2019 Chevrolet Corvette

Is the Chevrolet Corvette a Good Car?

The Chevrolet Corvette is a great car, and it's available in coupe and convertible body styles. There are several engine options, all of which deliver exceptional power, and it handles so well that you'll probably never sniff this car's limits outside of a racetrack. This Chevy has an attractive cabin with comfortable seats and some user-friendly technology. It gets subpar fuel economy estimates compared to cars in the class with smaller engines, and some rivals offer more features. Those are the biggest knocks against the Corvette.

Should I Buy the Chevrolet Corvette?

The Corvette delivers outstanding performance, and with a starting price lower than many of its peers', it also delivers a good value in this class. However, that doesn't mean it's the only car worth considering; the Porsche Cayman and Jaguar F-Type are both fine choices. You might also consider another Chevy sports car – the Camaro.

Compare the Corvette, F-Type, and Camaro »

Should I Buy a New or Used Chevrolet Corvette?

The 2019 Corvette belongs to a generation that began with the 2014 model year. The only change for 2019 is the addition of the 755-horsepower ZR1 model. The 2018 model gained standard HD Radio, but there weren't any other notable changes. The Grand Sport trim was introduced to the lineup for 2017, and the Z06 debuted for 2016. The small number of changes across the years means you could potentially save thousands of dollars by shopping for a used Corvette that's not very different from the new model.

If you're interested in a used model, be sure to visit our overviews of the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette and 2018 Chevrolet Corvette. Also, check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

Compare the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Corvette »

We Did the Research for You: 36 Reviews Analyzed

Our car reviews include everything you need to know before heading to the dealership. We combine the opinions of the automotive press with quantifiable data like crash test results and reliability ratings to form a complete picture of every vehicle we rank.

This review uses applicable research and data from all model years of the current Corvette generation, dubbed C7, which runs from 2014 to 2019.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking vehicles since 2007, and our team has more than 75 years of combined experience in the automotive industry. Our car reviews are objective. To keep them that way, our editorial staff doesn’t accept expensive gifts or trips from automakers, and a third party handles all the advertising on our site.

How Much Does the Chevrolet Corvette Cost?

The Corvette Stingray's base price is around $55,500, putting it on the low end of the spectrum among luxury sports cars. The Corvette Grand Sport starts at around $65,500, and the Corvette Z06 starts at $79,495. The most expensive model is the Corvette ZR1, which has a starting price around $119,000. That's in a bit of a no-man's land for the class; only the Jaguar F-Type has a comparable top-trim price. Most other cars in the class have top trims that cost far more or far less than $120,000.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Chevrolet dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Chevrolet deals page.

Chevrolet Corvette Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Chevrolet Corvette or Chevrolet Camaro?

Though both the Camaro and Corvette are both sports cars made by Chevrolet, they have some major differences. The Camaro costs far less and has a rear seat, letting you transport more than two people. The Corvette is more luxurious and delivers better performance, though there are high-performance Camaro models that feature some of the same engines found in the Corvette, including the 455-horsepower V8 in the Camaro SS and the 650-horsepower, supercharged V8 found in the Camaro ZL1. Choosing the right car in this matchup will largely depend on your lifestyle and budget.

Which Is Better: Chevrolet Corvette or Jaguar F-Type?

The Jaguar F-Type is on the Corvette's level when it comes to providing powerful engines and athletic handling. Inside, however, you'll see how these two rivals differ. The Jaguar is more posh, but the Chevy has more trunk space, more features, and an easier-to-use infotainment system. The F-Type is a good car, but the Corvette finishes higher in the rankings for a reason, and it's a better choice for most buyers.

Which Is Better: Chevrolet Corvette or Porsche Cayman?

The Porsche Cayman and its soft-topped twin, the Porsche Boxster, both finish near the top of our rankings and cost about the same as the Corvette. Like the Corvette, the Cayman delivers a level of performance that stands out even among luxury sports cars. Of the two, the Corvette is the better value for your money, since it comes with more standard amenities than the Cayman. Adding comparable options to the Porsche raises its price quickly.

