2019 Chevrolet Corvette Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
The Corvette is Chevrolet's signature sports car. The C7 generation was introduced for 2014, and it is available as a removable hardtop coupe or folding soft top convertible. With a range of V-8 engines and performance upgrades available, Corvette configurations range from sporty grand tourers to hardcore track machines.
For 2019, the ZR1 joins the Corvette range. The fastest, most powerful Corvette ever , the ZR1 shows the maximum capabilities of the C7 chassis.
What We Think
The Chevrolet Corvette is the definition of a sports car. Great looks, a powerful engine, and sharp handling make it a thrill on the road or track. At the same time, it's surprisingly practical and makes a nice road tripper, as we found in our long-term 2015 Stingray Z51.
Performance variants like the balanced Grand Sport and raceway-ripping ZR1 enhance the Corvette experience. The powerful Z06 makes an awesome road car, but a cooling issue that may have affected one of our test cars limits its complete capabilities.
Quality is the Corvette's main issue. The interior is nicer than earlier models, but it's still too cheap and plasticky to match European competitors. Several squeaks and rattles in our long-term car raised concerns about overall quality.
All in the Corvette is a sweet machine, and it has built a legacy on its sporty character. That legacy continues in the 2020 C8 Corvette, all-new and better than ever before.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The 2019 Corvette is offered with several V-8 engine options. All power the rear wheels through either a seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
The LT1 V-8 used in Stingray models has 6.2 liters of displacement and produces 460 hp with 465 lb-ft of torque. In MotorTrend testing, manual transmission-equipped Stingray coupes and convertibles, including Z51 models, accelerated from 0-60 mph in between 3.7 and 3.9 seconds. EPA-rated fuel economy measures 16/25 mpg city/highway for manual transmission Stingrays, and 15/25 mpg for automatic models.
The LT1 also powers the Corvette Grand Sport. MotorTrend measured a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds for an automatic-equipped Grand Sport, and 3.9 seconds for a Grand Sport with a manual. The EPA rates the Grand Sport's fuel economy the same as the Stingray's.
The Corvette Z06 uses an LT4 supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, good for 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Testing by MotorTrend recorded 3.2-second 0-60 mph times for both manual and automatic transmission Z06s. Fuel economy is EPA-rated at 15/22 mpg with the manual transmission, and 14/23 with the automatic.
At the top of the C7 Corvette range is the ZR1. It features an LT5 supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 cranking out 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque. An automatic transmission ZR1 sprinted from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds in MotorTrend testing. EPA fuel economy lists at 13/19 mpg for manual models, and 12/20 mpg for automatics.
Safety
All Corvette models are equipped with front and side airbags for the driver and passenger. A rear camera is standard, and a front camera is optional. Active safety or driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking or adaptive cruise control aren't available.
Utility (Cargo Space and Interior Room)
Corvette coupes and convertibles have 37.9 inches of headroom, compared to 37.6 inches in the Ford Mustang. All C7 models have 43.0 inches of legroom, while the Mustang offers 45.1 inches as standard or 44.5 inches in GT350 and GT500 models.
Cargo capacity measures 15 cubic feet in Corvette coupe models, or 10 cubic feet in convertibles.
Technology
All Corvette models feature an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen loaded with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hotspot compatibility; built-in navigation is optional. All have a reconfigurable information display in the gauge cluster. A head-up display is standard on 1LT and 2LT trims, and all Z06 and ZR1 models. Depending on trim, a nine- or 10-speaker Bose audio system is fitted. An available performance data recorder uses a front-facing camera and various sensors to record video and telemetry when driving on track.
What is the Corvette Z51 Package?
If you're looking at Corvettes, you'll see a lot of Zs. The letter is used to indicate performance upgrades over standard Stingray models. From the Z51 package to the range-topping ZR1, Z-badged Corvette models have been tuned for speed. Check out our Corvette Z guide here.
Trim Levels
2019 Corvette Stingray, Grand Sport 1LT; Z06 1LZ; ZR1 1ZR
- Exterior: 19-inch front/20-inch rear wheels, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, HID headlights, tinted windows
- Interior: Leather seating upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable seats, 8.0-inch infotainment display, nine-speaker audio system; head-up display on Z06 and ZR1
- Convenience: Two-zone climate control, keyless entry and start
2019 Corvette Stingray, Grand Sport 2LT; Z06 2LZ
- Exterior: Shared with 1LT, plus auto-dimming side mirrors
- Interior: Leather on console, armrests, and gauge cluster, heated and ventilated seats, seat bolster and lumbar adjustment, head-up display, 10-speaker audio system, auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Convenience: Cargo net, front-facing camera, seat memory settings
2019 Corvette Stingray, Grand Sport 3LT; Z06 3LZ; ZR1 3ZR
- Exterior: Shared with 2LT
- Interior: Leather on dashboard, door panels, and console cover, perforated premium leather seating upholstery, faux suede trim
- Convenience: Built-in navigation, performance data recorder
