The Chevy Corvette is an iconic American sports car that got its start in 1953 as a two-door convertible. It was eventually available in both convertible and hardtop or removable hardtop designs. The Corvette has long been known as America’s sports car and has featured a recognizable sleek design, which was largely built in later years mainly with fiberglass and composite materials. Now in its eighth generation, the Corvette has been redesigned as a mid-engine car after being a front-engine car for the vast majority of its run. However, the previous generations are still very sought-after, especially by purists enamored with the car’s history.
Price and Value
The Corvette offers a lot of sports car for a price tag that still undercuts several luxury sports car models. The C7 Corvette is the generation made between the 2014 and 2019 model years. It also marks the last of the front-engine Vettes for now. If you’re looking for used Corvettes in this generation, you can generally find them in a price range between $38,000 and up to and over $50,000. This represents plenty of value for the previous generation when the new C8 Corvettes start around $60,000.
The five-year cost to own a C7 Corvette has a projected value of $37,190, which includes gas, insurance, and maintenance repairs. This cost is about average for a luxury sports car or performance car.
Size and Seating Capacity
Current and former versions of the Corvette offer only two-door models with no back seat and a small trunk. This means the Corvette can seat up to two adult passengers. A 2018 Corvette has a maximum trunk capacity of 15 cubic feet for the hardtop version and 10 cubic feet for the convertible.
The Corvette has an overall length of 176.9 inches and a body width of 73.9 inches. The body height of 48.8 inches translates to 38 inches of front headroom. The Corvette has a curb weight of 3,298 pounds.
Seats in the Corvette are supportive and roomy. The cabin feels spacious and is well-suited to long cruises. It offers a driver-centric layout with important controls that are easy to reach and use. Leather seats, heated seats, and lumbar support are available seating options depending on the trim. Convertible versions of the Corvette do not lose any interior room when the convertible top is down.
Battery, Range, and Engine Specs
Various engine sizes have been featured on the Corvette over the generations. The C7 generation features a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This engine gets an estimated 26 mpg on the highway partially due to the V-4 mode that saves fuel at cruising speeds. A standard seven-speed manual transmission accompanies this Corvette, but a six-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission is available.
Fuel economy estimates for the C7 are typical for its class. The base Stingray can manage 26 mpg on the highway and 16 or 15 mpg in the city depending on whether it’s a manual or an automatic transmission. The Z06 gets 22 or 23 mpg on the highway and 15 or 13 mpg in the city based on whether it has a manual or an automatic transmission.
The C7 is undeniably fun to drive with responsive handling and powerful braking. The Z06 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than three seconds. If you equip the car with the optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the Corvette’s ride can be modified for various road conditions as well as for additional comfort or a sportier feel.
By the end of the C7 generation, horsepower for the 6.2-liter engine was bumped up to 455 with 460 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission became available in addition to the standard seven-speed manual.
Trims and Features
More recent generations of Corvettes, including the C7, have a wide variety of trims and packages to make a very customizable sports car. The Corvette C7 is available in four models and three trim packages. The four models include the Stingray, Z51, Grand Sport, and Z06. Each model can be outfitted with the 1LT, 2LT, or 3LT trim package. The model indicates the performance level of the car while the trim package indicates interior features and luxury level.
Corvette Stingray: This is the base model that features the V-8 engine mentioned earlier as well as dual exhausts, rear-wheel drive, HID headlights, GT bucket seats, a driver information center with an eight-inch display, keyless entry and start, and more. The 2LT version adds features like heated seats, heads-up display, Bose 10-speaker audio, and a theft-deterrent system. The 3LT version includes everything in the previous packages plus a custom leather interior package and an upgraded display.
Corvette Z51: The next level model has everything the Stingray has, but it specifically adds 19-inch front wheels paired with 20-inch rear wheels. It also has performance brakes, an electronic limited-slip differential, and performance exhaust and gear ratios. The different LT packages are the same as the Stingray.
Grand Sport 1LT Coupe: This model includes everything from the Z51, plus wider rear fenders, a wicker bill spoiler, rear differential cooler, and performance suspension. The 2LT and 3LT packages offer the same additional features as the Z51 and Stingray models.
Corvette Z06: The top model of the C7 Corvette, this is the only one to feature a supercharged version of the only available engine. The extra power clocks in at 640 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. Other features include a 3.42-ratio rear axle, rear differential cooler, performance suspension, aggressive exhaust, and aluminum wheels with pearl nickel paint. The extra interior packages offer interior features identical to the other three models.
Safety
The Corvette comes with a range of safety features like anti-lock brakes, stability control, front-impact air bags, side-impact air bags, pretensioners, and a security system. Performance brakes and suspension add to the confidence in driving the Corvette. The Corvette offers a rigid structure, plenty of air bags, and stability control to improve traction and handling. The recent models of Corvettes have not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS, which is common for luxury sports cars.
Reliability
Recent Corvette models show good reliability. The 2018 model features a J.D. Power reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, which is slightly above average. The standard warranty is 36,000 miles or three years, and the powertrain warranty is five years or 60,000 miles.
The Takeaway
The C7 Corvette models remained largely unchanged over the generation, save for a few tweaks. There’s no doubt that the Corvette is one of the most popular luxury sports cars on the market. It offers muscular V-8 engines with plenty of power, tight and thrilling handling, an upscale cabin, comfortable seats, and a good-size trunk for its niche. It’s also an easily recognizable and iconic American sports car with a healthy amount of customization options.
