2016 Chevrolet Corvette
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 6.2L 8-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 13 / 23 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,650 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 539 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 2 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $54,400–$78,000 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Chevrolet Corvette is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 8.0/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.2/10, while Value at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety is a notable gap at 6.9/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
Few rivals match it for performance: 9.2/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.2/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $54,400–$78,000, 18 MPG, seating 2, the Chevrolet Corvette sits in the premium tier of the sports category. The value score of 6.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on safety and value if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sports should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Chevrolet Corvette ranks #68 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 79% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $54,400 starting price is about 18% above the segment's median of $46,090.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$14,585 ($2,917/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Recall repairs | $0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers |
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Across the Corvette model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.3/10 | $112,445 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.3/10 | $112,445 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.3/10 | $109,445 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.2/10 | $106,695 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.2/10 | $91,845 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.1/10 | $87,995 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.0/10 | $84,445 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $56,900 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.1/10 | $56,000 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 8.0/10 | $55,400 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 8.0/10 | $54,400 | |
| 2015 | 7.9/10 | $52,100 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
| Air bags / Frontal 08/09/2016 · 16V651000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal 10/07/2017 · 17V437000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
We rate the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 8.0/10 overall, ranking #68 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 79% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Chevrolet Corvette starts at $54,400 and ranges up to $78,000 across trims (MSRP when new). At 18 MPG, expect roughly $2,917/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
No standout weak years: across the 12 Corvette model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (8.3/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
The documented issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
Once a month: which brands moved up or down our reliability rankings, new recalls worth knowing, and the smartest-money model years. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Other sportss at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.