2021 Chevrolet Corvette — Carivo review 2021 model shown
Sports

2021 Chevrolet Corvette

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $87,995–$109,445
Fuel Economy 16 MPG
Seating 2 passengers
Category Sports
Est. Annual Fuel $3,281/yr
The 2021 Chevrolet Corvette scores 8.1/10 at Carivo, ranking #41 of 316 sportss, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $3,281/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2021 Chevrolet Corvette

Engine6.2L 8-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG15 / 27 MPG
Combined MPG19 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$3,900
CO₂ Emissions467 g/mi
Seating Capacity2 passengers
Body StyleSports
Base Price$87,995–$109,445

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette

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 →

How It Ranks Among Sportss

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 →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2021 Chevrolet Corvette

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$16,405 ($3,281/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries 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.

Which Corvette Year Should You Buy?

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.

YearScoreStarting 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 →

Pros & Cons — 2021 Chevrolet Corvette

✓ What it does well

  • Engaging driving dynamics with class-leading power and handling
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Fuel economy at 16 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
  • Premium price bracket — make sure the score justifies the outlay vs. segment alternatives

NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Chevrolet Corvette (2 on record)

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 / 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.

Own a 2021 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 →

Common Questions — 2021 Chevrolet Corvette

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

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).

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette worth buying?

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.

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette cost?

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.

Which Corvette years should you avoid?

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.

What problems does the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette have?

The documented issues for the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags, Power train (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.

Owner Essentials — Chevrolet Corvette

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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