2020 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
2020 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
- Manual transmission no longer available
- Fully redesigned for 2020 with a new mid-engine layout
- 495-horsepower V8 and dual-clutch automatic transmission
- Launches the eighth Corvette generation
For 2020, the Corvette has undergone the most radical redesign in its 67-year history. Believing that they had squeezed every ounce of performance they could from the Corvette's classic front-engine and rear-drive layout, Chevrolet's engineers decided a new mid-engine layout was the way to go for its inherent advantages in weight distribution. Risky? Yes. But the result is hugely impressive.
In terms of performance, the Corvette equals or outshines cars costing twice to three times as much. The new 6.2-liter V8 and dual-clutch automatic transmission are a formidable combo on the track but offer plenty of oomph and smooth operation in nearly any condition. The 2020 Corvette also imparts more information about its handling balance and grip, thereby giving its driver more confidence in taking the car up to its handling limits.
As with past Corvettes, the C8 is practical for both daily driving and long trips. Although the total cargo area isn't as usable as before, it's still large enough to fit a few pieces of luggage. There's still space for the coupe's removable targa roof panel top in the rear, and the lack of an engine up front means there's a small frunk in the nose. The new interior has a sharp, driver-focused design and fine materials throughout. A Corvette convertible is on its way too.
Downsides? Well, your passenger might not like the cabin design as much as you do. The driver focus limits access to most of the car's controls for the passenger. Additionally, the new mid-engine design has made rear visibility worse. Chevrolet has tried to mitigate it with new technology but with only partial success.
Overall, however, these are minor issues. We're hugely impressed with how the new Corvette turned out. It's stupid fast, it looks exotic and it hammers home what the Chevy's sports car has always done: Give you maximum performance at a reasonable price.
Notably, we picked the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette as Edmunds' Top Rated Sports Car of 2020. See all of the Top Rated Vehicles on our Best Cars page.
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 well-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 with easily explorable yet considerable limits. The transformation has been nothing short of shocking. | |
Which Corvette does Edmunds recommend?
Chevrolet Corvette models
The 2020 Corvette Stingray is available in three trims: 1LT, 2LT and 3LT, each one building off the last with features and available options. All are powered by a mid-mounted 6.2-liter non-turbocharged V8 (490 horsepower, 465 lb-ft) that sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, a first for the Corvette.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible pricing
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Safety
Our experts’ favorite Corvette safety features:
- Blind-Spot Zone Alert
- Alerts you of vehicles in your blind spot with a light in the side mirrors. Helps prevent a collision when changing lanes.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- When in reverse, alerts the driver of vehicles or other objects crossing behind the car. Helpful when backing out of parking spaces.
- Rear Vision Camera
- 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
2020 Chevrolet Corvette
2020 Porsche 911
Chevrolet Corvette vs. Porsche 911
The 911 costs more than the Corvette, but the two cars are roughly equal when it comes to performance. Like the Corvette, the 911 is extremely entertaining in any guise. Unlike the Chevrolet, the Porsche will soon be available with a manual transmission. The 992 generation's interior is far better than before with a more functional design and better materials, though cargo space is still short of the Corvette's.
Chevrolet Corvette vs. Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is one of the best-handling cars on the market, and the ZL1's supercharged V8 makes far more power than the non-turbocharged engine in the Corvette. While we dig the Camaro's performance, the interior is cramped and hard to see out of. Some of the controls are ill-placed, and the back seat is better used for storage, a boon given how small the trunk is.
Chevrolet Corvette vs. Ford Shelby GT350
The GT350 has been out for a few years. This, plus the fact that it's still a Mustang, means that it doesn't turn nearly as many heads as the new Corvette. But it's still a hugely entertaining sport coupe thanks to its 526-hp V8, manual transmission and race-tuned suspension. If you're planning on doing a lot of high-performance driving events, this car may be the one to get.
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Edmunds Track Tested: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe
by Kurt Niebuhr , Vehicle Test Editor • November 6th, 2019So what's the big deal about the redesigned 2020 Corvette, a.k.a. "C8"? As you probably know if you got this far, the familiar 6.2-liter V8 engine has migrated to a compartment behind the driver, which means the new C8 is the first mid-engine Corvette in the model's illustrious history. Yes, the pushrod V8 makes more power than ever, and the relocated engine improves traction off the line — but our 2020 Corvette Stingray Z51 test car tipped the scales at 3,644 pounds, a full 200 pounds more than the previous-generation Z51 Coupe. Is the C8 the ultimate performance bargain, or would it leave us wanting more? We couldn't wait to hit the track and find out.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Performance Testing Results
Price as tested: $83,825
Date of test: 10/28/2019
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Odometer: 3,640
Powertrain: 6.2L V8 | 8-Speed Auto-Clutch Manual | RWD
Horsepower: 495 hp @ 6,450 rpm
Torque: 470 lb-ft @ 5,150 rpm
2020 Corvette Acceleration
| Acceleration Test | Result |
|---|---|
| 0-30 mph | 1.5 sec |
| 0-45 mph | 2.3 sec |
| 0-60 mph | 3.4 sec |
| 0-75 mph | 4.8 sec |
| Quarter-mile | 11.5 sec @ 118.7 mph |
| 0-60 mph w/1 ft rollout | 3.2 sec |
"A near-500 horsepower Corvette that's easy to launch — what a time to be alive. Having the engine behind your shoulders does a lot to improve launch traction, but the tires still snap loose when you whack the pedal to the floor. The Key Up run had a fair bit of spin until about 30 mph, but it's nice to see the ESC just stays out of the way. Shifts are quick and effortless — not super-duper crisp like the Germans do it, but they seem just as fast. The motor pulls good and hard up to about 6,500 rpm, where, depending on traction, or the gear, it will shift up and the fun begins again. Even the Z51 specification doesn't sound anywhere near as fast as it goes, but I'm guessing the aftermarket will have something to say about that. Launch control is a simple procedure that involves selecting Track mode, activating Performance Traction Management (two quick pushes on the ESC button), holding down the brake pedal, matting the throttle and letting it go when the revs get to 3,500. It's not a brutal launch like a Tesla or something with, say, 700 horsepower, but it does get your attention. As does the wheelspin and the slight tail-out drift up to about 40 mph. Our surface isn't the grippiest, and that manifested itself through the wheelspin. But this is a real-world surface and these are real-world numbers. Shifts with launch control remain the same — quick and seamless upshifts with none of the overly exaggerated stuff you get with German 'boxes. I prefer how the Vette does it. Our SAE weather correction, and the weather, dealt us another blow by actually adding some time to the run (+0.2 sec) because of the higher-than-usual barometric pressure. But hey, this thing is still a damn sight faster than most anything else in its class."
2020 Corvette Braking
| Braking Test | Result |
|---|---|
| 30-0 mph | 25 ft |
| 60-0 mph | 105 ft |
"These braking tests show the limits of the modest, and a little narrow, 245-section Pilot Sport 4S front tires. The consistency is what we expect from a high-performance sports car, as is the stability we saw with every stop. Pedal feel is pretty good in whatever mode you're in (the C8's brake-pedal feel can be adjusted much like steering weight), but my feet aren't finely tuned enough to tell any real difference between the modes. ABS is pretty well isolated from the pedal, but you still get some buzzing through the sole of your shoe — it's not unwelcome. The 300-treadwear tires do struggle a bit, and you can feel a little sliding right after the pedal strike as well as just before you come to a full stop. A more aggressive tire would easily shave 10 feet off the distance."
