2024 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

　　

2024 Chevrolet Corvette Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Chevrolet is wasting no time winding up the Corvette purists. First it introduced the radically altered current-generation Corvette with its mid-engine layout and wild cockpit design. Now four years later, Chevy's made it a hybrid. OK, not exactly. But the 2024 Corvette has joined the march of progress by adding an electric motor to supplement its signature V8 muscle, a motor that sends more than 100 horsepower to the front wheels and effectively makes the Corvette a 600-plus-horsepower, all-wheel-drive sports car. In a final dash of cheek to the naysayers, Chevy has called it the E-Ray.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: The 2024 Corvette E-Ray

The E-Ray's electric motor is powered by a small battery pack that recharges itself during deceleration and braking. Rather than real hybrid efficiency, the electric motor simply augments the performance of the primary 6.2-liter V8 power source behind the front seats. Chevy says the E-Ray will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, which would make it one of the quickest cars on sale today. The electric motor does offer one handy benefit for early-rising commuters, though. The battery can power the E-Ray in EV-only Stealth mode at speeds up to 45 mph, meaning you won't have to worry about the V8 waking the neighbors as you make an early escape for some empty backroads. The Corvette E-Ray will also come standard with Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, useful for fade-free braking if you decide to sign up for a local track day.

　　

Competitors to consider

Competition is understandably fierce when it comes to the Corvette. For a similar mid-engine balance, the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster are exceptional alternatives, especially if you opt for the six-cylinder engines. The BMW M4 is a more conventional front-engine coupe that offers more in the way of practicality, while the new Ford Mustang delivers comparable levels of V8 Americana. Overall, the Corvette is one of our favorite sports cars on the road — be sure to read our Expert Rating below for our full deep dive — and the new E-Ray looks to make it even better.

　　

What’s it like to live with?

zzdcar bought a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, and so far we've driven it more than 26,000 miles. We love its performance and comfort, and surprisingly for a V8-powered sports car, its average mpg. We've kept track of its maintenance costs and share what we think of its technology and what it's like as a daily driver. For complete details and for several videos, make sure to check out our Corvette long-term road test.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Please note that this rating is based on a prior year and may change slightly once we test the Corvette's new driver assist features for 2024.

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the Corvette drive? Even in a class full of impressive performance cars, the Corvette stands out. In zzdcar' testing and using the car's launch control system, our 3LT coupe test car with all-season tires ripped from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds (3.3 seconds with 1 foot of rollout) and cleared the quarter mile in 11.8 seconds at more than 118 mph. Both times are very quick, and if you opt for the Z51 Performance package, those numbers are 3.4 seconds (3.2 seconds with rollout) and 11.5 seconds at 120 mph, respectively. Braking performance is excellent though not quite class-leading, but that's largely due to the narrow front tires. Our 3LT test car came to a stop from 60 mph in 109 feet; the Z51 Corvette with its sticker tires needed just 105 feet.

　　Steering and handling are both impressive, and the car's considerable limits can be explored even by drivers with only moderate skill. Likewise, the new eight-speed automatic transmission impresses with its smooth and quick shifts.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Corvette? The Corvette is one of the more comfortable cars in its class. Our test car had the optional MagneRide adaptive suspension. We found that it offers excellent compliance over a variety of road surfaces and smooths out bumps that would likely upset other sports cars. Adding to the comfort is the relative lack of wind and engine noise, though tire noise can be prominent on rough road surfaces.

　　The Corvette's GT2 bucket seats are road-trip champions that can help you stay comfortable over thousands of miles. They're less aggressive than the optional Competition seats but still hold you in place during high-speed cornering, and they're well padded enough for long-distance comfort. The climate system provides good airflow from its stylish vents, and the heated and ventilated seat functions work well.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below