2010 Chevrolet Corvette: Road Test
2010 Chevrolet Corvette ▼
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- MSRP: $48,930 - $106,880
- Invoice: $44,282 - $99,398
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Our road test for the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette includes a full evaluation of the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette help you decide if a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6.9 |
Base Corvettes are plenty quick by any measure, with strong power from a stop and during highway passing and merging. Z06 is more explosive still. Chevy pegs it at just 3.7 seconds 0-60 mph. Z06 not fast enough? Chevy says the ZR1 will do 0-60 in a scorching 3.4 seconds. Both the Z06 and ZR1 feel every bit as fast as these estimates. The manual transmission is generally smooth, but it sometimes has a heavy, notchy feel. The automatic shifts smoothly, but downshifts often require a deep stab of the throttle. Manual shifting via the steering-wheel paddles helps. For all its power, ZR1 is quite easy to drive, even in heavy traffic.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3.6 |
In Consumer Guide testing, a manual-transmission coupe averaged 17.4 mpg. A convertible with the automatic averaged 17.7 mpg. These figures come from a combination of city/highway driving and are impressive given Corvette's power. Other manual coupes averaged an excellent 20.0-21.9 mpg in mostly highway driving. Z06 Corvettes averaged 14.7-15.2 mpg. No opportunity yet to measure the ZR1, but its unique transmission gearing means fuel economy likely will be 1-2 mpg less than a Z06. Chevrolet recommends premium-grade gas for the base V8 and requires it for the Z06 and ZR1.
RIDE QUALITY
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 |
Base models with the standard suspension ride surprisingly well, with a solid blend of comfort and firm control. Convertibles have impressively little structural shake and body quiver. Grand Sports are almost brutally stiff on all but glass-smooth pavement. Z06 and ZR1 pretty much split the difference between base cars with the standard and Grand Sport suspensions. ZR1 has slightly better control over pavement cracks.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7.2 |
Quick steering, tenacious smooth-road grip, and little cornering lean make Corvette, and particularly the ZR1, among the world's best-handling cars. In fast turns, the Z06, more than the ZR1, requires careful use of the throttle, or the rear end will fishtail. Big, powerful brakes provide short, stable stops.
QUIETNESS
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3.6 |
Engines are always heard. Base and Z06 models emit a baritone rumble at low speeds and an exaggerated bellow at full throttle. The available "dual-mode" exhaust on base models gives a distinctly different tone in full-throttle acceleration. ZR1 sounds similar to other Corvettes at idle but produces a distinct roar under hard throttle, with just a touch of supercharger whine thrown in for good measure. All are muscle-car exhilarating. Road and tire noise are plentiful regardless of which model you choose, especially in the ZR1. In the convertible, wind noise is fairly modest, top up or down.
CONTROLS
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4.7 |
Clear gauges with mostly logical controls. Corvette's available head-up display shows vehicle and engine speeds. It can also be configured to show handling information, including lateral acceleration. The display can be switched off, but, on the whole, it is useful. The available navigation system absorbs, but doesn't complicate, audio functions. Its responsive voice-recognition feature further simplifies things.
DETAILS
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.1 |
The interior is a mix of grained plastic and nicely textured leather. The overall ambiance is more sporty than upscale. ZR1 has some unique interior trim, but, disappointingly, it's little different than base or Z06 models. All Corvettes have keyless entry and starting. One test Z06 sometimes didn't recognize the key fob was present, resulting in the car not being able to start. The fob would eventually be detected, so none of our testers ended up being stranded. Also, the transparent removable roof panel in one test coupe rattled intermittently.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.9 |
Headroom and legroom are adequate, and the seats are comfortable. The cockpit is wider than in most sports cars. A manual-tilt steering column is standard. A power-telescopic feature is available to aid driver comfort, but it requires a pricey option package. Entry and exit are drop in/climb out, and Corvette's long doors don't make things any easier. Thick roof pillars hamper visibility to all corners. Several test models had annoying distortions from the rear window.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .6 |
No rear seating.
CARGO ROOM
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2.1 |
Great for a sports car, especially in the coupe. Both body styles have sufficient space for two golf bags, but liftover is high, and coupes lack a partition between cargo hold and cabin. Note that the convertible has small storage cubbies located behind the rear seats. Cockpit storage is otherwise minuscule.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 4.7 |
The Best Buy Corvette is fast fun. These are reasonably practical sports cars that cost thousands less than rivals with similar performance, making them great choices. That also goes for the Z06 and ZR1 versions, which are among the fastest cars in the world. The ZR1's price premium over the Z06 seems quite stiff on its face. That's tempered by the fact that ZR1 offers performance on the level of other premium and exotic sports that cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars more.
Total Score
| Convertible, automatic | Grand Sport, manual | Z06 | ZR1 | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 57 | 56 | 57 | 47.9 |
Total Score: 57
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars
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