2011 Chevrolet Volt wins Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery

As much as we’d like to say that we didn’t see this one coming… well, we did. But, despite the fact that it would seem to be the obvious choice to take home the Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award, the voting crew claims that it “wasn’t a shoo-in.”

In fact, claims Automobile, “the Chevrolet Volt endured more scrutiny and skepticism than any of the nine other semifinalists.” We don’t doubt it, either. There’s no denying that the Volt has and will continue to receive more close scrutiny than just about any other vehicle that will be introduced this year or any other, and the voters are well aware of this fact. In other words, if the Volt wins a bunch of awards and turns into a major flop, the award-givers will have plenty of explaining to do….

Fortunately, it seems that the Chevy Volt is mostly worthy of the admiration it is receiving from the automotive press (the Volt was also named the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year). Automobile Magazine calls the Volt a “game changer,” and, with its innovative powertrain that should allow a large number of owners to drive almost completely without the use of gasoline, it’s hard to argue with that assessment.

Click past the break for a video of Automobile’s Editor-in-Chief, Jean Jennings, explain why the Chevy Volt is a worthy recipient of its Automobile of the Year award. When you’re finished, feel free to click here for a massive 10-page missive on the same topic.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt