What's New
What's new with the 2020 Corvette? Oh, nothing much, just that it's been wholly re-imagined and launches the model's eight generation. The biggest change is that the engine, a new 6.2-liter V8, now lives behind the driver, making it the first mid-engine configuration in the model's history.
The mid-engine layout bestows the Corvette with heroic levels of performance – and keep in mind that we're only talking about the $60,000 base model. Supercars everywhere should be concerned.
The all-new styling emphasizes the exotic engine configuration, with the hood drastically down in length and the body wearing wide, swooping bodywork. Interiors are likewise all new and will finally silence any and all "plastic fantastic" quips. Heaps of technology promise to make this Corvette just as comfortable and usable as the generations that have come before.
Choosing Your Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevy Corvette is presently only available in Stingray coupe form in three trims: 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT. Prices begin at $59,995 including destination for the 1LT and climb to $71,945 for the 3LT.
A Corvette Stingray convertible will arrive late in the model year and be priced $7,500 higher than a comparably-equipped hardtop.
Those hoping for something akin to the outgoing model's Z06 or ZR1 will have to be patient. The last few generations of Corvette have been introduced with just the base powertrain, only trickling out the higher performance models after the volume engine had one or two model years under its belt. Expect the new eighth-generation car to follow suit.
Engine Choices
All three Corvette trims are powered by the all-new 6.2-liter V8 engine, which replaces the prior car's engine of the same displacement. The new motor still refutes any sort of forced induction and remains naturally-aspirated – the only such V8 in its class, according to Chevrolet.
Horsepower count stands at 490 and there's 465 pound-feet of torque; both stats rise by five when the performance exhaust is equipped. Fuel economy has yet to be announced by the EPA.
An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the only option; manufacturing costs and engineering constraints made the traditional manual a no-go.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette still has a two-seat configuration. In a nod to the diverse buyer pool, three seat types are now available: the comfort-oriented GT1, the sporty GT2, and the track-special Competition seats. Each style is more aggressively bolstered than the last.
With the switch to mid-engine, there's now a front trunk where the engine used to reside, while a small rear trunk continues to allow traditional storage in the rear. Total cargo space across both is 12.6 cubic feet, which is enough room to swallow two sets of golf clubs.
Safety Features
The base Corvette only gets rear parking sensors as standard, while the 2LT and 3LT add a surround-view camera system, a rear camera mirror, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other than that, there's nothing to write home about with regards to active safety features.
Things like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and so on aren't even available.
Connectivity
Every Chevy Corvette has an 8-inch color touchscreen housed within the driver-canted center stack featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and wi-fi hot spot capability. 2LT and 3LT models come standard with navigation, a head-up display, and wireless charging.
Perhaps the crown jewel of the Corvette's technology toolbox is the Performance Data Recorder. Known as PDR, the system functions as both a dashboard camera and a measurement tool.
Take a spin around a track with the PDR queued up, and the car can play back video footage of the lap taken afterward. A dizzying amount of performance data is also compiled by the PDR. Viewers can choose how much, if any, of this data is overlaid atop the video playback.
1LT - From $59,995
The 1LT trim comes well equipped despite its title as the base Corvette. Standard features include leather upholstery, the GT1 bucket seats, eight-way power seats, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, remote start, a power rear hatch, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Five selectable drive modes, four-piston brakes, LED headlights, and 19-inch tires wrapped in all-season tires are also found on the equipment list.
The Z51 Performance Package ($5,000) is a must for anyone looking to really put the latest Corvette through its paces. It includes a performance suspension, performance exhaust (good for five additional hp and lb-ft of torque), a limited-slip differential, front and rear splitters, enhanced cooling, and summer tires.
GM's excellent Magnetic Ride adaptive dampers are a $1,895 option, but the upgrade first requires purchasing the Z51 Package. Navigation is a $1,795 standalone option, as are the Competition seats for $1,995.
2LT - From $67,295
The Corvette 2LT adds heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, wireless charging, and memory functionality for the steering wheel, outside mirrors, and both seats.
There's also a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, a head-up display, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Performance Data Recorder (PDR) is standard here as well.
One novel standalone option is a $1,495 front-lift system that can raise the front of the car 2 inches at low speed in anticipation of steep driveways, speed bumps, or similar low-clearance hazards. The system can even store and recall up to 1,000 distinct locations using GPS data.
3LT - From $71,945
The top of the pecking order is the 3LT. The big difference over the 2LT is its standard GT2 seats, Napa leather seats, and an interior swathed in leather and suede. There are more customization options for the 3LT than either of the lower trims.
Compare Corvette Trims Side-By-Side
As well equipped as the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette 1LT is, the 2LT is the our choice due to its plentiful array of luxuries, safety and technology features, and the indispensable PDR. To anyone looking to track their new toy, be sure to get the Z51 Performance Package, as it comes with all the proper hardware to fully exploit the Corvette's abilities.