Compare the Corvette, Camaro, and F-Type »

Corvette Performance

Corvette Engine: Can't Go Wrong

Every Corvette features a beefy V8 engine that overflows with power. Even the base engine, which puts out 455 horsepower (460 with the optional performance exhaust), throws you back in the seat if you stomp the gas, making this car a thrill to drive. The 650-horsepower Z06 and 755-horsepower ZR1 (a new trim for 2019) are so powerful that they almost seem excessive.

Corvette Gas Mileage: The Downside of All That Power

Most other luxury sports cars get better gas mileage than the Chevy Corvette. The Vette's base engine gets 15 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, and the stronger engines get worse fuel economy.

Compared to rivals like the Jaguar F-Type and Porsche Boxster, the Corvette could cost you about $800-$900 more per year in gas money. That said, the Corvette's ratings are in line with those of other V8-powered competitors.

Corvette Ride and Handling: Doesn't Get Much Better

Few cars in any class can match the Corvette's athleticism. It's nimble and responsive, and it has excellent road grip, making it one of the most dynamic and fun-to-drive cars around. And while some sports cars' ride qualities suffer in the name of performance, the Corvette delivers a cushioned ride.

Read more about performance »

Corvette Interior

How Many People Does the Corvette Seat?

The Corvette seats two people, and it does so in style. The seats are comfortable and provide all-day support. It's easy to find a suitable driving position, forward visibility is good, and the center-stack controls are within easy reach of the driver.

Corvette and Car Seats

The Corvette doesn't feature LATCH car-seat connectors, making it less than ideal for transporting young kids.

Corvette Interior Quality

Climb inside the Chevy Corvette, and you'll find an attractive, well-built cabin. The materials quality matches the price point, making the Corvette feel like a true luxury sports car. Some rivals are swankier, however.

Corvette Cargo Space

Few luxury sports cars can match the Corvette coupe's 15-cubic-foot trunk, which is wide and flat. It provides enough room for more than 10 pieces of carry-on luggage. Convertible models have just 10 cubic feet of room, but that's still more than many competitors provide.

Corvette Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard features in the Corvette include Bluetooth, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, and the MyLink infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot. Convertible models come with a soft top, while coupes have a removable roof panel that stows in the cargo area. Available features include a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, and a performance data recorder.

In general, the MyLink infotainment system works well and makes it easy to find and change settings for audio and climate functions. However, some MyLink features – like voice control – don't always work perfectly, so you may want to take advantage of smartphone connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Read more about interior »

Corvette Reliability

Is the Chevrolet Corvette Reliable?

The 2019 Corvette is part of a generation that typically earns a predicted reliability rating of three out of five from J.D. Power. That's an average rating for the automotive industry, and it's a typical rating for a luxury sports car.

Chevrolet Corvette Warranty

Chevrolet backs the Corvette with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

Corvette Safety

Corvette Crash Test Results

Like most luxury sports cars, the 2019 Corvette has not been crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Corvette Safety Features

The Corvette comes with a rearview camera and offers a front curb-view camera and a color head-up display.

Read more about safety »

Which Chevrolet Corvette Model Is Right for Me?

Chevy certainly doesn't make it easy on you when picking out a Corvette. First, you choose which model you want from among the Stingray, Grand Sport, Z06, and the new-for-2019 ZR1. Then, you choose from one of several trim levels with names like 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ.

In general, the base 1LT/LZ trims come standard with the MyLink infotainment system, an 8-inch touch-screen display, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, Bluetooth, HD Radio, voice commands, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, an 8-inch digital instrument display, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity-key entry, push-button start, and a rearview camera.

