2018 Chevrolet Corvette

Overview

The Chevrolet Corvette is rounding the corner this year on its 65th year of production, and although it's now old enough to sign up for Medicare, it doesn’t feel any longer in the tooth. In fact, it may be the best it’s ever been. A thunderous 455-hp V-8 provides the motivation for this Porsche hunter, and rounding out the package are a super-competent chassis, a fleet helm, and an aggressive exterior design. Don’t let the mildly tacky interior distract from the Stingray’s real performance chops. Toss one through a corner at speed, and any grumbles at the quantity of plastic in the interior will be dispensed with, along with (perhaps) your passenger’s recently consumed lunch. We eagerly await the next-generation Corvette. It appears that our prayers at the altar to the Lamborghini Miura have had the desired effect, because it's rumored that the engine will be located behind the driver for the first time. But until that day comes, we’ll continue gleefully bombing down back roads in this already excellent model.

What's New for 2018?

The Corvette sees more than a dozen small changes for 2018, including a wider-angle lens for the backup camera, a new exterior paint color, a new accent color for the interior trim stitching, and fresh additions to the information provided by the available performance data recorder. There’s also a new special-edition trim, dubbed Carbon 65 and limited to 650 copies, that celebrates the Corvette’s longevity as it enters its 65th year of production. The Carbon 65 is essentially a Corvette Grand Sport tarted up with visible carbon-fiber trim on the exterior and interior, including a flashy carbon-fiber spoiler. The package looks appealing, but its $15,000 price strains credulity.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Eight growling cylinders and 455 restless ponies mean the Corvette is intoxicatingly fun to drive. A pair of quick, engaging transmissions help make this a car we keep coming back to, even favored as we are with a parking lot full of choice alternatives. Although the Corvette’s engine and transmissions are unchanged for 2018, you won’t catch us complaining. Age has done nothing to dull the shine of these powertrains. Every Corvette except for the hotted-up Z06 (not covered here) uses the same 6.2-liter V-8 engine to make 455 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque—gobs of which are instantly available at any point up to the 6500-rpm redline. The performance exhaust, which adds 5 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque, is optional on the Stingray and standard on the Grand Sport. A seven-speed manual gearbox is standard, while an eight-speed automatic is available. If we had to complain about something, it’s that the gates in the manual are so tightly spaced that it’s easy to muff a quick up- or downshift in fifth through seventh gears. Luckily, the driver-information display in the cluster notes which gear you’re in before you even let the clutch out, in case you get confused. The Corvette is brutally quick, handles brilliantly, and stops as if you’ve driven into wet cement. It’s basically a supercar for a fraction of the price of a Ferrari, a McLaren, or a Lamborghini. The Grand Sport’s adjustable magnetorheological dampers (optional on all other trims) provide an amazingly compliant and comfortable ride in Tour mode and lock the chassis down progressively in Sport and Track modes.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Corvette may be in a class of its own for mass-market sports cars, but the infotainment system’s plastic buttons and large graphics look just a little cartoonish next to the grown-up center-stack module in the Audi TT RS. If these are the sacrifices that keep the Corvette’s price out of the stratosphere, then we’re happy to make them, but buyers who place a premium on luxury might want to look elsewhere. An available head-up display may intrigue enthusiasts and can display 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. This could be an inconvenient setup for drivers who frequently travel with a passenger. 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. Its cargo area is shallow but wide and accommodates as much luggage as the trunk of a BMW M3 sedan. Stowage space inside the cabin is less impressive, but a hidden cubby adds interest and real usefulness.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Chevrolet MyLink system is easy to use, quick to respond to commands, and loaded with features. Its lightning-quick touchscreen, large, easy-to-read graphics, and familiar menu layout are reminiscent of a smartphone’s. The Corvette’s three USB ports are pretty handy, too. 4G LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity are standard across the Corvette lineup but require the purchase of a monthly data plan via OnStar, General Motors’ telematics company. Two of the easily accessible USB ports are located inside the center console, and the other is hidden inside a cubby behind the sliding infotainment screen.

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.