2021 Chevrolet Corvette
2021 Chevrolet Corvette Review
- Impressive power and acceleration
- High handling limits don't take heroic skill to reach
- Relatively affordable price for what you get
- Cabin design can make the passenger feel isolated
- Poor rear visibility
- Lacks some of the latest advanced driver safety features
- Wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Adaptive suspension now available without the Z51 package
- More paint and graphics options
- Part of the eighth Corvette generation introduced for 2020
Our verdict | |
It's rare to see a car, let alone an institution like the Corvette, so radically transformed. But Chevrolet has taken its performance icon and improved it in nearly every way. It's bonkers fast, it handles beautifully, and it still manages traffic and daily errands. The styling may be controversial, but its price and performance certainly are not. | |
How does the Corvette drive? | |
Even in a class full of impressive performance cars, the Corvette stands out. In Edmunds testing, using launch control rocketed our Z51 test car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds at more than 120 mph. Both times are very quick. Braking performance isn't quite as impressive, but that's largely down to the narrow front tires. We recorded panic stops from 60 mph in 105 feet, which is still a good number, and noted the Corvette's stability and excellent pedal feel. Steering and handling are both much improved over previous Corvettes, and the car's considerable limits can be explored even by drivers with only moderate skill. Our skidpad testing showed the chassis' excellent balance with an eye-opening 1.09g, which is a number you'd expect from much more expensive performance cars. Likewise, the new eight-speed automatic transmission impresses with its smooth and quick shifts. | |
How comfortable is the Corvette? | |
The new Corvette is one of the more comfortable cars in its class. Our test car had the optional MagneRide adaptive suspension. We found that it offers excellent compliance over a variety of road surfaces and smooths out bumps that would likely upset other sports cars. Adding to the comfort is the relative lack of wind and engine noise, though tire noise can be prominent on rough road surfaces. Our drivers generally disliked our test car's optional Competition seats. Most of us started to get uncomfortable after 30 minutes because the seats are too confining. There are two less aggressive seating options available, so keep that in mind when you buy your Corvette. The climate system provides good airflow from its stylish vents. | |
How’s the interior? | |
Maybe just as striking as the exterior design, the Corvette's interior is certainly eye-catching. While it is relatively easy to use, there is quite a bit of controversy around the placement and design of the climate control buttons. They simply aren't arranged intuitively. Passengers might also feel left out since there is little they can interact with. It's a bit more difficult to get into the Corvette than some other higher-riding sports cars, and getting out of it is more difficult still. This predicament is exacerbated in tight parking situations. But buyers will likely figure out a way and won't be too bothered. The compromised rear visibility will take some getting used to as well. Chevy added a camera-based rearview mirror display to help out, but the blind spots created by the rear pillars are still significant. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The Corvette benefits from Chevrolet's newest infotainment system. The graphics are crisp and modern, and the touchscreen's proximity to the driver makes it easy to operate. As small as the interior is, the optional 14-speaker Bose audio system manages to produce a decent soundstage with plenty of power. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard. It lacks adaptive cruise control and emergency braking, but rear cross-traffic assist is a very welcome feature, as are the cameras that help with low-speed maneuvering. An optional nose-lift system can use GPS to remember steep driveways, which is handier than you might imagine. Of course, Chevrolet's Performance Traction Management software is available and excellent. | |
How’s the storage? | |
Mid-engine sports cars aren't known for their practicality. But the Corvette makes pretty good use of its available space. The front trunk can hold a couple of grocery bags, and the rear is big enough for two golf bags. Rear storage all but disappears, however, when you store the Corvette's removable roof panel in the trunk. Similar to other cars in this class, interior storage is limited to a small, shallow center console box and an equally small pair of cupholders. The door pockets are long and lined with felt but can't hold a whole lot. | |
How economical is the Corvette? | |
The Corvette is estimated to return 19 mpg (15 city/27 highway). On our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, our test Corvette returned 20.1 mpg, which is commendable given that some fairly hard driving was done. As with all high-performance cars, single digits are just a good road and a heavy foot away. | |
Is the Corvette a good value? | |
If its performance wasn't the strongest argument for buying the Corvette, perhaps the pricing will be. Starting around $60,000, the Corvette is a relative bargain among performance cars. And when outfitted with all the go-faster options, it's still a reasonable $75,000. Build quality has always been a sore spot with Corvettes, but this generation looks to have changed that. The interior looks and feels premium, and paint and panel gaps are similarly well done. | |
Wildcard | |
It's easy to be impressed by the new Corvette. Its performance rivals that of sports cars costing nearly twice as much, yet the Corvette is still everyday comfortable and practical. But it's the performance that shocks the most. The transformation has been nothing short of jaw-dropping. | |
When Chevrolet introduced an all-new Corvette last year, it did more than just redesign the car. It fundamentally reformulated the recipe in order to take performance to the next level, placing the V8 engine behind the seats and forward of the rear axle, transforming America's sports car into a legit mid-engine exotic that competes with vehicles twice its price.
