Skip advert
Advertisement

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray UK review

Can the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray finally give Europe’s finest a run for their money in the UK?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Chevrolet Corvette
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Many will run a mile from the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray’s busy styling and brash image, but there are layers to its personality you only discover at the wheel. It feels big on UK roads, but it’s just as good on a commute as it is on B-roads, and the quad-exhaust sound is simply unforgettable. Give it a chance before ordering a BMW M4 – you just might be surprised.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is as American as gridiron football, which is why its appeal has never really translated over here.

• Chevrolet Corvette news and reviews

The all-new C7 Stingray model is as brash as its predecessors, but thanks to improved materials and tech, it finally has a fighting chance to compete with Europe’s best sports cars. We drove the first example to arrive in the UK.

It’s important to have a sense of perspective with this car. At £61,495, it’s undeniably pricey, but that’s still £177,857 cheaper than the Ferrari F12. And while the thoroughbred Italian supercar has four extra cylinders and a good deal more horsepower, the Corvette isn’t far behind whenit comes to automotive theatre.

The styling isn’t for the faint-hearted – every surface is carved up by creases or punctured with vents, while the swooping dash envelops the driver and gives passengers something to grab. Material quality doesn’t match an Audi or Ferrari and the moulding around the tail-lights wobbles when pushed, but the Chevy no longer feels excessively low-rent.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Duster

2018 Dacia

Duster

52,139 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £7,500
View Duster
MG 5 EV

2021 MG

MG 5 EV

37,681 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £12,150
View MG 5 EV
Polo

2025 Volkswagen

Polo

35,677 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £16,300
View Polo
1 Series

2021 BMW

1 Series

31,363 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £20,600
View 1 Series

There are some clever interior touches, too, such as a central screen that retracts down into the dash (revealing a secret compartment with a USB port behind it) and a boot that’s big enough for two sets of golf clubs.

Fire up the reworked 6.2-litre V8 engine and there’s no flare of revs – it quickly settles down to a lumpy idle. Toggle through the driving modes – from Eco to Weather, Tour and Sport – and baffles in the exhaust open up, adding a bassy rumble.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Rev it and the cartoonish, trumpet-like exhausts roar into life. Audi and Mercedes build some great-sounding high-performance engines, but there’s still nothing like the gritty sound of an American V8.

European Corvettes are only available with a seven-speed manual gearbox, but that’s no bad thing. With a bit of effort, it slots neatly around the closely stacked lower ratios, while an absurdly long seventh gear lets you waft along doing 70mph at 1,500rpm. Like the Nissan 370Z, there’s a rev-matching mode that automatically blips the throttle for you on downshifts – although heel-and-toeing is so satisfying in this car that we’d avoid it.

There’s plenty of noise from those wide tyres, but switch the adaptive dampers to their softest setting and the Corvette cruises beautifully. Rachet them up into Sport or Track modes (which also tweak the throttle, suspension, electric steering, exhaust and differential), and the car still has a wicked turn of pace. There are two traction-control settings (on and off) and if you feel brave, the Corvette’s party piece is lurid, yet easily controllable, tail slides.

The steering is nicely judged – quite different to the hyperactive system in the Ferrari F12 – but we’d prefer a little more weight as the speed builds. UK cars get the Z51 performance package as standard; this adds larger brakes with plenty of feel that scrub off your speed with ease.

Our only issue is the unsubtle image – yet isn’t that what these cars are all about? If you can get your head around that, then the new Stingray is well worth a look.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £37,230Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £15,416
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,591
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,362 off RRP*Used from £11,990
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Skoda Octavia vRS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!

A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July
News
6 Jul 2025