2022 Jaguar F-Type vs. Chevrolet C8 Corvette: Battle of the V8s
2022 Jaguar F-Type vs. 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette comparison highlights:
- The 2022 Jaguar F-Type and 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette are some of the last V8-powered sports cars on the market
- While the F-Type has the advantage of a supercharged V8 as well as more standard luxury features, the Corvette is a faster, comfier, more satisfying-to-drive sports car
- Although the higher Corvette trims are more expensive than a base 2022 Jaguar F-Type, the F-Type R is far pricier than the Corvette
Even in the face of electrification and soaring gas prices, V8-powered sports cars haven’t gone extinct quite yet. And when it comes to the 2022 Jaguar F-Type, the V8 isn’t just alive, it’s taking over. This year, Jaguar’s cheapest coupe (and convertible) ditched all other engines. But the F-Type isn’t the only one signing this powerplant’s praises. It’s getting EV and hybrid trims soon, but for 2022, the Chevrolet C8 Corvette is V8-only, too. So, between these eight-cylinder sports cars, which comes out on top?
Is the 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette as fast as the all-supercharged 2022 Jaguar F-Type?
2022 Jaguar F-Type | 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette | |
Engine | 5.0-liter supercharged V8 | 6.2-liter LT2 V8 |
Horsepower | P450: 444 hp R: 575 hp | 490 hp (standard) 495 hp (Z51 Performance Package) |
Torque | P450: 428 lb-ft R: 516 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft (standard) 470 lb-ft (Z51 Performance Package) |
Transmission | Eight-speed automatic | Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Curb weight | P450 Coupe: 3760 lbs (RWD), 3920 lbs (AWD) R Coupe: 3920 lbs P450 Convertible: 3785 lbs (RWD), 3945 lbs (AWD) R Convertible: 3945 lbs | Coupe: 3366 lbs (dry) Convertible: 3467 lbs (dry) |
0-60 mph time | P450: 4.4 seconds R: 3.5 seconds | 2.9 seconds |
You heard right, for 2022, the Jaguar F-Type is only available with a V8—and a supercharged V8 at that. Sports car purists will likely gravitate to the ‘entry-level’ RWD P450. But if you need all the speed, the AWD F-Type R is the place to be. Both F-Types, though, feature a similarly burbly, crackly soundtrack.
However, even with AWD, the 2022 Jaguar F-Type R is slower than the 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette. Sure, it’s not supercharged, but even with fluids, the 2022 Corvette weighs less than the F-Type. Also, the C8’s mid-engine layout’s weight distribution gives it a launch advantage. And not just in 0-60 tests, either. In Car and Driver’s hands, the F-Type R Coupe needed 0.5 more seconds to run the ¼-mile than the Corvette. Though credit to the Jag, it was traveling just 1 mph slower.
Still, to paraphrase The Fast and the Furious, a win’s a win. The 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette is the faster V8 sports car.
Which is the sharper sports car?
While earlier Jaguar F-Type models were capable sports cars, they were also a bit too rowdy and stiff for some. That changed a bit in 2021 when Jaguar overhauled the suspension with new shocks, springs, anti-roll bars, and rear knuckles. Although that didn’t entirely calm the somewhat-twitchy steering, it did improve the ride and steering feel, Car and Driver reports.
However, while the 2022 Jaguar F-Type is better than before, it still has some flaws. For one, though the steering is communicative, it’s not as precise as, say, a 911’s steering. In addition, speaking of the 911, though the F-Type R grips the road hard, the 911 is grippier still, Car and Driver says. Also, while the Jag’s brakes are strong, they’re a bit too squishy for “a top-tier performance [car],” The Drive reports. Basically, the F-Type’s exhaust writes checks the rest of the car can’t quite cash.
That’s not to say the 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette is perfect. It could use a touch more steering feel, The Drive muses, and at the limit, it tends towards understeer. Also, in our 2022 Corvette review, we found the C8 felt a bit wide around town.
But even so, the C8 Corvette is a more compelling sports car than the F-Type. That sense of wideness? It disappears once you show this car some corners. With sharp steering, solid dynamics, strong brakes, and plenty of grip, the 2022 Corvette doesn’t need a supercharged exhaust note to be thrilling. Plus, it stops shorter and has higher grip levels than the F-Type, Car and Driver reports. And with available magnetorheological dampers, you get great handing without a comfort penalty.
2022 Jaguar F-Type Convertible vs. 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Convertible: which does drop-top luxury better?
Technically, you don’t need to get the 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Convertible to enjoy some open-air motoring. The Coupe has a removable top and onboard storage space for the panels. However, the panels take up almost all the rear trunk space. So, if you want to drop the top regularly, the Convertible is the way to go.
Speaking of practicality, the 2022 Jaguar F-Type Convertible is a mixed bag compared to the C8. On one hand, the Jag has the same amount of legroom as the Corvette. Also, in Coupe form, the F-Type has more storage space. However, the C8 Corvette Convertible has more total cargo space than the F-Type Convertible. Furthermore, although these sports cars have equal legroom, the Corvette’s interior is more spacious overall.
The 2022 Jaguar F-Type does claw back some points when it comes to luxury features, though. It has a bigger center touchscreen, for example, as well as a slightly larger digital gauge cluster. In addition, it has more standard advanced driver-assistance safety features. And covering the Corvette’s interior with as much leather as Jaguar offers requires stepping up to the 3LT trim. But even then, the Jag’s material quality is one step higher.
Yet the 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette Convertible has some advantages. Firstly, its seats are comfier. Also, even the 2LT has more speakers than the Jaguar’s optional Meridian sound system. Plus, Jag has no answer to those trick magnetic shocks. And then there’s the question of price.
Is the 2022 Jaguar F-Type’s higher price worth it?
A base 2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 RWD starts at $71,300 before destination. The 2022 F-Type R, though, starts at $105,300. And a fully-loaded F-Type R Coupe stickers at roughly $140,000; the Convertible would be closer to $145,000.
Meanwhile, a 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette 1LT starts at $62,195 and the 3LT starts at $74,145; the Convertible costs $7000 extra. But excluding the limited-edition Championship C8.R package, a fully-loaded Corvette Convertible 3LT costs less than $100,000. So, you get more speed for less money.
So, what does this mean for our V8-powered sports car fight? Well, the 2022 F-Type certainly sounds charismatic, and it does offer the security of AWD. And it does justify its higher price tag somewhat with some higher-end standard features. However, if performance is the outright goal, the Corvette is arguably the better—and cheaper—choice.
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