Review - Chevrolet Corvette C8

While the Corvette’s typical recipe has involved a front-mounted V8 engine throwing all of its power to the rear wheels, the latest generation has seen its engine move from the front to the middle of the chassis, making it the first-ever mid-engined Corvette ever to see the light of day.

This is hugely significant for a company that has been sticking to its original recipe for decades now, so, with all that in mind, just how transformative have these changes been, and do all these modifications mean there’s never been a better time to buy your own slice of American muscle? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $144,990

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Chevrolet Corvette (2LT) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Chevrolet Corvette car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Chevrolet Corvette lineup kicks off from $144,990 for the entry-level Corvette 2LT, while the move to the 2LT Convertible brings the price to $159,990. The range then moves to the 3LT, which is priced at $160,500, with the 3LT Convertible variant priced at $175,500. Finally, the range-topping Corvette Carbon Edition coupe is priced at $189,990. Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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What Features Does the Chevrolet Corvette Have?

The entry-level Chevrolet Corvette 2LT comes riding on a set of 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloys, and receives wheel-mounted paddle shifters, leather upholstery, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, front and rear cameras with parking sensors, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display with a heads-up display, heated GT1 seats, 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and wireless smartphone charging, as well as keyless entry and start, a sports steering wheel and a performance suspension system. 

Moving to the 3LT adds more capacity to the engine, as well as Nappa leather interior upholstery, upgraded infotainment system, alcantara headliner, leather across the dashboard and a special seat of electronically-adjustable sport seats. 

Australian Corvette models also receive Chevrolet’s Z51 Performance Package, which adds a lift system for the front of the car, dual-mode exhaust system, magnetic ride control suspension system, upgraded Brembo brakes, optimised cooling system, rear spoiler with an aerodynamic front splitter, as well as an electronic limited-slip differential and an upgraded 14-speaker BOSE sound system. 

The flagship Corvette Carbon Edition receives carbon elements around the bodywork, special interior finish with a handful of carbon fibre, as well as upgraded wheels and brake calipers, unique build plate and a Chevrolet owner’s pack. 

Range Features: 

• 19-inch front, 20-inch rear alloys 

• Dual-mode performance exhaust system 

• Sports suspension system 

• Magnetic ride control system 

• Electronic limited-slip differential 

• Brembo brakes 

• Heated GT1 seats 

• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display 

• 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation 

• Forward and reverse cameras with parking sensors 

• Wireless smartphone charging 

• Cruise control 

• Wheel-mounted gear levers 

• Dual-zone climate control 

• Sports steering wheel 

• Nappa leather upholstery (3LT) 

• Alcantara headliner (3LT) 

• Carbon fibre interior finishes (Carbon Edition) 

• Carbon fibre body elements (Carbon Edition) 

• Upgraded wheels and brake calipers (Carbon Edition) 

Chevrolet Corvette C8 Colours

Is it Fun to Drive? 

As you can imagine, the recipe of a massive capacity V8 engine paired with a rear-wheel drive platform results in nothing less than a spectacularly fun car to drive on the road. Unlike previous generations of Corvettes, however, the C8 is much more manageable on your commute, and makes for by-far the best daily driving Corvette we’ve laid our hands on. 

The headline stats are nothing less than stellar, with power supplied from a 6.2-litre V8 engine which sends 369kW/637Nm to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This means you can hit 100km/h in three-seconds-flat in the right conditions, accompanied by one of the fiercest engine notes you’ll find in a road-legal car that roars all the way through to the rev-limiter that is made even more impressive by the bi-modal exhaust. The exhaust perfectly sets the tone for the vehicle as a whole when it comes to the Corvette C8 as an everyday driver, which is an area that previous generations failed. The exhaust, like suspension, steering weight, throttle sensitivity and the driving dynamic can be dialed back into the equivalent of a comfort setting, and with this engaged, the Corvette is surprisingly adept when it comes to commuting. 

The magnetic ride control suspension system is able to iron out small bumps and irregularities on the road, where previous generations would have transmitted these disturbances directly into the cockpit. While the dual-clutch transmission can lurch at low speeds, it remains lightning-fast and offers gear shifts around town that you’ll barely notice, adding to its appeal as a daily driver. While visibility might not be the strongest point of the Corvette’s design, squeezing into car parks is made more user-friendly with cameras on the front and rear, while the nose features a lift system that raises the car’s ride height for speed bumps and steep driveways. 

When you leave the city and stretch the Corvette’s legs on the track, the result of Chevrolet’s design is overwhelming at times, and a sign that the company is keen on catching up to supercar rivals like Porsche, McLaren and even Ferrari. Through the bends, the sports suspension offers a biblical amount of grip, with the latest-generation Corvette offering by far the most agile, fun and confidence-inspiring ride, largely thanks to its mid-mounted engine layout and sophisticated underpinnings. 