Features & Specs
| Stingray 2dr Coupe w/3LT 6.2L 8cyl 8AM | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $70,850 |
| MPG | 15 city / 27 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 2 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated manual |
| Horsepower | 490 hp @ 6450 rpm |
| Stingray 2dr Coupe w/2LT 6.2L 8cyl 8AM | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $66,200 |
| MPG | 15 city / 27 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 2 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated manual |
| Horsepower | 490 hp @ 6450 rpm |
| Stingray 2dr Coupe w/1LT 6.2L 8cyl 8AM | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $58,900 |
| MPG | 15 city / 27 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 2 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated manual |
| Horsepower | 490 hp @ 6450 rpm |
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Corvette safety features:
- Side Blind Zone Alert
- Alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot. Helps prevent a collision when changing lanes.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse. Helpful when backing out of parking spaces.
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Displays a live camera video feed in the rearview mirror, replacing the reflected image. Helps mitigate the Corvette's limited rear visibility.
Chevrolet Corvette vs. the competition
Chevrolet Corvette vs. Ford Shelby GT500
With a big V8 engine in front that powers the rear wheels, the Mustang Shelby GT500 is more like Corvettes of old than the latest C8 is. With 760 horsepower on tap, it's devastatingly fast at a drag strip and impressively talented on a road course. Comparatively speaking, the more affordable Corvette is less ferocious and more civilized yet it's no less thrilling to drive.
Chevrolet Corvette vs. Jaguar F-Type
You've heard the phrase "less is more." That's not true of the Jaguar F-Type, which, in spite of a substantial makeover for 2021, can't come close to offering the bang-for-the-buck supplied by the Corvette. For example, you'll spend six figures just to get a V8 engine. But the Jag does offer all-wheel drive and a terrific warranty and maintenance program.
Chevrolet Corvette vs. Porsche 718 Cayman
Both of these sports cars have a mid-engine design, are great fun to drive, and wear competitive price tags. But that's where the similarities end. The bigger Corvette, though transformed into something different than it was, remains comparatively large and in charge, with brash American-style detailing. The smaller 718 Cayman is more of a precision driving instrument of unassailable quality. Either is worthy of consideration.
FAQ
Is the Chevrolet Corvette a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette:
- Wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Adaptive suspension now available without the Z51 package
- More paint and graphics options
- Part of the eighth Corvette generation introduced for 2020
Is the Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette?
The least-expensive 2021 Chevrolet Corvette is the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2dr Coupe w/1LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $58,900.
Other versions include:
- Stingray 2dr Coupe w/3LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM) which starts at $70,850
- Stingray 2dr Coupe w/2LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM) which starts at $66,200
- Stingray 2dr Coupe w/1LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM) which starts at $58,900
What are the different models of Chevrolet Corvette?
More about the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette
2021 Chevrolet Corvette Overview
The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette is offered in the following submodels: Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible. Available styles include Stingray 2dr Convertible w/2LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM), Stingray 2dr Convertible w/3LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM), Stingray 2dr Convertible w/1LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM), Stingray 2dr Coupe w/3LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM), Stingray 2dr Coupe w/2LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM), and Stingray 2dr Coupe w/1LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM).
What do people think of the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette and all its trim types. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2021 Corvette.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2021 Corvette featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2021 Chevrolet Corvette?
Which 2021 Chevrolet Corvettes are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2021 Chevrolet Corvette for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette.
Can't find a new 2021 Chevrolet Corvettes you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Chevrolet Corvette for sale - 1 great deals out of 9 listings starting at $16,422.
Find a new Chevrolet for sale - 3 great deals out of 23 listings starting at $19,062.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Chevrolet lease specials