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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 6.2L 8-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 15 / 27 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,300 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 467 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 2 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $87,995–$109,445 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette at 8.1/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sports. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.4/10, while Value at 7.2/10 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. We score reliability at 7.4/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 9.4/10. The Chevrolet Corvette delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 8.4/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $87,995–$109,445, 16 MPG, seating 2, the Chevrolet Corvette sits in the luxury tier of the sports market. The 7.2/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette is a solid, well-rounded sports that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2021 Chevrolet Corvette ranks #41 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 87% of the segment. Its 8.1/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $87,995 starting price is about 91% above the segment's median of $46,090.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette scores 8.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 8.1 — and starts roughly $32,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 8.1/10 | $87,995 | |
| 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 | 8.0/10 | $54,400 | Read review → |
| 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 by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Srs malfunction warning lamp/light 10/06/2021 · 21V421000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of… |
|---|---|
| Power train / Driveline / Driveshaft 17/02/2022 · 22V091000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The rear half-shaft assemblies may be missing one or more ball bearings, which can result in a loss of drive power. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette's reliability 7.4/10 — 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 8.1/10 overall, ranking #41 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 87% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette starts at $87,995 and ranges up to $109,445 across trims (MSRP when new). At 16 MPG, expect roughly $3,281/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.