I’m no stranger to the Chevy C8 Corvette. In fact, my head jerked so fast at the announcement of an eighth-gen, mid-engine ‘Vette, I had my order in to Chevrolet before the “$25K dealer markup” was even a gleam in the dealership’s eye. A victim to supply chain shortages and COVID shutdowns, my 2020 C8 turned into a 2021 and unless inclement weather forces me to leave it tucked in the garage, it is my daily and I love it. That being said, the opportunity to road test the sparkly new 2024 version piqued my interest. After all, who better to judge the good, the bad, and the ugly advancements, changes, and deletes of the 2024 Chevy C8 than someone who knows what one of the early releases is like.
In 2024, the C8 Corvette is available as a Stingray, Stingray Z51, Z06, and E-Ray electric hybrid. My time behind the wheel of the 2024 Corvette was in the C8 Stingray 1LT, with Chevy’s upgraded performance-exhaust system for enhanced horsepower. The base price for the Stingray 1LT is $68,300. As tested, the MSRP on this C8 was $73,180 including destination charge and sans any dreaded dealer markup.
Unfortunately for the Corvette consumer, the C8 is still commanding that dealer markup, and the markup is still being found as high as $50K for some models. It is a steep add to the out-the-door price of the fighter jet-inspired sports car, but not a deterrent to all. So, in honor of the bizarrely overpriced, upside-down equity, cha-ching ask, for this test, I chose to roll the C8 through the city ranked as one of the wealthiest cities in the world - California's San Jose. The ride took me through the streets of the city, past Levi Stadium, home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, by the NHL’s San Jose Sharks' stadium, atop the glitzier, tech-filled, high-rise apartment buildings, and amidst the grittier downtown area, known for its street art and landmark murals. Handling was tested through the area’s Santa Teresa hills, and a stretch of U.S. Route 101, the north-south highway that cuts through the West Coast. Speed tests were performed in a back road area, off the beaten path.
2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: First Impressions
Even though this is the 5th model year of the C8 Corvette, the exotic-esque appearance of Chevrolet’s current-gen Corvette Stingray is still a head-turner, and although the aesthetic has ventured some from that of the C7, the C8 couldn’t be a more perfect infusion of modern innovation into the iconic nameplate it is emblazoned with. Walking towards my pick-up location, I immediately recognized the familiar C8 silhouette and scanned for differences. Nothing was particularly noticeable on the exterior. I got in a Stingray Coupe, which are all equipped with a removable, hardtop panel. Although the manually-removable roof allows for topless cruising, it is not the same as the hardtop convertible option, and from its sideview it is slightly reminiscent of the Smokey and The Bandit T-Top 1977 Trans Am - of course, without the center support.
Exterior Dimensions
Driving Impressions And Performance
Hearing the 2024 C8 turnover was music to my ears - like the sound of a favorite song. Chevy's C8s have a brief, but distinctive gruff throatiness as the first push of fuel is gulped into action, which then retreats into a smoother, more refined purr. There was no change in that growl as the internal combustion engine roared to life in this 2024 example. The road test commenced. To say the C8 Corvette is quick doesn’t do it justice. It is amazingly quick, clocking a 2.9 second zero to 60 MPH with the available Z51 Performance Package. Overall, the 2024 Stingray maintains eighth-gen ferocity.
This particular C8 did not have the available Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0, which created a noticeable difference in the ride. When the available option is included, Chevy boasts the ability to “read the road every millisecond and adapt in as little as 10 to 15 milliseconds.” The lack of the feature by no means created a poor ride; however, the sure-footed plant just didn’t feel quite as smooth.
Another feature deleted from the 1LT and greatly missed from this particular C8 example was the Front Lift. When equipped with Front Lift, the Corvette will raise the nose two-inches in less than three seconds. And so, that a driver doesn’t have to completely stop on the speed humps, Front Lift can be operated while in motion at speeds under 38 MPH. A Lift memory will allow automatic rise at up to 1,000 inputs, removing the need for the driver to initiate the button on regular routes. Short but steep inclines into parking garages, driveways, or undulations make this a must-have for my taste. As I’ve said before, no one likes a busted nose and the C8’s low front splitter makes that nearly a certainty. Note: A band-aid may need to be applied to the road rash on the bottom of this test C8’s splitter after my trip.
Braking And Acceleration
As tested, in Sport Mode, this C8, complete with dealer-installed performance-enhancing exhaust and track telemetry bolted through a 3.1-second zero to 60, just north of the sub-three seconds it is capable of. I will chock that up to road conditions, as previous claims have it at 2.8 with the current exhaust. The top speed was not tested on this trip, but for those that want to put it down on the track or break bad on the back roads, the C8 does have the potential for a top speed of 194 MPG.
The standard, automatic eight-speed, dual clutch transmission shifted rocket quick, and so effortlessly, unless paying close attention, the gear changes just fade into the background. Paddle shifters, a fan favorite, that allow the driver to shift the C8 into neutral while rolling and rev on the fly to incite a nearby car to run it, are still available just behind the steering wheel. Rolling acceleration is exceptional in all gears, first through 6th.
