When someone buys a Chevy Corvette, they do it because they love driving. And the 2020 Corvette definitely provides a driving experience that enthusiasts enjoy. Chevrolet’s success in building an affordable sports car earns huge points in and of itself.

Many expert reviewers praise the Corvette C8’s base value above all. For roughly $60,000, its 6.2-liter V8 delivers 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, merely 5 hp and 5 lb-ft less than if you were to purchase the optional Z51 performance package, according to Car and Driver. However, for every critic who lauds Chevrolet for its revolutionary Corvette design, another seems bent on finding flaws.

Most criticism concerning the 2020 Chevy Corvette targets its interior. And a recent MotorTrend review had a little fun with its description of some of those features.

A look at the 2020 Chevy Corvette

The 2020 Chevy Corvette C8 is such a game-changer that this American icon’s fans erupted into applause at its July 2019 reveal in Orange County, California. Of course, the fact that sports cars with mid-engine designs have always cost an arm and a leg, much of the crowd’s applause might’ve celebrated the $60,000 price tag rather than the engineering feats. Either way, Chevrolet has expressed it wants the Corvette to be a car that people feel comfortable driving daily rather than reserving for weekend joyrides.

Some observers have claimed the Corvette C8’s interior design is just as good if not better than its exterior styling. The biggest difference between the interiors on the base model (1LT) and top trim (3LT) happens on the dashboard, where there’s a notable absence of leather. Even then, the C8 offers plenty of standard equipment. Its dash still feels premium. You’ll find that every C8 trim level boasts contrast stitching throughout the cabin. And even without the leather dashboard, the 1LT still offers a good amount of the luxe material. Besides the wireless charger’s location, you won’t find much hard plastic. And while the 3LT comes with suede headliners, the 1LT’s standard fabric headliner is fairly decent.

However, a recent MotorTrend review hilariously nitpicks one part of the 2020 Corvette’s interior. The author compares some controls to tiny chewing-gum squares.

“Yes, it’s easy to look at the strip of Chiclet-sized HVAC control buttons separating the driver from the passenger and make fun,” writer Jonny Lieberman says. Then he quickly changes course. “But once you’re actually behind the C8’s funky steering wheel, you’ll realize that the controls you need as the driver are the easiest to get to, and you’ll thank the car gods that they’re physical buttons, not buried in a touchscreen.”

The Corvette C8 offers a driver-focused design

Chevrolet built the 2020 Corvette C8 to be a true sports car for those who love to drive. That’s why the cockpit’s HVAC controls and infotainment screen are positioned close to the driver. And like many sports cars, the 2020 model features a two-spoke steering wheel with a squared-off design and smaller diameter. Chevrolet chose this design because it’s easier to use than a traditional round steering wheel. And its leather and suede provide not only great style but also maximum grip.

Also, in its quest to be more than a weekend warrior, the 2020 Corvette comfortably seats occupants over 6 feet tall. For track junkies, that means you’ll be able to sport a helmet while racing your Vette. It also has two cup holders in case you make a pit stop for something to drink.

The Vette was forced to evolve

Why did Chevrolet find it necessary to make the 2020 Corvette C8 a mid-engine sports car? With the 2019 Corvette C7 ZR1, the company’s engineers knew the car’s classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive architecture had reached its performance limit. The 755-hp, 715 lb-ft of torque on the supercharged ZR1 allowed it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 2.85 seconds and reach a top speed of around 212 mph. But the $122,000 price tag was out of many drivers’ reach.

By adopting mid-engine architecture, the Global B digital vehicle platform, improved aerodynamics, and fewer weld points, the new Chevy Corvette C8 nearly achieves C7 ZR1 performance for half the price and less horsepower. From 0 to 60, it’s only 0.04 seconds slower than the ZR1 and 18 mph slower at top speed — don’t forget it’s using a normally aspirated V8 that harnesses 490 hp. That alone is so amazing that experts predict the 2020 Chevy Corvette will change the game from here on out.