Since the C1-generation Chevrolet Corvette unleashed a new world of raw American sports car might back in 1953, we have all enjoyed the engaging ride, potent V-engines, and aggressive stylings that come along with each generation. There is no denying that for the last 72 years, the Corvette has evolved into an all-American legend.
- Base Trim Engine
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6.2L V-8 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed auto-shift manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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490 HP @6450 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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465 lb.-ft. @ 5150 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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16/24/19 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Chevrolet
- Model
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Corvette Stingray Coupe
Today, Chevrolet is currently turning out the C8-generation Corvette, the most up-to-date and modern iteration. While it is the pinnacle for some, and there is an awful amount to love about it, we think there are some things that Chevrolet could have improved on with the current Corvette lineup. So, we are going to take a look at everything the C8 Corvette does well and the things that could have been done better.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Chevrolet and other authoritative sources, including JD Power, RepairPal, NHTSA, and Kelley Blue Book.
First, It Is A Raw, All-American Sports Car
If there is one thing that the C8 Corvette has going for it, it is, by definition, one of the rawest, most engaging, fun, and track-worthy American sports cars we can buy today. It is set up to stick to the ground; at base-level, you get a lot of power and racing heritage woven into a car made for everyday driving; it is available in some very impressive trims that give more expensive models a run for their money, and it looks and sounds the part.
The C8 Corvette Engine Options Are Beasts
At the center of what makes the C8 Corvette a weapon is the engine options that are available. Model years for this generation range from 2020 to present, and in that time, Chevy has wedged some very impressive mills under the hood of the base-trim Stingray (introduced in 2020), the hybrid E-Ray (first MY in 2024), the raucous Z06 (first MY in 2023), and the top-trim ZR1 (2025). All engine options are V8s of one description or another, which is a good start in today’s inline-obsessed market, and all boast an output of 490 horsepower or more.
Chevrolet C8 Corvette Performance Specs
|
C8 Corvette Stingray |
C8 Corvette E-Ray |
C8 Corvette Z06 |
C8 Corvette ZR1 |
|
|
Engine |
6.2-Liter LT2 V8 |
6.2-Liter LT2 V8 Hybrid |
5.5-Liter LT6 V8 |
5.5-Liter Twin-Turbocharged LT7 V8 |
|
Transmission |
Eight-Speed Automatic |
Eight-Speed Automatic |
Eight-Speed Automatic |
Eight-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
490 Horsepower – 495 Horsepower (w/ Performance Exhaust) |
655 Horsepower |
670 Horsepower |
1,064 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
465 LB-FT – 470 LB-FT (w/ Performance Exhaust) |
595 LB-FT |
460 LB-FT |
828 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
All-Wheel Drive |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
|
0–60 MPH |
2.9 Seconds |
2.5 Seconds |
2.9 Seconds |
2.3 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
194 MPH |
183 MPH |
195 MPH |
215 MPH |
Under the hood of the C8 Stingray is an LT2 small-block V8 that boasts the traditional OHV (pushrod) layout; it features cast iron cylinders, aluminum cylinder heads, sodium-filled exhaust valves, dry sump lubrication, and direct injection. All of this gives the entry-level a very responsive and old-school ‘V’ feel under foot.
The E-Ray brings the Corvette into the 21st century a little more. It still retains the LT2 V8, but is mated to a 161-horsepower (120 kW) electric motor, which gives it a very impressive boost. Alongside this, you get an estimated all-electric driving range of 3–5 miles in “Stealth Mode”. While that isn’t a lot in terms of saving fuel, the motor does a stellar job where it matters in a Corvette: the performance.
The C8 Corvette Z06 brings more old-school feels in the form of the LT6 “Gemini,” a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter DOHC, flat-plane-crank V8. Boasting forged titanium rods, forged aluminum pistons, and finger-follower valve articulation, it is very responsive when you hit the gas. This beast can rev up to 8,600 rpm and kicks out its full load of horsepower at 8,400 rpm.
At the top sits the ZR1’s LT7 V8. It is derived from the LT6 but has been redesigned so a twin-turbo setup can be mated to it. The C8 ZR1’s BorgWarner 76mm single-scroll twin-turbo setup includes air-to-water intercoolers, a wastegate dump integrated into the exhaust, custom ECUs, and a total boost level of 20 psi. In other words, you get the best engine configuration there is paired with twin-turbos, making it a real supercar killer.
It Is Dialed-In For High-Speed Driving
It isn’t all just about straight-line power and the thunderous noise of a V8, though; the C8 Corvette is very well-equipped to hit the track and the twisties up there with the best. Every C8 model boasts one defining trait that makes it so well-balanced: the mid-engine layout, with the engine planted behind you as the driver.
This shifts the C8 Corvette’s center of gravity toward the core of the car, giving you a planted and agile feel that makes even the entry-level Stingray feel like an exotic. When you pair that with the available Z61 Performance Package, which gives you a sharpened suspension rig, Brembo brakes, and an electronic limited-slip diff, you get a real demon on the road and track. The C8 lineup also comes equipped with Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0, which reads the road below you every millisecond and adapts suspension damping, so you stay pinned down in fast corners and comfortable on the highway.
The C8 E-Ray brings a slightly different setup. Aside from the hybrid mill under the hood, with the electric motor driving the front wheels and the power from the engine being sent to the rear wheels, you get eAWD traction. This not only gives you some intense acceleration guts, but also means you get very impressive traction out of the corners.
How does it all feel from behind the wheel? The way you’d expect it to feel. Launch the E-Ray when everything is cranked up to 11 through your own, personalized Z mode, and it won’t launch to 60 MPH, but rather hop there as an excessive amount of G forces slam you into your seat. The acceleration is visceral. Brutal, even.
– William Clavey’s Top Speed review of the Chevrolet Corvette C8 E-Ray
The C8 Corvette Z06 is tuned with lessons from the C8.R race model into on-road reality. Not only does the flat-plane V8 rev high and spit out some intense numbers, but the Z06 comes equipped with a wider chassis (around 3.6 inches wider than the Stingray’s chassis), which means you benefit from wider tires and a more stable ride at speed. You also get stiffer suspension, huge 14.6-inch front rotor and 15-inch rear rotor brakes, and if you add on the Z07 package, you get a carbon-fiber aero kit, which includes a front splitter, dive planes, and a massive rear wing.
The pinnacle, at the moment, of the C8 Corvette lineup is the scarily powerful ZR1 and ZR1X. Not only is the engine supremely more powerful, but the build comes equipped with a lot of performance goodies that ensure that it’s good for more than just sprinting.
The ZR1 features carbon-fiber side-profile air ducts that feed cooling air to the rear brakes; the coupe variant comes equipped with fresh-air intake ducts in the rear hatch to supply air for the turbo compressor, and if you add the ZTK Performance Package, you get a tall hood Gurney lip, underbody strakes, an even stiffer suspension setup, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. All in all, a beast in terms of modern tech and staying stuck on the road.
The Corvette Is The Definition Of “Bang For Your Buck”
What can be considered one of Chevrolet’s finest achievements in recent years, aside from the obvious, is that they have managed to keep the price of the Chevrolet Corvette down at ‘reasonably’ low starting prices. We see that gingerly, because $70,000 is not a small amount of money, but compared to others, it can be seen as very good value for money.
As a reference point, the 490-horsepower 2026 C8 Stingray has an MSRP of $70,000. This gives it a horsepower-per-dollar ratio of $142.85 per horsepower. In comparison, the 2026 BMW M4 Competition, which admittedly does boast eight more horsepower as standard, will cost at least $85,500 without any added extras. Even the 2026 M4 Coupe, without the Competition package, will cost you $81,300, and for that, you ‘only’ get 473 horsepower.
2026 Chevrolet Corvette Pricing
With prices starting at $70,000, the C8 Corvette can be seen as good bang for your buck, especially because of the performance additions you get alongside the powerful engine as standard, but, like with any model line, the more you want, the more you have to pay.
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: $70,000
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray: $108,600
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06: $120,300
- 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: $183,400
If you go for the base trim with no added extras, there is little in the way of getting anything better for your money. There are, of course, some good alternatives to the C8 Corvette, but still not quite as good. We know you may look at some of these Corvette starting prices and think that’s a heck of a lot of money, but, in comparison to other high-powered supercars and sports cars, the C8 Corvette can be seen as a savvy buy, especially in terms of sprint times.
Exotic models that sit on the same timeline as the C8-generation, like the 2024 Ferrari 812 GTS, had an MSRP of over $400,000 but takes 2.8 seconds to sprint to 60 mph; the 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO originally had a starting price of $223,000 and takes three seconds to dash to 60, and the $115,000 2025 Mercedes-AMG GT43 takes a pedestrian-in-comparison 4.5 seconds to hit 60.
Outside Of Power And Fun, You Get Everyday Ease
We can’t describe the C8 Corvette as the most convenient car ever; it is not like you can get anyone in the back or too much in the 12.6-cubic-foot trunk, but the C8 has been highly rated by owners for comfort and ease of use every day.
According to reviews of the 2025 Corvette on Kelley Blue Book, owners have rated it at a respectable 3.6 out of 5 for comfort, with some owners praising how quiet it is inside, considering the cacophony of noise barked out by the V8s, and how comfortable the seats are.
I just bought this car and drove it 150 miles home, and in that short of a drive, I am very happy with how it handles and how quiet it is inside.
– Owner review of their 2025 Chevrolet Corvette on Kelley Blue Book
While headroom may be a little cramped for some at 37.9 inches, the 42.8 inches of legroom make up for it; you get dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a wireless charging pad in the cabin. Even from the Stingray, the C8 Corvette strikes a good balance of sportiness and comfort.
What The Chevy Corvette C8 Got Wrong
Here is the “but,” though. Not everything about the C8 Corvette is great. There have been more than one complaint from owners about everything from performance, reliability, how it looks, driver engagement, and some additions that many find questionable, considering its racing heritage.
That Rear End…
The first, and probably one of the most heavily debated things about the C8 Corvette, is how it looks. While it does undoubtedly boast an exotic and sporty look, there is a big elephant in the room. It’s rear end. There are plenty of people who appreciate the more curved, softer-looking rear-end, but a lot of people, owners and Chevy fans alike, say that it is too ‘modern Camaro-like’.
The C7 Corvette boasts a boxy design that looks aggressive, but with the release of the C8 Corvette, many feel as if it has lost a bit of its identity, with the rear end becoming chunkier and the lack of ‘muscle-car-esque’ rear taillights compared to previous generations. It has become less streamlined and cutting.
This could be put down to the C8 Corvette being designed with a mid-engine layout, whereas previous generations boasted a front-engine placement, which means a lot of the architecture has been pushed back toward the rear. Or, it could be down to Chevy wanting to bring the Corvette into the modern day. Either way, its rear is often talked about, and not always for the best reasons.
Some Owners Aren’t Happy With Its Reliability
The new Corvette is considered a very dependable sports car, with RepairPal giving it a reliability score of 3 out of 5, and owners of 2025 models giving it an overall score on JD Power of 83 out of 100 and a reliability score of 88 out of 100. However, despite its highly regarded reputation, there have been a fair few common problems that could make it a questionable model to own, which contradicts the given ratings.
2020 models have been complained about numerous times because of fluid leaking from the transmission and transmission pan gaskets. This prompted Chevy to redesign the transmission pan and gaskets to give it a tighter seal for the 2021 MY onward. Lots of owners have complained about jerky gear changes, and another major reliability concern that has been reported by C8 Corvette owners is that some engines have been prone to overheating due to a faulty cooling system and faulty wiring, which then throws up an engine check light.
Outside the more ‘major concerns’ raised by owners, rattling noises from the cabin, delaminating dash detail, debris covering the park sensors that make them go off for no reason, and electrical glitches in the infotainment system have all been mentioned.
There Are Some Recalls For The C8 Corvette
Yes, alongside the customer complaints, there have been two official recalls for the C8 Corvette. One, in June 2024, was due to the seatbelts being inaccessible, meaning that they wouldn’t restrain you or your passenger in a crash. The second, in August 2025, was due to a risk of fire when refueling.
The safety recall was concerned about a fuel leak either near the engine or exhaust. When the engine or exhaust gets hot from driving, and then you stop to refuel, because of the leak, a fire could be started. If you are looking at a C8 Corvette, especially a 2025 model, while these problems should have been sorted before being sold to you, it is always worth asking the dealer you are buying from about these points.
Some Very “Un-Sporty” Additions
You’d expect a sports car of the caliber of the Corvette to be sporty inside and out, right? Well, some owners don’t think so, and we do see their point. The wireless phone charging unit is placed between you and your passenger, and while it’s relatively tucked away behind you, when you are driving at full tilt, your phone can come flying out. It is not the most secure.
Because of the high seating position of the Competition Seats and restricted headroom in the coupe variants, a lot of taller drivers say that visibility is reduced; the shape and design of the steering wheel doesn’t fully allow a 9-to-3 hand position; the overall driving position has been complained about, and the flappy paddles have been complained about because of their design and positioning behind the wheel. While these may seem like trivial complaints, if you have bought a C8 Corvette to drive at full chat, then annoyances like these are no doubt irking.
Not As Engaging As Previous Generations?
Yes, we know, this is down to personal preference, but there is a big feature from the C8 Corvette lineup that could arguably make it a lot less engaging experience than previous generations of the legendary American sports car. That is the option for a manual transmission.
We are seeing it a lot more nowadays, but considering that the Corvette is built to be a purist’s driving dream (despite the option for a turbocharged and hybrid mill), you would have thought that a manual box would at least come as an option. While the featured dual-clutch eight-speed auto box is renowned (when it is working and not leaking) for quick and smooth changes, the lack of a manual option does not really match up to the Corvette’s intentions of being a true track and road hero. Even if Chevy added one as an optional extra, we are sure many hands-on drivers would have paid for it.
Because everything is a lot more precise, a lot of owners have mentioned they miss the more aggressive, rawer feeling of generations like the C7. There are more electric nannies showcased in the C8 Corvette, and while they do a top job at keeping you on the road and pinned in a corner, for some, that feedback from older generations still trumps the new, more tech-focused Corvette.