2024 Chevrolet Corvette Assessment, Pricing, and Specs

The Corvette is available as either a coupe or a convertible with a folding hard top. Since the coupe’s roof lifts off for open-top motoring anyway, we’d stick with it. We’d instead spend the money to upgrade to the 2LT version, which adds several features, including a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charging pad, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, a 14-speaker Bose stereo system, blind-spot monitoring, and much more. The Z51 performance package is also a must-have, as it brings all the Corvette’s best performance-oriented gear and makes the Vette track-capable.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Although the engine is behind the passenger compartment instead of in front of it, it remains the familiar 6.2-liter pushrod V-8, making 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. With the dual-mode performance exhaust that is part of the Z51 package, it makes 495 horsepower. The Z51 option also adds an electronic limited-slip rear differential, more aggressive brakes, and summer tires. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic (a Corvette first) is the sole transmission. It is controlled by a push-button gear selector on the center console or two large steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. A manual transmission is not available. In our testing, we recorded a zero-to-60-mph time of 2.8 seconds and the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 122 mph in a car equipped with the Z51 performance package and the optional FE4 magnetorheological dampers. We managed a braking distance of 149 feet from 70 mph and recorded 1.03 g’s on the skid pad. Even in base form, however, the new Corvette is capable of heroic handling and mega performance.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Corvette earns EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. We subjected it to our own 200-mile highway fuel-economy test and recorded 26 mpg, 1 mpg less than expected. The last generation—remember the Corvette with the engine in the front?—managed a 27-mpg result in the same test. For more information about the Corvette’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The mid-engine C8 Corvette remains a pure two-seater, and the futuristic interior comes lined with materials such as leather, real metal trim, and imitation suede; it even has a fancy stitched headliner. Speaking of the roof, it’s removable on the coupe—one person can wrestle it off—just like with previous Corvettes, and it fits inside the trunk just aft of the engine compartment. The rear trunk can also accommodate two golf bags, and the front trunk offers space for luggage or cargo as well. The driver sits behind a squared-off steering wheel and a 12.0-inch reconfigurable gauge display; a large infotainment touchscreen is angled toward the driver for ease of use. The interior design takes the driver-focused concept to the max, bisecting the cockpit with a tall bank of switches for the car’s climate-control system located on top of a wall-like separator between the driver and passenger. Opting for the top 3LT package gets you upgraded materials, such as sewn leather on most of its interior surfaces, plus carbon-fiber trim. The Corvette’s two trunk areas, one in the nose and the other behind the engine, offer a total of 13 cubic feet of storage space. Chevrolet says the Corvette can fit two sets of golf clubs stacked on top of each other in the rear compartment. In our testing, we were able to fit our set of clubs easily, so Chevy’s claim seems valid. When it came time to see if there was room for our carry-on–size suitcases, we were able to fit one in the Corvette’s front trunk and two in the rear compartment.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The new Corvette uses Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 Plus system, which features an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio streaming, a 4G LTE mobile hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The system is easy to use and quick to respond to commands.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Corvette comes with several driver-assistance features as standard, but others, including blind-spot monitoring, cost extra. For more information about the Corvette’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

While its performance is amazing, the Corvette’s warranty coverage is strictly average. At least the first maintenance service is covered at no cost.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit