Not every American sports car has survived into the modern era as well as others have, but the Corvette has, thankfully, emerged as a masterpiece of power and performance. Even though the modern automotive market can feel dominated by trucks and SUVs (and who can deny how great those are for big families and getting work done?) there are still some real performance vehicles out there. Among them, the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most gorgeous and has more to offer than just about anything else.
One of the things I like most about the modern Corvette is that Chevy has leaned into the different desires and demands of high-end car drivers. There are four different core models of the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette available, which offer something for anyone who wants a serious sports car. Some of these are definitely specialized high-performance vehicles that you won’t see in a school pickup line any time soon (or maybe you will, who knows?). So let’s take a good look at each one of these and see what they have to offer and just how much they’ll set you back.
The Corvette Stingray
True story: I first fell in love with the design of the Stingray as a little kid when I got a small toy version of it (probably Hot Wheels but it could’ve been Matchbox) for Christmas. That car rolled out of my stocking and straight into my heart. The swooping design on the front end was unlike anything I had ever seen before – I had no idea cars could look that cool. Fast forward to *mumble*decades later and I still love the shape and design of a Stingray, and the 2019 model does not disappoint.
The good news is that the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is basically the starter level of the Corvette. Of course, it’s still a high-performance sports car so you’re looking at a starting MSRP of more than $55,000 – but don’t act like you didn’t know the price tag was going to be high. What do you get for that? A lot.
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray starts off as a coupe, though there is a convertible option if you want to drop some more bucks on it. You get a 6.2L V8 engine that gives you 455hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. It can go from 0 – 60 in 3.7 seconds when properly equipped and has a 7-speed manual, with available 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. There are three different trim levels available, which can each also come with a “ZR1 Performance Package” that improves upon the performance of the baseline Stingray.
Some of the options available at these different trim levels include an 8-inch color Infotainment display with Navigation and voice-activation, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and a data and video recorder. It has GT bucket seats available, leather details throughout the interior, and steering wheel controls. There is even a Head-up display option that projects vehicle information onto the windshield.
The Corvette Grand Sport
If you want to take things a step further, then there is the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport available, which improves upon the Stingray in a few key ways and has a starting MSRP $10,000 higher than the Stingray. One thing I should note right off the bat: it still looks amazing. Don’t worry, no one is going to see the Grand Sport and think it’s anything but a Corvette.
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is also available as either a coupe or convertible and comes with a 6.2L V8 engine that gives you 460hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. Yes, that’s slightly more powerful than the engine in the Stingray and it can go from 0 – 60 in 0.1 second faster than the Stingray when properly equipped. If you have a friend with a Stingray who won’t stop talking about the power of its engine, then here is your way to shut him up.
There are three trim levels available for the Grand Sport, which include things like an available 8-inch color Infotainment system with Navigation, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, and a performance data and video recorder. At the highest trim level you get leather details and trim throughout the interior and perforated Napa leather seating surfaces on the GT bucket seats. There’s a driver information center you can personalize, a Head-up display, and great safety features including a curb view camera and performance traction management.
The Corvette Z06
Now we’re getting serious with our sports cars as the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was designed as “an expression of pure performance.” Those are their words, but I can’t argue because this beauty was definitely developed to take the Corvette a step beyond just about everything else out there. It’s gorgeous and expensive, starting at just over $80,900 MSRP, and guaranteed to turn heads.
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 comes with a 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine that offers up to 650hp and 650 lb.-ft. of torque. With the performance package it can go from 0 – 60 in less than 3 seconds, significantly faster than the Stingray or the Grand Sport. It is an absolute dream with a ton of power guaranteed to put you way back in your seat when you open it up (legally, of course, don’t treat your neighborhood like a race track).
Just like the Stingray and Grand Sport, the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has three available trim levels that improve its features available and included. In general, these are similar to what you’ll find in the other Corvettes and include things like an available 10-speaker Bose audio system, an 8-inch color touchscreen Infotainment system with available Navigation, and leather details throughout the interior. The higher the trim level, the more features become included rather than available; but, of course, the price tag also goes up.
The Corvette ZR1
Chevy refers to the ZR1 as a “supercar” and I would have to agree. This thing is so far beyond pretty much anything else out there that comparing it is just unfair. Seriously, this is an elite piece of machinery that starts at more than double the MSRP of the Stingray and can quickly go up beyond that, but it is a dominant beast on the road.
The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is available as a coupe or convertible and includes a 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine that provides up to 755hp and 715 lb.-ft. of torque. No seriously, that’s not a typo – 755hp and 715 lb.-ft. of torque in a sports car! It can go from 0 – 60 in 2.85 seconds with a top speed of 212 MPH and it looks absolutely amazing while it’s doing it.
There are only two trim levels for the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 available, because why waste time with a middle option? What does the ultimate trim level get you? A custom leather-wrapped and color-keyed interior, 10-speaker Bose audio system, and Napa leather seating. It is truly stunning both inside and out for an experience unlike anything you will find elsewhere.
Final Analysis
If you made it this far and you’re not already out taking a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette for a test drive, then well done and thank you. At the end of the day, it’s pretty simple: the Corvette is everything you would expect from a modern sports car and includes tremendous performance with gorgeous luxury features. It ain’t cheap, as they say, but you get a lot for your money especially in terms of power and speed off the proverbial line.
If you want a sports car that makes an impression, has great features inside and out, and handles beautifully, then you owe it to yourself to check out the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette, be it Stingray or ZR1, and find out what you’ve been missing.