To sum up, the latest-generation C8 Corvette is so powerful that it’s impossible to tap into its true potential at road-legal speeds, which means you’ll have to invest in some track days to do that engine some justice and stretch out its legs. Thankfully, though, Chevrolet has designed the C8 Corvette to be more user-friendly and approachable as a daily driver, which gives owners far more flexibility than in its predecessors. 

Is the Chevrolet Corvette C8 Practical and Spacious? 

The latest-generation Chevrolet Corvette features a radically redesigned cockpit that positions the driver as the centrepiece of the show. As a result, it’s not the most practical vehicle on the road, but in reality, it was never designed to be. Having said that, though, the cockpit is perfectly comfortable for two people to take a spirited drive on the open road, or for long distance grand tours through the countryside thanks to its adaptive suspension system and luxurious cabin design that plays host to some unique design elements you’re unlikely to have seen before. 

Stepping into the Corvette’s cabin, you’ll notice that the majority of the screens and switchgear are directed solely at the driver. This is no doubt a nod to the Corvette’s aspirations primarily as a driver’s car, with the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system positioned toward the driver, rather than the passenger. One of the most startling design elements is the large central tunnel that separates the driver and passenger that accommodates a number of the climate controls, which swoops its way in front of the passenger. In terms of practicality in the cabin, there’s a set of small door bins either side and centrally-mounted cup holders, as well as a small storage area that doubles as a wireless smartphone charger in the centre console and a folding armrest with some added storage. Further than that, however, the Corvette doesn’t offer a huge amount of practical elements for loose items. 

Being a sports car, the Corvette’s cabin positions you extremely low to the ground in a cocoon-like interior that is surprisingly capable when it comes to accommodating tall drivers and passengers. There’s a heap of adjustment in the driving position and steering wheel, and tall passengers are able to adjust the electronic seats for more legroom if needed. In terms of headroom, tall passengers might feel a little bit cramped in the cockpit, although there’s still a  healthy amount of head room and forward visibility to help give the focused cockpit a sense of space. 

For anyone looking to take their Corvette on long drives, you’ll be glad to know that the re-positioning of the engine from the front to the middle of the car means there is storage available in the front and the rear of the car, giving it two boots. Front storage is extremely limited, but acceptable for a pair of compact bags, while the rear boot adds an additional 357L of storage. For convertible variants, this rear boot can accommodate the lift-out roof piece. 

As a complete package, then, the Corvette is surprisingly practical thanks to its double-boot design, and while the cockpit has been designed with performance, rather than practicality in mind, overall it strikes a healthy balance between sticking to the Corvette’s pedigree while remaining user-friendly for those looking to take their Corvette away for the weekend. 

Is it Safe?

ANCAP is yet to give the Chevrolet Corvette C8 an official safety rating, although we do know that Chevrolet offers the entry-level Corvette C8 2LT with five airbags, side impact protection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, as well as front and rear-mounted cameras.  

Is it Fuel Efficient?

While the Corvette C8 has been designed with clever cylinder deactivation technology that can adjust how much of the engine is working at any given time, it remains an extremely thirsty performance vehicle, even when bumbling around town. On a combined cycle, you’re likely to see figures sit around the 12.0L per 100km mark, while highway driving brings this figure down to around 8L per 100km, and driving around town can make this figure as high as 16L per 100km. On a full tank, the Corvette has a claimed driving range of 564km from its 70L fuel tank. 

Our Verdict: Is the Chevrolet Corvette Worth it?

If you’ve had your eyes on something that can keep up with some of the fastest cars on the planet while undercutting them - pretty significantly - on price, the latest generation Corvette C8 may well be the answer to your prayers. Thanks to significant revisions to the Corvette’s platform, Chevrolet has constructed by far the most agile and entertaining Corvette that we’ve seen from the company, which maintains the hallmarks of a fire-breathing V8 and deafening soundtrack while transforming into a user-friendly and comfortable daily-driver - depending on your mood. 

With this in mind, it’s clear that the latest C8 generation Corvette is an undeniably impressive performance car, made even more appealing by the fact that it can transform its personality when needed to avoid unwanted attention. As a complete package, the Corvette is near faultless, and a refreshing reminder of what automotive enthusiasts absolutely love. If you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. 0-100km/h sprint of 3.0 seconds 

2. Mid-mounted 6.2-litre V8 paired with eight-speed dual-clutch automatic 

3. Three-year/100,000km warranty 

4. No official ANCAP safety rating yet

5. 12,000km/12-month service intervals 

Pros

• Unbelievable straight-line and cornering performance

• Supercar killing speed for significantly less than competitors 

• Heroic soundtrack 

• Stylish interior finishes 

Cons

• Impossible to experience true potential at road-legal speeds 

• Thirsty V8 powertrain 

• No official ANCAP safety rating yet 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Chevrolet Corvette Competition