Beating out the Nissan Leaf and the Hyundai Sonata, General Motor's Chevrolet Volt has been named the 2011 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal, Car of the Year by MOTOR TREND magazine, and Automobile of the Year by Automobile magazine.

Most recently, at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the Volt was named 2011 North American Car of the Year. That's a lot of designations for such a humble car and begs the question:

What Makes GM's Chevrolet Volt a Winner?

• It's powered by electricity without being tethered to electrical outlets.
  You've likely heard the tagline, "It's more car than electric." But, what does it mean exactly? Simply stated the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is powered by electricity without being chained to electrical outlets. While it drives gas- and emissions-free for most commutes, it is engineered with a gas-powered generator, providing up to 374 miles of total range for longer trips.
• A superior battery.
  The 2011 Chevrolet Volt 16kWH lithium-ion battery pack has gone through numerous environmental specific tests. The results were so impressive that it is backed by a 100,000 mile/eight-year warranty. The battery can be fully charged in approximately 10 hours and can be set to charge during off-peak hours for greater savings.
• A cutting-edge dashboard with plenty of infotainment.
  The 2011 Volt's dashboard showcases two LCD screens that display speed, battery power, range to recharge or re-fill, and an efficiency gauge that offers real-time feedback. Additionally, there is a seven-inch diagonal high-resolution screen on the center console with touch sensitive control. Features include: real-time information on energy usage and power flow, energy saving tips, the ability to program a charging schedule based on electricity rate plans, standard navigation with voice recognition, climate control system, and infotainment (i.e., XM NavTraffic, Bose Energy Efficient Sound System, 30GB Audio Hard Drive, Bluetooth, USB Port, and Remote Key Starter).
• New Chevrolet Volt Mobile App.
  Starting this fall, Volt owners can gain total control over their vehicles anywhere they get a signal on their smart phone. The app allows drivers to effectively check the battery charge level, available range, tire pressure, remote lock/unlock, set up charge Alerts, and even start the car remotely to heat or cool it to optimal temperature.

Those are just some of the features and benefits that make the 2011 Chevrolet Volt a winner. There's also the at-home charging station and plethora of standard safety features, such as eight airbags and a five-year subscription to OnStar?'s Directions and Connections? (includes Automatic Car Crash Response).