The 2021 Chevy Corvette: The Legend Continues in Grand Fashion

Head on down to your Chevy dealer in Atlanta, and you’ll be in for a pretty big surprise because today’s Chevrolet lineup includes a handful of high-performance models with looks and performance that rival even the most expensive Italian sports cars. What’s more, these models boast a classic nameplate that is synonymous with thrilling on-the-road driving. What does the name Corvette conjure up in your mind?

With an infusion of performance-oriented imports flooding the high-end sports car market over the past decade, it’s easy to forget the one vehicle they’re all gunning to match: the Chevy Corvette. For 2021, the Corvette features futuristic styling that not only turns heads but leaves a lasting impression, leaving passersby to wonder, what kind of car is it? And with a starting price tag of under $60,000, the answer may well be found in your driveway.

Crafted with a modern mid-engine design and loaded with racing-inspired engineering, the Corvette still reigns as an industry and category leader, unsurprisingly earning a coveted spot on Car and Driver’s 10Best list for 2021. In its 68th year of production, the Chevy Corvette continues to inspire, impress, and innovate in the high-end sports coupe segment. When was the last time you explored the Corvette?

Heart-Pounding Speed and Agility

When it comes to sports cars, it starts and ends with what’s under the hood, or in the case of the 2021 Chevy Corvette, what’s just behind and below the driver’s seat. The new mid-engine Corvette derives its impressive power from a 6.2-liter V8 that pumps out a white knuckle-inducing 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. You’ll dial in that power more precisely thanks to the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard rear-wheel drive powertrain.

A double-wishbone suspension, along with monotube shock absorbers and a rear stabilizer bar, contribute to confidence-inspiring cornering and handling that easily tames the powertrain’s over-the-top capability. This newest Corvette catapults from 0-60 in a scant 2.9 seconds and tackles a quarter-mile in just over 11 seconds. For context, consider that the 2021 Ferrari 812 Superfast GTS reaches 60 in 2.8 seconds. For that extra one-tenth of a second, prepare to spend approximately $300,000 more.

If even that’s not sufficient to entice you, consider adding the available Z51 Performance Package. It adds about $6,000 to the price tag, but the list of add-ons reads like an Indy car spec sheet. They include special performance Brembo brakes, a specially-tuned suspension designed for race track use, a performance exhaust and rear axle ratio, an electronic limited-slip differential for enhanced traction, Michelin Pilot run-flat tires (larger in the rear), and a custom engineered front splitter and rear spoiler.

It’s no wonder MotorTrend named the 2021 Corvette “the best Corvette ever built” and deems it a worthy competitor of such revered sports car brands as Porsche and BMW. That’s partially due to Chevy’s Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, a damping system that can read the road and adapt to changing conditions every ten milliseconds. The suspension fluid it relies upon contains metal particles magnetized to change suspension stiffness, further enhancing road grip and control for better performance even at high speeds and during aggressive cornering.

Plenty of Trims and Configurations to Choose From

There is no such thing as a base model in the Corvette lineup, which means even entry trim buyers receive the same performance capability as buyers that travel deeper into the lineup. The Corvette 1LT, available in Coupe or Convertible body styles, offers a 10-speaker Bose audio system, Mulan leather GT1 seats with an 8-way power setting, a 12-inch Driver Information Center, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Move up to the 2LT, and you’ll get all the features found on the 1LT, as well as standard navigation, an upgraded 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system, HD front and rear vision cameras, a head-up display, and heated and ventilated seats with power lumbar and bolster seat controls for both occupants. Also standard is a rear camera mirror and a handful of driver-assist safety technologies.

Moving from the 1LT to the 2LT represents the biggest price jump in the lineup. That’s because the 2LT also adds more advanced theft deterrent equipment, including an interior movement sensor and an innovative inclination sensor, the latter of which works by detecting when the vehicle is lifted vertically. This prevents the car from being jacked up or towed, both common methods for car thieves.

At the top of the lineup sits the dynamic and fully-loaded 3LT. Seating upgrades to standard GT2 bucket seats with carbon fiber trim and Napa leather surfaces. Choosing the 3LT also unlocks access to eight different custom interior configurations, from red seating to suede microfiber seat inserts. A leather-wrapped dash is standard, along with leather door trim panels.

Technology and Driver-Assistance Add Excitement

An uncommonly aggressive sports car deserves an equally dynamic interior layout. Even the steering wheel contributes to the 2021 Corvette’s capabilities, with its oblong flat top and flat bottom design. Chevy incorporates streamlined ultra-thin air vents for a minimalist dash and puts climate and seat controls alongside the console within easy reach of the driver and passenger.

The onboard infotainment touchscreen is installed at an angle for better driver access, and the standard 12-inch digital driver display is reconfigurable in three themes for easy access to key vehicle data, including speed and tire status. The available navigation displays in 3D view and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make smartphone integration simple and unencumbered by charging cables.

Choose the Performance Data Recorder, and you’ll benefit from a system that records acceleration, braking, and other driving data, letting you learn how to optimize performance and fine-tune your driving skills. The system is also a built-in dash cam that you can set to auto record. It comes in especially handy in Valet Mode, so you can see how others are operating your vehicle.

The days of “bottoming out” are over, thanks to the available Front Lift system. Front Lift lets you raise the front of the vehicle nearly two inches almost instantly to help navigate speed bumps or other driving hazards that could interfere with the undercarriage and potentially cause damage. The system even has a memory feature to store up to 1,000 locations for automatic activation during your daily drives.

Though it’s a popular feature, the Driver Mode Selector, a system that learns and calibrates up to 12 performance settings, is almost unnecessary because of the Corvette’s already robust ride management capabilities. If you opt for Driver Mode Selector, you’ll be able to choose from popular settings like Tour, Sport, and Track. Each is designed to optimize the Corvette’s myriad capabilities. My Mode and Z-Mode are customizable settings drivers can design on their own.

Finding Your Corvette

With all of these features, along with three trims and two available body styles, choosing the right Corvette for you might seem a bit confusing. The good news is there’s no bad decision. Every Corvette delivers the same high-end performance and striking looks. Choosing a trim is more about deciding on interior cabin features and finishes. Opting for the convertible adds a power-retractable hardtop, as well as a slightly different mix of standard equipment. However, the coupe has a removable roof panel, making it effectively a convertible as well.

Is a Corvette right for you? If you’re shopping for a sports car with breathtaking acceleration, the kind of exterior styling that turns heads, and available track-ready performance features, it’s a perfect choice. Some buyers believe that true sports car pedigree can only be found in vehicles that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. That’s what makes the Corvette the best-kept secret in the category. For under $60,000, you’ll easily keep up with just about any other street-legal vehicle in existence.