In helping to shape the new 2016 Chevrolet Volt, owners of the current-generation model highlighted one desired thing in particular to which Chevy was quick to respond: a fifth seat.
But calling the fifth seat a “seat” is a bit generous, as Mike Anthony Autosports demonstrates in the video below. Foregoing questions of how much comfort, thigh support and room for one’s derrière can be built into a tiny pad resting atop the car’s battery pack tunnel, the 6-foot-1 YouTuber raises the much more pressing question of safety, as occupying the middle-rear seat in the 2016 Chevrolet Volt rather puts his noodle in danger.
At 3 inches above the height of the average American male, the situation of Mike Anthony’s head in the Chevrolet Volt may not be a fair representation of what any given passenger might encounter. Still, it’s worth considering that if the middle-rear seat occupant is tall enough, their head is essentially trapped between a plastic headliner in the front, and the rear hatch glass in the back. That makes for some real potential of head injury in the event of a crash, and it highlights just how much of an afterthought the 2016 Chevrolet Volt’s fifth seat was during the design process.
Granted, the majority of us are safely below 6-foot-1 in stature, and the fifth seat in the Volt is perfectly suitable for a child. We just hope that GM takes the time to place adequate warning stickers wherever necessary, and that consumers pay heed to the possible dangers of loading five full-size adults into the vehicle.
Comments
What a non story. Glad these geniuses found a big story in the back of the volt. captain obvious makes an appearance. Putting a sticker there will make all the difference. Instead of agreeing with a ridulous piece of reporting, try questioning how That is news. Should we also not ride in trunk? On peoples laps? Were consumers under the impression a 7 footer would be fine in the back of the volt. I despise alarmism, and that is all this is. Also, a story on why riding in the back of a pickup truck is a bad idea is needed right away. Maybe a sticker will stop people.
What a load of crap
when’s the last time anybody has seen a six footer sitting in the back center seat of any car,,, ,, give me a break
Back seat room seems to be a common criticism in GM vehicles. GM has emphasized windshield rake and swooping lines at the expense of interior room and especially rear seat headroom.
People are getting taller — 5′ 10″ used to be the 65% percentile but I doubt that it is any more. It’s time to design all seats for real adults. I wouldn’t buy any vehicle where four adults couldn’t sit comfortably in them.
Why handicap a car with marginal rear seat room?
Overrall GM vehicles are built for tall people. Have you seen the Buick commercials? Previous CEO’s have all been tall. So the back seat of a Volt is not made for 7 footers, the front seats on the other hand are super adjustable and I had a 7++ foot man drive my Volt in total comfort. Why didn’t this story at least highlight that also? Yup, I accuse the author of being biased and having an agenda.
The fact is most small cars regardless of brand has head room issues.
The fact is they could make these cars with more head room but then you would be back to issues with styling. Hence the compromise on styling and room.
The fact is generally most folks over 6 foot call shotgun and few people challenge that.
Life is full of compromise and this is one. If you need more rear seat head room choose another car.
Another worthless story.
They should have made it a built in “child’s seat”…..something that would only be suitable up to the age of 5 or 6…..I think much of the complaining from people was more about the claustrophic feeling you get in the volt 1 configuration (not that I’ve experienced it….just looks that way) and the bench does address that…however, your legs are still restricted …so, not much stretching to be done….I have to wonder however, if the car would sell better without a back seat…..I mean the best fuel savings are gonna be for those who commute to work 40 or 50 miles per day….and what does a work commuter need with a back seat?
The Chevrolet Volt is a compact sedan, and many other compacts have less headroom and legroom. If you want a larger sedan for five adults, get the new Malibu.
If I may suggest, those lobbying for a fifth seat are not doing so to haul about five, full-sized adults. In the previous model Volt, even relatively short distances with four adults was a bit cramped. However, two adults and three children, particularly elementary and junior high-age children, is, I think, what most people had in mind. The Volt is great for picking up kids from school and activities as part of a parent’s carpool. Being able to take four kids (three in back, one in front) makes the Volt more practical for this application. No one in their right mind would think the car was designed for five adults. Thus, I think the criticism here is way off base.
wow its like the whole story is a troll. Derrpaaa
He’s sitting in the left-rear seat, NOT the middle seat. (Check the comments on the youtube video page.) So the whole article and all of the ensuing comments are off-base.
Beyond that critical detail, the idea espoused in the comments that someone who’s just a few inches above average height shouldn’t expect to be able to sit in the back seat of a car without hitting their head on the roof just seems mind-numbingly idiotic to me. I go to lunch with co-workers every single work day, and there’s almost always a 6-footer sitting in the backseat.
The real design flaws you should be reporting on in interior design flaws of Chevrolet vehicles should be the reflex hammer points at the dash which hit every fourth entry and the huge blind spot that is the high deck rear end concept.
The Chevy Volt team must have written most of these comments. I am 6’2″. I sat in a 2016 Volt. This car will only seat two adults. The back seat is ridiculously small. I would buy this car in a heart beat if four normal sized American adults could fit comfortably in it. I seriously hope Chevy improves the interior space in this otherwise great car. IMHO the author of this article did a fair review.