What exactly do you know about this new car - 2011 Chevrolet Volt? It's a question we get all the time. A confusing array of claims and rumors have been swirling around this car since it debuted as a concept a few years back, so we're not surprised that people aren't clear on what the Volt is all about.

Here's the long and short of it: The Volt is a four-seat, four-door "series plug-in hybrid" hatchback with a lithium-ion battery pack that can power the car's 149-horsepower (111-kilowatt) electric motor by itself for an estimated 40 miles in the city. After that, the gasoline- or E85-powered inline-4 engine is used to supply electricity to the motor for as many as 300 additional miles. All told, the Volt is quite possibly the most fuel-efficient car you will be able to buy.

The Chevrolet Volt is the first vehicle of its kind to be mass produced, known as a series hybrid for its electric-only propulsion that is regenerated through the use of a four-cylinder gas generator.

The Volt comes in a single form, a five-door hatchback, similar in size to the Toyota Prius. More precisely, the Volt measure 177 inches long, making it a little shorter than the current Cobalt.

To help consumers understand the energy costs of complicated vehicles like the Volt as they compare to traditional vehicles, Edmunds has created a Monthly Fuel Cost Calculator, or MFC, which is based on a standard monthly accumulation of 1,250 miles. In the Volt's case, both electricity and gasoline prices must be taken into account, as well as the estimated 40 mpg returned by its gasoline generator when the battery pack is depleted. After all the numbers have been crunched, the Volt ends up with the equivalent of 230 mpg, which translates into an industry-leading $54 MFC. By comparison, the next-best MFC belongs to the Toyota Prius, which comes in at $67.

So the Volt will almost certainly save you some money at the pump. What's not clear is whether those savings are worth what you'll have to pay at the dealership. Even with a $7,500 federal tax credit, a base Volt will still cost $33,500 -- all for a four-seat hatchback that's smaller than a Prius. There's also a strong likelihood that dealers will try to gouge early customers with sky-high markups. Still, there is no denying the Volt's technological promise. Most importantly, it has the ability to keep on going when its battery runs down (say, on a road trip), whereas an all-electric vehicle like Nissan's Leaf does not. If you want an intriguing yet practical taste of a greener automotive future, the 2011 Chevy Volt might be just what the General ordered.

General Motors says that for $41,000 a Chevy Volt will come standard with navigation system, five years of OnStar service, a Bose audio system and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. A fully loaded Volt will run $44,600 and will include the Volt's only options: premium paint, rear park assist, chrome wheels and heated leather seats.

Once Chevrolet turned to General Motors' South Korean subsidiary Daewoo to build the Aveo, drivers started noticing an affordable and greatly improved subcompact over previous small Chevys.

The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo has a more fuel-efficient engine standard on all trim levels, and it's a worthy contender in its class.

For a subcompact, price and fuel economy are important. The Aveo delivers. However, the car still has a way to go to compete with the redesigned Honda Fit, the Toyota Yaris or even the Kia Rio. The Aveo offers decent quality at a base sticker price of $11,965. The Aveo I drove cost $17,200.

I drove the four-door hatchback 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 with 2 LT trim. The 1LT trim level adds air-conditioning and an upgraded six-speaker audio system with CD player. Optional on the 1LT are remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, cruise control and satellite radio. (Power sideview mirrors are not available.) The 2LT comes with the 1LT's optional equipment and adds 15-inch wheels, front foglamps, a trip computer, upgraded cloth upholstery, heated power sideview mirrors and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.