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2017 Chevrolet Corvette

Starting at $56,445

10/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2017 chevrolet corvette convertible
Car and Driver
10/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Sleek styling, awesome powertrain, cat-like grip.
  • Lows Downscale interior, light on in-cabin storage, tightly spaced gates in manual gearbox.
  • Verdict The Corvette continues to close in on its supercar rivals at a more attainable price.

Overview

With a thundering 455-hp V-8 under the hood, so much grip that it feels as if it generates its own gravitational pull, and a ferocious countenance, the Corvette is a great sports car—a supercar, in some of its guises. Better yet, it’s far more affordable than many of the cars it competes with for performance. Noticeably downscale interior materials are our only quibble; no passengers will confuse this for an Audi. But once you pin the accelerator or swing through a corner at speed, they’ll be too stunned to complain.

What's New for 2017?

Chevrolet added a new model to the Corvette lineup for 2017 with the introduction of the Grand Sport. It appropriates the flared fenders and extra-strength chassis elements from the track-ready Z06, but it has the same powertrain as the base Corvette. That manageable but still scary fast and hugely competent setup won the Grand Sport a spot on our 10Best Cars list for 2017. The rest of the lineup saw only minor aesthetic changes.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

  • 1LT: $56,445
  • 2LT: $60,900
  • 3LT: $66,190
  • Z51: $61,445
  • Grand Sport: $66,445

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every Corvette except the hotted-up Z06 uses the same 6.2-liter V-8 engine to make 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque—gobs of which are instantly available at any point up to the 6500-rpm redline. A seven-speed manual transmission is standard, while an eight-speed automatic is available. There’s something truly special about cranking through gears in the manual on the way to the Corvette’s sub-four-second zero-to-60-mph run. In the lower gears, your neck strains to hold your head up, but the automatic is smooth and even quicker in our tests, doing the deed in a stunning 3.7 seconds. If we had to complain about something, it’s that the gates in the seven-speed manual are so tightly spaced that it’s easy to muff a quick up- or downshift in fifth through seventh gears. On the road, the Corvette is brutally quick, handles brilliantly, and stops as if you’ve driven into wet cement. It’s nearly a supercar for a fraction of the price of a Ferrari, a McLaren, or a Lamborghini.

2017 chevrolet corvette convertibleView Photos
Car and Driver

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Drivers in search of such creature comforts as 20-way adjustable seats and all-leather dashboards can certainly find them in this class. The Corvette’s fittings are a little more modest but still perfectly acceptable, and that’s a compromise many will be willing to make for the bargain they’re getting on performance. One aspect of the interior we have noticed on almost every Corvette we’ve tested is the overpowering smell of plastic, especially in hot weather. An available head-up display can project anything from turn-by-turn directions to a g-force meter. The Corvette’s center stack is canted hard toward the driver, with a trim piece (featuring an integrated handle for nervous passengers) fencing off the shotgun rider’s view of and access to the infotainment screen. Cargo capacity isn’t the main concern for most buyers in this category, but the Corvette is a surprisingly good choice for sports-car shoppers who need to carry a lot of gear. Stowage space inside the cabin is less impressive, but a hidden cubby adds real usefulness.

2017 chevrolet corvette convertible interiorView Photos
Car and Driver

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Chevrolet MyLink system is easy to use, quick to respond to commands, and heavy on features. Standard items include Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Wi-Fi is also standard across the Corvette lineup but requires the purchase of a monthly data plan via OnStar, General Motors’ telematics company. Three USB ports, two inside the center console and the other hidden inside a cubby behind the sliding infotainment screen, should keep everyone happy.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Chevrolet Corvette’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.

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