WASHINGTON — Gas prices might be down across the D.C. region, but it still costs upwards of $50 to fill up an average tank. It’s no wonder, then, that the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid, is the top scoring car in Consumer Reports’ latest owner satisfaction survey.
Ninety-three percent of respondents said they would buy the car again if given a chance. That topped the No. 2 and No. 3 slots — the Dodge Challenger and Porsche 911 — with a satisfaction rate of 91 percent each.
Consumer Reports warns that there are two caveats in the Volt’s top place standing.
First, the hybrid had only been on the market for a few months when the survey was conducted, so it still remains to be seen whether the new model will stand the test of time.
Second, the survey came out before the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it would conduct a safety investigation into plug-in cars for possible spontaneous combustion following accidents.
“These models reflect a larger trend we’ve seen in recent years: sporty cars with alternative drivetrains tend to generate more enthusiasm and loyalty than most other types of vehicles,” Rik Paul, Consumer Reports automotive editor, said in a news release.
The lowest ranking cars were the Chevy Colorado, Toyota Matrix and the Chevy Aveo.