[mrybczyn]

2014.5 volt has an improved battery pack, so you get some of the benefits of the gen2.
I have one, love it for commuting. Quiet, torquey, efficient. The AC doesn't take that much off range, maybe 10 percent. But since you have the gas engine backup, you never need to fret the range, like with pure electric cars.

Btw, the best way to drive a Volt is sport mode, and L on the transmission. This gives you instant torque, and hard regenerative braking as soon as you lift off the throttle. You basically drive it like a golf cart with one foot, hardly ever need to touch the brake pedal.