2005 Chevrolet Corvette: Road Test
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2005 Chevrolet Corvette ▼
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- MSRP: $43,710 -$51,445
- Invoice: $38,246 -$45,014
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Our road test for the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette help you decide if a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8.1 |
Blistering. Feels every bit as fast as Chevy's sub 4.5 sec 0-60-mph claim with either transmission. Manual transmission gear changes are slick, crisp. Automatic upshifts smoothly, kicks down quickly to deliver vigorous passing power.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.4 |
Impressive for the class. Manual-transmission coupe averaged 19.0 mpg in mix of city/highway driving, manual-transmission convertible 19.4. Automatic coupe averaged 16.5. Chevrolet recommends premium-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Firm always, though base suspension compliant for a sports car. It's relatively absorbent, but allows trace of float on high-speed moguls. UItrafirm Z51 setup uncomfortably stiff over even small bumps and ridges, and doesn't fully eliminate unwanted body motions on dips and swells. Magnetic Selective Ride Control splits the difference: remarkably good bump absorption in Touring mode but with too much residual body movement; and too taut over broken surfaces in Sport mode.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8.6 |
Sharp steering, tenacious smooth-surface grip, poised in any change of direction. Control abetted by antiskid/traction-control system. Z51 suspension has the least body lean and sharpest high-speed moves, but can jitter off intended path in fast, bumpy corners. Short, stable stops.
QUIETNESS
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3.9 |
Voluminous V8 bellow during acceleration, noticeable burble at cruise. Copious road rumble always. Convertibles subject to more ambient noise.
CONTROLS
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6.2 |
Clear gauges. Optional head-up display projects variety of useful information; can be switched off for those who find it distracting. Logical control layout, but navigation system absorbs most audio controls, complicating their use. Easy shortcut is the responsive voice-recognition feature for programming navigation, related audio. Keyless ignition a mixed blessing; freedom from having keyfob at hand is offset by reality that car will remain running even without fob nearby. Nicely grained, padded interior panels outnumber hard plastic surfaces for a sporty, upscale ambience. Removable roof panel rattled, chafed in one test coupe.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.6 |
Comfortable, enveloping seats. Adequate head, leg room. Cockpit wider than most sports cars'. Available power-telescope steering wheel a boon to driver positioning, but available only in pricey 1SB option. Entry/exit is drop in/climb out, and long doors a parking lot irritant. Thick roof pillars hurt visibility to all corners, especially top-up in convertibles. Test coupe's rear window suffered annoying distortions.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .4 |
(No rear seating.)
CARGO ROOM
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Great for a sports car. Both body styles have sufficient space for two golf bags, but liftover is high and there's no partition between hatchback's cargo hold and cabin. Cockpit storage minuscule.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 4.6 |
Corvette delivers thrilling acceleration, handling, and braking. Avoid the Z51 suspension and this 2-seater is relatively comfortable in everyday driving. And it costs thousands less than rivals with similar performance. If you like your sports cars bold and brawny, there's no better high-performance value and no stronger Best Buy in this class.
Total Score
| Coupe, auto. | Coupe w/Z51, man. | Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., man. | Conv w/Z51, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 57 | 53 | 52 | 47.8 |
Total Score: 55
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars
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