2021 Chevrolet Corvette

Overview
After years of waiting for the mid-engine Corvette to make its debut, the pressure was on for Chevrolet to deliver a modern-day icon. As the C8-generation car enters its second model year, we are happy to report that its status is preserved—in fact, it's elevated. The Corvette offers impressive performance, a 490-hp V-8 engine, and an affordable base price, which helped it snag a 10Best award and make our Editors' Choice list. Both a coupe and a convertible are offered, and the Corvette's two-seat cabin is spacious and comfortable for full-size adults. Beyond its spectacular performance, Chevy's engineers made the ride supple enough for daily commuting and cross-country road trips, yet with the Z51 package the Vette is track-capable. Cargo space is limited, but golf clubs still fit in the back, and the front trunk (frunk) offers a deep well that'll easily hold a carry-on suitcase.

What's New for 2021?
Chevrolet has added a few standard features for 2021, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new options for the digital gauge display, and a Buckle-to-Drive safety feature that prevents the standard automatic transmission from shifting out of park until the driver has buckled their seat belt. On top of that, any Corvette can now be ordered with the optional magnetorheological dampers as a standalone option; previously, to get them you'd have to purchase expensive Z51 performance package. Cosmetically, a new Full Length Dual Racing Stripe package is available, with stripes in blue, orange, red, or yellow. A new gray-and-yellow interior color scheme has also been added to the options sheet. Pricing of all models increases by $1000 across the board for the 2021 model year.

Pricing and Which One to Buy
1LT Coupe $60,995
2LT Coupe $68,295
1LT Convertible $68,495
3LT Coupe $72,945
2LT Convertible $75,295
3LT Convertible $79,945

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 starts at $68,295, and adds a goodly number of 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 of the Corvette's best performance-oriented gear.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Although the engine is in a new location—now behind the passenger compartment instead of in front of it—it remains a 6.2-liter V-8, albeit one making 490 horsepower and 470 lb-ft 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 either by a push-button gear selector on the center console or by using 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 delivers big thrills on both road and track.

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