Compare the2023 Chevrolet CorvetteVS 2023 Audi R8

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Corvette’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The R8 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Corvette’s optional Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The R8 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Corvette and the R8 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.

Warranty

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Corvette 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the R8. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the R8 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 10 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corvette’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among compact premium sporty cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The R8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 92 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

Engine

The Corvette has more powerful engines than the R8:

	Horsepower	Torque
Corvette 6.2 V8	490 HP	465 lbs.-ft.
Corvette Z51 6.2 V8	495 HP	470 lbs.-ft.
Corvette Z06 5.5 DOHC V8	670 HP	460 lbs.-ft.
R8 RWD Performance 5.2 DOHC V10	562 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
R8 Quattro/GT 5.2 DOHC V10	602 HP	413 lbs.-ft.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Corvette
	RWD	6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
		Z51 6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
R8
	RWD	5.2 DOHC V10	14 city/23 hwy
	AWD	5.2 DOHC V10	13 city/18 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette (except Z06)’s fuel efficiency. The R8 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Corvette higher (3 to 5 out of 10) than the Audi R8 (1). This means the Corvette produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the R8 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Chevrolet Corvette, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the R8.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Corvette Z06 CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the R8:

	Corvette Z06 CCB	R8	R8 CCB
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	14.4 inches	15 inches
Rear Rotors	15.4 inches	14 inches	14 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Corvette Z06’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R8 (F:275/30R20 & R:345/25R21 vs. F:245/30R20 & R:305/30R20).

The Corvette Z06’s 345/25R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 25 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R8’s 30 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corvette Z06 has standard 21-inch rear wheels. The R8’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Corvette has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The R8 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Corvette can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The R8 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Corvette offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The R8’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corvette’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the R8 (107.2 inches vs. 104.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Corvette is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the R8.

Chassis

The design of the Chevrolet Corvette amounts to more than styling. The Corvette has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is significantly lower than the R8 (.36). A more efficient exterior helps the Corvette go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Corvette get better fuel mileage.

The Corvette’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The R8 doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

The Corvette uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The R8 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Cargo Capacity

The Corvette Coupe has a much larger trunk than the R8 Coupe (12.6 vs. 4 cubic feet).

The Corvette Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the R8 Spyder (12.6 vs. 4 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The Corvette has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The R8 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the R8, the Corvette offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, suspension setting and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Corvette’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The R8 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Corvette’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The R8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Corvette offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, turn signal and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The R8 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Corvette has standard extendable sun visors. The R8 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Corvette’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The R8’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Corvette keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The R8 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Corvette’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The R8 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Corvette’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The R8 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $11280 to $16280 less than the R8 over a five-year period.

The Corvette will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Corvette will retain 59.95% to 61.21% of its original price after five years, while the R8 only retains 49.92% to 50.89%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Corvette will be $77358 to $115912 less than for the Audi R8.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Corvette, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette second among compact premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The R8 isn’t in the top three.

Motor Trend selected the Corvette as their 2020 Car of the Year. The R8 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2020 North American Car of the Year. The R8 has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Corvette outsold the Audi R8 by almost 110 to one during 2022.