Price: The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette has a starting MSRP of $60,900 for the coupe and $68,400 for the convertible. The 3LT convertible model starts at $79,850.
Chevrolet fulfilled an old prophecy when the C8 generation of the iconic Corvette came out in 2020 with a mid-engine configuration. It’s been rumored for decades and we couldn’t be happier that it’s finally a reality. The standard V-8 engine delivers heart-pounding acceleration, and the mid-engine layout translates to exceptional handling without sacrificing comfort.
The Chevrolet Corvette continues to be one of the best values in sports cars. It has the performance and refinement to rival much more expensive luxury sports cars like the Audi R8 and Porsche POAHY,
911, but its price is closer to that of the mid-engined Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman. If you’re looking for supercar-worthy performance and aesthetics on a relatively modest budget, the Corvette is an unbeatable value in this segment.
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2022 Chevrolet Corvette Price
Pricing for the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette starts at $60,900 for the coupe and $68,400 for the convertible for the base 1LT trim. The more high-tech 2LT version starts at $68,200 for the coupe and $75,200 for the convertible. Finally, the 3LT model starts at $72,850 for the coupe and $79,850 for the convertible.
Value has always been one of the strengths of the Chevrolet Corvette. The starting price finally broke the $60,000 mark for 2022, but that’s still exceptional value for a mid-engined sports car of this caliber.
The Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster have similar starting prices, but the 718’s base 4-cylinder engine isn’t quite as powerful and the cost of options can run wild. Another close competitor to the Corvette is the Jaguar F-Type, which comes standard with a supercharged V8 but starts at just under $70,000.
Destination charge of $1,295 applies to all Corvette models.
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Driving the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette
Although the mid-engined C8 generation is unlike any other Corvette before it, it’s still powered by a big naturally aspirated V8 engine. Delivering power to the rear wheels through a quick-shifting 8-speed DCT transmission, this V8 delivers lightning-fast acceleration and a top speed of up to 194 mph. With that powertrain matched to the well-designed mid-engine layout and nimble handling, the Corvette is a true American supercar.
The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette
Chevy
The Corvette C8 continues the nameplate’s reputation as a sports car you can drive every day. It’s comfortable and composed in everyday street driving, and it’s even pretty good on gas for a V8-powered sports car. The Corvette is indeed a car you can drive to work during the week and hit the track on weekends. It gets even better with the optional Magnetic Ride Control, which adds adaptive dampers that improve comfort and performance.
Drive modes can significantly alter the personality of the Corvette. These riding modes adjust various systems such as power delivery, suspension, steering, etc. Self-explanatory driving modes include Tour, Weather, Sport and Track. There’s also a customizable Z mode that you can activate with a button on the steering wheel.
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The Z51 option package available across the entire model line improves the performance of the Corvette. By tweaking the suspension, brakes, and exhaust while adding upgraded tires, a heavy-duty cooling system, and an electronic limited-slip differential, the Corvette becomes a better track toy while still being a great sports car to drive in. the street. With the Z51 package, the Corvette’s 0-60 mph time is just 2.9 seconds.
Interior comfort
The interior of the Chevy Corvette is extremely driver-focused. It has a cockpit that practically wraps around the driver with well laid out controls that are easy to reach and operate, even during a spirited ride.
The long spine of buttons between the seats can be intimidating at first, but they’re more intuitive than you might think. Also, the square-shaped steering wheel may seem strange at first glance, but it’s easy to see why it’s designed this way to maximize comfort and visibility while being easy to control.
Two-seat sports cars aren’t known for their practicality, but the Corvette has a surprising amount of cargo space. Generous cargo space in the trunk and ‘frunk’ – the front trunk – combined with the comfortable seats make the Corvette a surprisingly practical daily driver as long as you don’t need the rear seats.
Exterior Styling
The Chevrolet Corvette’s mid-engine architecture gives it an exotic yet muscular aesthetic. It doesn’t quite look like its predecessors, but it still definitely looks like a Corvette. It has sharp angles throughout the well-sculpted body with a bulge housing the big V-8 engine. The air ducts in the front fascia and behind the doors are prominent but not too outrageous.
Something we love about this exterior is that topless fun is an option on every 2022 Corvette. The coupe model comes with a painted removable roof panel and the convertible has a retractable hardtop. The convertible opens up the cabin more than the removable roof panel, and unlike the coupe, you can raise and lower the roof as you drive.
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Favorite features
Mid-engine layout
After decades of rumors, the mid-engined Corvette has finally arrived in 2020, and we’re still excited about it. It gives the iconic Corvette the supercar status it deserves.
Z51 performance package
The available Z51 package adds extra style and performance to the Corvette without raising the price too much. It adds a performance exhaust, brakes and suspension, as well as some cosmetic upgrades.
Standard Features
Part of what makes the Corvette such a great value is the base 1LT’s generous list of standard features. Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-speaker Bose audio, OnStar, remote start, power seats and steering column, rear parking sensors and a mechanical slip differential limit.
The standard infotainment system is an 8-inch touchscreen with Wi-Fi hotspot capability and Android Auto and Apple AAPL wireless,
Carplay. Directly in front of the driver is a fully digital 12-inch gauge cluster with several selectable gauge modes and configurations.
Factory Options
Upgrading to the 2LT version adds excellent luxury and technology features. It adds navigation, 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio, head-up display, front camera, rear camera mirror, video and performance data recorder, heated and ventilated seats, cushions electric seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charger and a garage door opener.
The 3LT trim has similar equipment to the 2LT model and is primarily an interior upgrade. It features GT2 bucket seats (optional on LT2), a custom leather-wrapped interior package, and a suede microfiber-wrapped upper interior trim package.
A few safety tech features that are standard in the 2LT and 3LT trims include rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring.
One of the most attractive option packages for the Corvette is the Z51 Performance Package, which you can add to any trim as a coupe or convertible. Z51 brings an appearance package with a unique rear spoiler and front splitter, but the real reason to get it is the performance upgrades. These include performance-tuned suspension, brakes, exhaust and rear axle ratio, as well as an electronic limited-slip differential. It also adds high performance tires and a heavy duty cooling system making it more ready for track use.
The IMSA GTLM Championship C8.R Edition ($6,595) available for 3LT models is new for 2022. It commemorates the C8.R’s dominance in the 2020 IMSA GTLM season. It requires the Z51 Performance Package and is primarily a appearance set mimicking the racing cars on which it is based. It’s available in Accelerated Yellow or Hypersonic Gray with yellow brake calipers, unique wheels, high-wing spoiler and “C8.R Edition” badging.
There are a wide variety of options that allow you to customize the exterior and interior to your liking. From the contrast stitching to the wheel options and even the color of the seat belts, this is a sports car you can personalize without the price going out of your mind.
Engine and transmission
In its third production model year, the C8 Corvette still has only one engine option. Chevrolet has promised that the track-ready Z06 variant will be ready for the 2023 model year. In the meantime, we’re more than happy with the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 behind the seats.
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The engine develops 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The performance exhaust that comes with the Z51 package adds 5 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque. Every Corvette is equipped with rear-wheel drive and an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. We’d love to see a manual option, but this DCT offers quick and satisfying shifts.
6.2 liter V8
490 horsepower at 6,450 rpm (495 with performance exhaust)
465 lb-ft of torque at 5,150 rpm (470 with performance exhaust)
EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 15/27 mpg
This story originally took place on KBB.com.
