Despite its relatively low score of only 67 points, Consumer Reports has now officially collected sufficient data to evaluate the Chevrolet Volt from a reliability perspective. So, how'd the Volt fare?
Data gleaned from the 2011 Annual Auto Survey in the November issue of Consumer Reports shows that the Chevy Volt has Exceptional predicted reliability, based on 116 Volt respondents. The plug-in hybrid proved to be reliable, with few serious problems reported. In order to receive Consumer Reports' Recommended status, a vehicle must do well in the organization's on-road evaluation, have average or above reliability and perform adequately in independent crash tests.
Though it's Recommended by CR, the Volt is not without some flaws. Consumer Reports says the Volt's limited visibility and seating for only four are its main drawbacks.
CR has yet to collect sufficient data to evaluate the overall reliability of the 2011 Nissan Leaf, but its score of 78 – coupled with few documented reports of reliability issues – leads us to believe the Leaf will also earn CR's Recommended tag soon.