The 2LT/LZ trim levels get heated and ventilated seats with power-adjustable bolsters and lumbar support. A front curb-view camera, a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system, a color head-up display, and an auto-dimming driver's side exterior mirror and rearview mirror are also added. Interior enhancements with the 3LT/LZ trims include Nappa leather seats, additional surfaces covered in leather and suede, navigation, and a performance data recorder.

Since even the Stingray features an engine with abundant power and dynamic acceleration, it makes a great choice for most Corvette shoppers. You can opt for one of the higher trims if you want more luxury and technology features, and you'll save a pretty penny compared to the models with more powerful engines.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The Stingray has a base price of $55,495 for coupe models and $59,495 for convertible models. It features a 455-horsepower V8 engine (460 if you opt for the performance exhaust), a seven-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive. The available Stingray Z51 Performance package adds mechanical components like an electronic limited-slip differential, a sport-tuned suspension system, upgraded brakes and tires, and an aero package.

If you select the top trim and add the Z51 package, prices for the Stingray creep into the low-to-mid-$70,000s, depending on which body style you get.

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

The Grand Sport starts at $65,495 for coupe models and $69,495 for convertible models. It has the same powertrain as the Stingray, though the engine puts out 5 extra horses in the Grand Sport (for a total of 460 horsepower), thanks to the inclusion of the performance exhaust system. The Grand Sport also features a wider stance, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, and an electronic limited slip differential. There are several packages that add performance and style upgrades. The best way to explain the Grand Sport's place in the lineup is that it features the base Stingray's engine with many of the Z06's suspension and body components for better handling.

At the top trim level, the Grand Sport costs around $75,000-$80,000, depending on body style.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The Z06 has a starting price of $79,495 for coupe models and $83,495 for convertibles. The Corvette Z06 was, at least for the past few model years, the big boy of the lineup. It features a 650-horsepower V8 mated to either the standard seven-speed manual transmission or available eight-speed automatic.

Notable features include a wide body stance, a rear spoiler, performance exhaust, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, an electronic limited slip differential, and a color head-up display. You can also add the Z07 Performance package. Upgrading to the top trim in the Z06 pushes the price into the neighborhood of $90,000.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

We talk about the Z06's top-dog status in the past tense because for 2019, the Corvette ZR1 returns to the lineup and reclaims its place atop the Corvette hierarchy. The ZR1 starts at $118,900 for a coupe and $122,900 for a convertible (and climbs to around $130,000 if you want the top trim level). A 755-horsepower V8 comes standard in the ZR1, making it the ultimate Corvette from a performance standpoint.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Chevrolet dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Chevrolet deals page.

See 2019 Chevrolet Corvette specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette delivers outstanding performance, even for a sports car, and it has a generally high-quality interior. It's not a perfect car, but it brings a lot to the table. That's why it earns a spot in the top third of our luxury sports car rankings and why it deserves a look from luxury sports car shoppers.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "The latest Corvette is absolutely the best yet, with acceleration, steering, cornering and braking that leave former iterations and many rivals in the dust. It's fast. And thrilling. The Corvette's comfort and convenience also help it carve its own niche in the sports-car world." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "In any guise, the Corvette is a blast to drive. But there's more than amazing performance to recommend the Corvette. The coupe has a larger trunk than you'd expect, the seats are comfortable, and - especially when equipped with adaptive suspension dampers — the ride is surprisingly compliant. If the Corvette has any real weakness, it's that there are some amazing competitors on the road, and with a top price breaking into six-figure territory, buyers trying to trade dollars for driving excitement are spoiled for choice. But most buyers will be looking at the Stingray and Grand Sport models, and at that price point not much can match the Corvette's specific charms. The Corvette is American performance writ large, carrying on a proud, homegrown heritage. It's power and speed and fun and a V8 soundtrack." -- Edmunds
• "The 2016 Chevrolet Corvette is still one of the most exciting, enjoyable performance cars on the market, and it touts an amazing array of benefits from a well-equipped interior with many high-end materials to an impressive 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V8." -- Autotrader (2016)