The Brembo braking system is everything you would expect on a sports car of this quality. When its full stopping power is engaged, the C8 manages its weight distribution well. It isn’t pushy coming into the corner. There is no dip. There is no roll. It's very firm. It just hooks and books.
- Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 2.9 Seconds
- Braking: 60-0 MPH: 109 Feet
Performance Specification
2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Fuel Economy
Over the course of the five model years of the eighth-gen C8, the fuel economy has had a minimal decline. As tested by the EPA, the mid-engine Corvette Stingray debuted in 2020 rated at 15 MPG City, 27 MPG Highway and 19 combined. In 2022, the ratings changed to 16 MPG city, 24 Highway, but was still 19 combined. It is still close for 2024 with the only change being 25 MPG Highway. Although these are official ratings, in conservative driving modes, it is possible to achieve better overall fuel economy in a C8, as seen in the image above.
Interior Design And Comfort
Entering the C8 is not the easiest for inexperienced drivers. I, myself, am accustomed to the "sit-and-spin" method of entry, so acclimation was not an issue for me, but it isn’t always the easiest car to enter or exit for the less than nimble. The car's height provides low seating, which can be a deterrent for some. Eight seat positioning options made it easy to get comfortable for cruising or on-the-ready for track trips.
Once inside, the two-seater's interior presented relatively unchanged, until one of the edited details glared out at me as I looked into the rearview mirror to adjust my view. Overall, the mirror was smaller, and there was the addition of the camera views inset into the mirror. I'm quite sure that the rear cameras were a way to combat the limited rear sideviews and blind spots that the snug cabin affords; however, the cam's framed area wasn't always what I wanted to see and so the view wasn't as user-friendly as a manually-adjustable rearview.
The wraparound cockpit was cozy and comfortable. The GT1 race seats now standard for the 2024 LT1 were an improvement over previous years' LT1 seats. They are not quite as perfect as the LT2 or LT3, but a definite upgrade. Although there was plenty of legroom and headroom for me, I have heard complaints in regard to the tight quarters when one of my hulking male friends attempted to sit in the vehicle. The electric adjustment makes it easy to situate a sweet spot for the rider and passenger.
Interior Dimensions
Technology And Ease Of Use
While the graphics were on point, and gargantuan leaps forward over those seen on the display screen of the early years' C8, the tech took a back step for me, due to the "pay-to-play" position. The Apple Car Play integration was as expected and visible on an 8.0" diagonal touchscreen with built-in Google. However, without an iPhone connection, the display screen prompted "subscription required" messages for most services. This was not a condition in the less advanced tech services of the first years of the mid-engine. Audio plays through a premium 10-speaker Bose system and although there were equalizer and bass settings, my preference would be an added sub.
Cargo And Storage Space
Dropping my backpack into the frunk, Chevy’s addition of the new Power Hood Pull-Down was instantly evident. The previous year’s frunks took more than a little nudge to latch closed. The innovation on the C8 frunk frontier may be an under-appreciated amenity for those that aren't in the know; but having burnt untold time wiping, and polishing my hand prints off the center stripe of my own C8, when attempting to close it, the value is not lost on me - a minor, but total flex for the newest model year on the road.
Chevy whittled down the cargo space on the C8, compared to its Corvette predecessor, the C7. The current-generation two-seater offers 12.6 cubic-feet of storage space between the frunk and trunk combined. Although limited, it is a given that what a 'Vette lacks in storage it makes up for in so many ways, and the cargo space is beyond adequate for a seasoned Corvette driver who has acclimated to limitations. Notably, the Coupe's removable roof panel will squeeze into the rear trunk, as will a set of golf clubs and the soft luggage that is custom-made to fit the C8 trunk, and sold by Chevrolet. Drivers making a run to the gro-sto will probably want to opt to carry the frozen items in the frunk as the trunk's proximity to the motor has melted a pint of Ben & Jerry's or two on the way home.
Recommendation: Pull The Trigger On The 2024 C8
The naysayers will exclaim that limited space and sheer convenience are a reason to opt out of a Corvette, at least as a daily. The MSRP, or cost of maintenance may be another deterrent for a mid-engine as a regular-runaround; but in my opinion, if you’re worried about cost of maintenance, it probably isn’t your first choice of vehicle anyway, and with a C8 as my own grocery-getter, I must disagree. I find my eighth-gen Corvette, or any car that's fun to drive or has some added flavor, an extra reason to be excited to go to work or run errands. The gas mileage is satisfactory, the cost per horsepower is phenomenal in comparison to a true exotic, and without a doubt, the C8 will put the fun in anyone's run. So, with unshakable certainty, I am absolutely recommending all gas, no brakes to the Chevy dealership to get one.
In short, the mid-engine 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette, a luxury sports car affectionately referred to as America’s super car, has maintained the eighth-generation's exotic vibe, power-packed performance, and track-worthy handling that make it more car than anyone could possibly need on the road, yet its driver assist features and a milder MSRP put it on the shortlist as a coveted, rocket quick daily driver for those that can live life in a two-seater.