2020 Corvette Handling
| Handling Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Skidpad, 200-ft diameter | 1.09 g |
"It's right to expect good numbers from a Corvette, but the ease with which you can get them is likely to be a hallmark of the C8. And keep in mind, these aren't special superhero tires like a Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 or some other nearly treadless wonder rubber. These are Pilot Sport 4S tires, and the fronts are only 245-section. Despite how the car looks, understeer is the dominant handling trait around the skidpad. But to the Vette's credit, the limit is easily predictable, and the understeer is easily reigned in with a slight lift of the throttle. In Tour mode, steering effort is on the light side but remains direct and fast acting. Great forward visibility gets the most out of the responsive steering and lets you make minute corrections down to the last few feet. ESC seems absent, but it is working with almost total transparency, at least during steady-state cornering. Ratcheting things up, Track mode provides a substantial increase in steering effort, sharper throttle response, sharper E-LSD response and very little, if any, ESC correction. The quickest runs involved shutting off ESC and driving the Vette around the 'pad. The rear axle is really working to get you around with near neutrality, but there's always the safety net of a little understeer. This new Vette really talks to you, something no other Vette has really done. I would still like a bit more information on what the front tires are up to, especially in higher-speed corners, but it's very difficult to fault the Vette for much more. I can take or leave the square steering wheel. It's comfortable enough, but tighter corners mean you'll eventually wind up grabbing a corner of the 'wheel.' That's a bit weird. Oh yeah, 1.09g. Pretty amazing stuff."
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Details
Drivetrain
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine Type: Conventional Gasoline
Engine Configuration: V8
Engine Displacement (liters): 6.2
Engine Induction Type: Naturally Aspirated
Indicated Redline: 6,500
Actual Redline (rev limit): 6,750
Fuel Type: 91 octane
Transmission Type: Auto-Clutch Manual
Transmission Speeds: 8
Paddle Shifters: Yes wheel-mounted
Downshift Rev Match/Throttle Blip: Yes
Holds Gears at Rev Limiter: Yes
Curb Weight and Weight Distribution
Curb weight as tested (lbs): 3,644
Weight L/F (lbs): 684
Weight L/R (lbs): 1,115
Weight R/F (lbs): 755
Weight R/R (lbs): 1,090
Weight distribution, front (%): 39.5
Brakes
ABS Type: Full ABS
Brake Rotor Type - Front: 1-Piece Disc
Brake Rotor (other) - Front: Vented
Brake Caliper Type - Front: Fixed
Brake Pistons - Front: 4
Brake Rotor Type - Rear: 1-Piece Disc
Brake Rotor (other) - Rear: Vented
Brake Caliper Type - Rear: Fixed
Brake Pistons - Rear: 4
Parking Brake: Button
Tires
Tire pressure spec - Front: 23 psi
Tire pressure spec - Rear: 24 psi
Tire Make: Michelin
Tire Model: Pilot Sport 4S
Tire Tread: Asymmetrical
Tire Type: Run Flat
Tire Season: Summer
Tire Size (sidewall) - Front: 245/35 ZR19 89Y ZP
Tire Size (sidewall) - Rear: 305/30 ZR20 99Y ZP
Spare Tire Type: None
Tire Treadwear Rating: 300
Tire Temperature Rating: A
Tire Traction Rating: AA
About the Driver
Kurt is involved with performance testing, vehicle evaluation and writing reviews. Fourteen-year-old Kurt would be pretty stoked — current Kurt is pretty stoked, too.
FAQ
Is the Chevrolet Corvette a good car?
What's new in the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette:
- Fully redesigned for 2020 with a new mid-engine layout
- 495-horsepower V8 and dual-clutch automatic transmission
- Launches the eighth Corvette generation
Is the Chevrolet Corvette reliable?
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette?
The least-expensive 2020 Chevrolet Corvette is the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2dr Convertible w/1LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $66,400.
Other versions include:
- Stingray 2dr Convertible w/3LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM) which starts at $77,850
- Stingray 2dr Convertible w/2LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM) which starts at $73,200
- Stingray 2dr Convertible w/1LT (6.2L 8cyl 8AM) which starts at $66,400