2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray review

This ‘unapologetically American’ supercar could become a regular sight on Aussie roads due to its ‘bargain’ sticker price.

I never thought I’d be a Chevrolet girl. Sure, I’ve always had a soft spot for big roaring V8s but I’ve always leaned towards more European masterpieces.

Then, a few weeks ago I drove the Chevrolet Silverado – a towering 6.2-litre beast of a truck that felt like it could bulldoze anyone in its path.

It was ridiculous, over-the-top and unapologetically American. And I loved it.

Then came the Corvette C8. From the moment I laid eyes on it, I knew this was going to be something special. It’s a car that just looks fast, the wide stance, the aggressive lines, it’s a car designed to turn heads.

I’ll be honest, I was slightly concerned about driving this and I think my boss was, too.

And I get it. It’s loud, fast and could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

But in the right hands? It’s magic.

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The 2024 Corvette Stingray

Behind the seats sits a 6.2-litre V8, essentially the same engine as the Silverado, but reworked to send 369kW and 637Nm to the rear wheels via an 8 speed-dual clutch transmission capable of launching the car from 0-100km/h in just 2.9 seconds.

From the moment you hit the accelerator, the speed is instantaneous, the sound of the exhaust is addictive.

As I glided along the Mornington Peninsula coast with the roof off, the world seemed to fade away. Missed a phone call? Didn’t grab the groceries?

NOTHING MATTERS EXCEPT THAT V8

No worries. Nothing mattered except the sound of that V8 and the rush of air. One drive was all it took – I was hooked.

Suddenly, my partner and I found ourselves having a completely nonsensical conversation: Do we need a sports car?

Logically, there’s no way we could afford to drop six figures on a sports car. We can only dream. But if we were to dream, it would be of this car.

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Designed to turn heads/

The Corvette isn’t just fast, it’s versatile. Thanks to multiple drive modes, it can be as relaxed or aggressive as you want it to be.

I found myself using Tour mode the most, but the more aggressive Sport, Track and Z modes are also a lot of fun.

One of the biggest selling points in comparison to European rivals is how much kit comes standard that brands such as Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini will charge you tens of thousands as optional extras options.

Standard features include a Bose performance audio system, heated and ventilated seats, a heads-up display, front lift system, augmented rearview mirror and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android.

Practicality isn’t a word I’d use in a sentence when talking about supercars, they’re low, visibility is tricky, often not that spacious.

Plenty of kit comes standard.

But the Corvette? It breaks that mould. For starters, it’s incredibly spacious. The mid engine layout means you not only have a deep frunk but also a rear boot that can actually fit a set of gold clubs (yes we tried). There’s proper legroom, comfortable deep seats, and even cupholders.

TECH THAT’S ALSO PRACTICAL

Then there’s the technology, the Corvette provides all the modern features you need, like an augmented rearview mirror which makes visibility even better. The centre console is lined with buttons, which at a first glance may feel overwhelming but every button serves a practical purpose.

I like that you have the main buttons at your finger tips, no need to go fumbling through the main screen to adjust airconditioning.

The curved digital display in front of the driver is another highlight. It’s clean, intuitive and provides all the information you need.

It’s not all perfect, the biggest downside – it’s thirsty. But if you’re buying a V8 supercar, fuel economy probably isn’t your biggest concern.

The Corvette might be a performance car but Chevrolet hasn’t forgotten about safety, the Corvette C8 comes packed with a suite for safety features.

At $175,000 plus on-road costs, the Corvette isn’t cheap but when you consider what a Ferrari or Lamborghini with similar performance will set you back, it starts to look like a bargain.

I’m officially a Chevy fan and if you’re looking for something that combines supercar performance with good old-fashioned American muscle, this is it. Now, excuse me while I go back to dreaming about one appearing in my driveway.

V8 vibes. Photo Source: Supplied

Verdict

The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is everything a modern performance car should be – exciting, engaging, and unapologetically a supercar. It’s fast, loud, and looks the part.

4 stars

Chevrolet C8 Corvette Stingray

PRICE From $182,000 plus on-road costs

ENGINE 6.2-litre V8, 369kW and 637Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICE 3-year/100,00km, no capped price servicing

SAFETY 6 airbags, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert

THIRST 12.1L/100km

CARGO 357 litres

SPARE None (run flat tyres)

Originally published as 2025 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray review