The Chevy Corvette has been one of the country’s most popular and top-selling luxury sports cars for decades. Not just boasting speed and performance, the Corvette has often been one of the easiest ways to get a great sports car without having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The latest 2021 Chevy Corvette is finally here, boasting fewer engine choices than in the past and a new mid-engine design. But with a high-performing, high-powered engine leading the pack and three trim levels to choose from, which is the best 2021 Corvette?

How much does the 2021 Chevy Corvette 1LT cost?

According to Chevrolet’s website, the base 2021 Corvette 1LT comes with a starting price (without fees and options) of $59,995. This price is for coupe body style Corvettes, though a convertible is available with a starting price of $67,495.

It is important to note, however, that coupes still allow for open-air driving, with removable roof panels. All three Corvette trim levels come standard with a 6.2-liter eight-cylinder engine making 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.

This engine comes standard with rear-wheel drive, an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, Brembo brakes, a Corvette suspension, and a limited-slip rear differential.

The new Corvette’s standard powertrain earns an estimated 15 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. Also offered as standard features on the base Corvette 1LT are LED headlamps, all-season performance tires, staggered 19- and 20-inch wheels, and a customizable 12-inch digital gauge cluster.

Standard advanced safety features for the Corvette 1LT include a rearview camera, buckle-to-drive (prevents a vehicle from moving without a buckled seat belt), rear parking sensors, and Teen Driver access (allows parents to set limits for secondary drivers).

The base Corvette 1LT also offers standard keyless entry, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power GT1 performance seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite/HD radio, two USB ports, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

What’s included with the middle-of-the-road Chevy Corvette 2LT?

The mid-lineup 2LT starts at $67,295 for coupe styles and $74,295 for convertible body styles. According to U.S. News, the 2LT trim adds a lot of convenience features like standard heated/ventilated seats, wireless device charging capabilities, an upgraded 14-speaker Bose stereo system, navigation, and a heated steering wheel.

Also included as standard with the middle-trim model is a head-up display, a “performance data recorder with a forward-facing camera,” and additional safety tech features like rear cross-traffic alert, an interior movement sensor, and blind-spot monitoring.

Is the top-of-the-line 3LT the best trim?

Starting prices for the high-end 3LT trim begin at $71,945 for coupe styles and $78,945 for convertibles. The 2021 Chevy Corvette 3LT replaces most of the interior accents and upholstery, in favor of the leather-wrapped interior package that adds leather trim to the upper instrument panel, door panels, and console cover.

The seating is also upgraded to standard GT2 performance bucket seats, made with Napa leather with perforated inserts and carbon-fiber trim.

While a few cool features are added throughout the trims, the basics are mostly the same and the majority of packages and options are the same across all trim levels.

Options and packaging include the Z51 performance package, which adds street-performance features, roof packages, a chrome package, and appearance packages.

But as Car and Driver experts point out, it might be best to choose the coupe body style of Corvette “since the coupe’s roof lifts off for open-top motoring anyway” and it might be worth it to”spend the money to upgrade to the 2LT version,” which adds a variety of great convenience, safety, technology, and performance features.