Acceleration

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
10	10	10	10	8.2

Chevy pegs Z06 at a scorching 3.7 sec 0-60 mph, credible based our test. No opportunity to time base model, but Chevy claims under 4.5 sec with either transmission--and they feel that fast. Manual gearbox has slick, crisp action, though some testers noted balkiness when shifting quickly. Robust automatic shifts with authority, though never feels harsh.

Fuel Economy

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	5	3	4.2

With manual transmission, test base coupe averaged an impressive 19.0 mpg, convertible 19.4. With automatic, test convertible averaged XXXXXTest Z06 averaged 15.2 mpg. Chevrolet recommends premium-grade fuel for base V8, requires it for Z06.

Ride Quality

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
2	2	3	3	4.3

Base suspension firm, but compliant for a sports car, though high-speed moguls induce minor float. Z51 setup uncomfortably stiff over even small bumps, doesn't fully eliminate unwanted body motions. Magnetic Selective Ride Control splits the difference. Its Touring mode provides remarkably good bump absorption, but with too much residual body movement; Sport setting too taut over broken surfaces. Z06 also stiff, but rarely harsh.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
10	10	10	10	8.5

Gymnast agile, with quick steering, tenacious smooth-road grip, little cornering lean, backstopped by traction/antiskid control. Z51 suspension trims body lean, sharpens responses, but can jitter car off intended path in fast, bumpy corners. Z06 needs careful throttle modulation in fast turns, else the rear end fishtails. Big, powerful brakes furnish short, stable stops.

Quietness

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
3	2	2	2	4.1

Voluminous V8 bellow except at lower rpm, where there's a marked burble. Constant, copious road rumble. Convertible subject to more ambient noise than coupe.

Controls

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	6	6	6.3

Clear gauges, mostly logical controls. Available head-up display useful, can be switched off. Navigation system controls, thus complicates, most audio functions, but responsive voice-recognition feature helps simplify things. Interior ambience sporty. Some grained padded surfaces mixed with dull, hard plastic pieces, especially in Z06. Removable roof panel in one test coupe rattled.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.7

Comfortable, enveloping seats. Adequate head, leg room. Cockpit wider than in most sports cars. Manual-tilt steering column available with power-telescope aids driver comfort, but requires pricey option package. Entry/exit is drop in/climb out; long doors don't help. Thick roof pillars hamper visibility to all corners, especially top-up in convertibles. Rear windows in base coupe and Z06 suffered annoying distortions.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
0	0	0	0	.7

(No rear seating.)

Cargo Room

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	2	2	6	2

Great for a sports car. Both body styles have sufficient space for two golf bags, but liftover is high, and coupes lack a partition between cargo hold and cabin. Cockpit storage minuscule.

Value within Class

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
9	9	10	9	4.5

The Best Buy Corvette is fast fun, with the 505-hp Z06 version among the fastest cars in the world. Avoid the harsh-riding Z51 suspension option, and all models are reasonably practical daily drivers that cost thousands less than rival sports cars with similar performance.

Total Score

Coupe w/Z51, man.	Conv w/Z51, man.	Conv w/nav. sys., Mag. susp., auto.	Z06 w/nav. sys.	Class Average
57	52	53	54	48.5

Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		48
High Score		58