The rear view

Chevy says the Volt is designed to be "very aerodynamic," from the closed grill in the front to the shape of the side mirrors. GM representatives have not disclosed the car's mileage, because, in part, that the miles-per-gallon model does not easily translate to an electric car.

The Volt features a less fuel-efficient but speedier "sport" mode, making it quite a bit zippier than the average hybrid or electric car. It does, however, max out at about 100 mph.

Because it's an electric car, the Volt is extremely quiet and raises subsequent safety concerns: pedestrians, particularly the visually impaired, might not be able to hear it coming. As a result, the Volt has a "pedestrian alert" that can be set off by tugging on a control next to the steering wheel.