Compare the2023 Audi R8VS 2023 Chevrolet Corvette

The Audi R8 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Corvette doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The R8 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Corvette doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The R8 Quattro/GT offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Corvette doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The R8 has standard Parking System Plus to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Corvette doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the R8 and the Corvette have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The R8 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Corvette’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The R8’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Corvette’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the R8 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Corvette.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 14 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

The R8 has more powerful engines than the Corvette:

On the EPA test cycle the R8 gets better mileage than the Corvette:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the R8’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Corvette doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The R8 Spyder’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corvette (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons).

All wheel drive, available in the R8, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Chevrolet Corvette is not available with all wheel drive.

For better stopping power the R8’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Corvette:

The R8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corvette’s standard 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the R8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch front wheels are standard on the Corvette.

The R8 is 7.9 inches shorter than the Corvette, making the R8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The R8 is 11.5 inches shorter than the Corvette Z06 Z07.

The R8 has .6 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more front shoulder room than the Corvette.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

If the windows are left open on the R8 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Corvette can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The R8’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Corvette’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Laser headlights, standard on the R8 Quattro, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Corvette’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the R8 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Corvette doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the R8 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Corvette doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi R8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Corvette.