2019), does 42 mpg and the thirstiest, the 1.4L 4-cyl Plug-in hybrid (2011–2015), 37: $124 a year apart.
Every Chevrolet Volt engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl Plug-in hybrid | 43 / 42 | 2016–2019 | $914 | |
| 1.4L 4-cyl Plug-in hybrid | 35 / 40 | 2011–2015 | $1,038 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Corolla gets 39.3 mpg, the Ford Focus 32.5 mpg and the Nissan Versa 34.3 mpg, next to 42 mpg for the 2019 Volt. The Volt is the cheapest of them to run: $268 a year less than the Ford Focus.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2019) | $0.076 |
| Fuel per year | $914 |
| Fuel over five years | $4,570 |
| Against other Plug-in hybrid cars, 2017–2019 | −$102 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,833 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2019 Chevrolet Volt does better in town than out of it: 43 in the city against 42 on the highway, $21 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2019) | 43 mpg | $893 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 42 mpg | $914 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -1 mpg (-2%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the Volt changed over the years
The Volt peaked in 2019 at 42 mpg (43 city, 42 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 37 — 5 mpg apart, or $124 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2016: 37 to 42 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 43 / 42 | 1 | $914 | |
| 2018 | 43 / 42 | 1 | $914 | |
| 2017 | 43 / 42 | 1 | $914 | |
| 2016 | 43 / 42 | 1 | $914 | |
| 2015 | 35 / 40 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2014 | 35 / 40 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2013 | 35 / 40 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2012 | 35 / 40 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2011 | 35 / 40 | 1 | $1,038 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet Volt — 2 engines across 2011–2019. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,833. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2019 Chevrolet Volt get?
42 mpg combined, 43 city and 42 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2011 the Volt has averaged 39.2 mpg.
Is the 2019 Volt more efficient than the 2018?
About the same: 42 against 42 mpg combined.
Which Volt year has the best gas mileage?
The 2019, at 42 mpg combined (43 city, 42 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Volt get better gas mileage than the Toyota Corolla?
Yes: 42 mpg for the 2019 Volt against 39.3 for the 2020 Toyota Corolla, about $63 a year less to run.
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