Supercars offer a combination of exotic looks, luxury, and performance, all things that the current Chevrolet Corvette has in spades. But by definition, supercars also offer a level of exclusivity, like membership to an elite private club. So by that definition, is the Chevrolet Corvette a supercar? Yes. In fact, according to U.S. News & World Report, it’s the most affordable supercar on the road today.

U.S. News calls the Corvette an affordable supercar

According to U.S. News & World Report, the Chevrolet Corvette is the cheapest supercar you can buy. It definitely looks the part. No question it has the luxury and performance. As for exclusivity, well… that depends. After all, it is the most affordable supercar on the road today.   

The Chevrolet Corvette is a performance bargain

Chevrolet totally transformed the Corvette when it launched the mid-engine C8. Already a world-class sports car, performance entered supercar territory. The forever young small-block V8, now displacing 6.2 liters, cranks out 490 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Combined with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, the new Corvette catapults from 0 to 60 in under 3.0 seconds. 

And folks, that’s just the base model, which can be had for the low, low price of $64,995. It’s a true performance bargain and one of the most affordable supercars on the market. Not just because it’s the cheapest mid-engine sports car you can buy today, but because nothing in its price range comes close to its level of performance. In fact, the Porsche 718 Cayman is somewhat close, but is slower and costs almost $25,000 more. 

And if the base car is too tame for you? Chevrolet is bringing extra heat in 2023 with the Corvette Z06. Equipped with a 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 that puts out 670 naturally aspirated horsepower, the Z06 ranks among the world’s best performance cars. 

2023 Chevrolet Corvette pricing, specs, & features

The 2023 Corvette is an affordable sports car you can drive every day. It’s comfortable and gets decent gas mileage, making it suitable for commuting and the occasional road trip.   

According to Car and Driver, the base Corvette has the following specs:

Dimensions: 

• Wheelbase: 107.2 in
• Length: 182.3 in
• Width: 76.1 in
• Height: 48.6 in
• Weight: 3,647 lbs

Engine/Drivetrain Specs: 

• 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V-8
• Horsepower: 495 hp
• Torque: 470 lb-ft
• Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic 

Performance Specs: 

• 60 mph: 2.8 sec
• 1/4-Mile: 11.2 sec
• Fuel Economy: 19 – 26 mpg

Is the Chevrolet Corvette an affordable supercar? 

When it comes to supercars, most think of a car with out-of-this-world performance and a high level of exclusivity, all costing $100,000 or more. Using this yardstick, the base Corvette has all of the credentials except for the high price tag.  

However, the Z06 easily clears all of the hurdles, especially since people are willing to pay $100,000 over sticker price for one. Even then, it’s still a bargain compared to the McLaren 720S or Ferrari 296. In fact, it’s such a screaming bargain, the current Corvette is currently outselling the Camaro by over 6,000 units this year.     

Regardless of which Corvette you buy, you’re getting a true supercar. One with all of the looks and performance of cars costing twice as much. The base model may not have the exclusivity of a Ferrari or McLaren, but unlike those other cars, you’re getting a supercar at a bargain price that you can drive every day.