Are the new Corvettes reliable? Consumer Reports has this to say about them

The latest Corvette, introduced for the 2020 model year, shocked the automotive community with its deviation into supercar territory, boasting a brand-new mid-engine design and a more aggressive performance-oriented image. The car line’s previous robust, if simple, front-engine rear-drive configuration was one that the brand had enjoyed since its inception in 1953, so this marked a seismic shift. And when the new Corvette first debuted in the journals, it was hailed as a car that exceeded (very high) expectations.

However, it’s easier to enjoy the C8 Corvette when it’s actually on the road, so what about its reliability? Believe it or not, this car is actually performing quite well, with reports suggesting it may be more reliable than a perennial like the Toyota Camry, to say nothing of sports cars like the Nissan 400Z. The actual methodology behind Consumer Reports’ ranking system is proprietary, so we won’t dive into it too much. Suffice it to say, if your car’s reliability exceeds the Camry’s, it’s doing well.

The engine had various teething problems and a couple of recalls, which we’ll discuss, but as a general package, including electronics, running gear, and quality control, the C8 Corvette sits either solidly average or above-average. And it’s not particularly surprising, given that GM also counts 2025’s Most Trusted Car Brand under its belt, as rated by Consumer Reports. It may not be Hilux level of reliable, but it’s good enough to keep the tow truck away.

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Here’s what they say about the C8 Corvette

Overall, the 2021-2025 model years that Consumer Reports covered with its reliability ratings showed us several key points. The latest model received glowing praise, consistently topping the rating scale for two-seater sports cars, reliability included. However, the 2023 model suffered some climate control issues, and the car also saw two recalls.

Neither recall was critical to the Corvette’s general reliability; The first is very scary, though. That was the cause of a fuel leak problem, causing excessive spillage and leakage during refueling. Thankfully, GM already developed a fix for this before igniting anything. A second recall saw C8 Corvettes sent back due to a mechanical malfunction that caused the seat belts to lock when stowed.

Outside of those problem areas, which have either been or are currently being addressed, the C8 Corvette has averaged excellent reliability. There have been no mechanical problems or recalls about the engine and powertrain or running gear like suspension and brakes, and there have been minimal faults with the infotainment and electronic suites – though what car doesn’t have these issues. This is made all the more impressive by the fact that this is a complex, mid-engined supercar, a vehicle class almost synonymous with unreliability. The Corvette seems to defy expectations, with only minor bugs such as dead batteries, ECU bugs, accessory malfunctions, and other electronic gremlins present.

History of reliability

This car’s reliability ranking is perhaps not too surprising, given Chevrolet’s penchant for overbuilding Corvettes. Take the infamous LS block, for example, an engine that can handle ungodly horsepower if you upgrade it properly. Likewise, the LT2 engine is a marvel in itself, deviating significantly from GM’s usual pushrod V8 design without sacrificing reliability, at least according to Consumer Reports which has had no major engine issues.

The rest of the car also continues the tradition of reliability set by its predecessor. The old-school front-engine C7 Corvette also surpassed the Camry in reliability scores, including suspension and running gear, electronics, and so on. However, that stopped in later model years, when various issues dropped reliability across the board. These included major fixes such as engine accessories, transmission and/or clutch problems, electrical gremlins, fading paint, and general fit and finish.

There seems to be a sweet spot here for Corvettes. If you’re looking for something with a warranty, at least in terms of reliability, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2020-2025 Corvette; It has been fairly consistent across the board. And it’s doubly impressive when you consider that it’s effectively a supercar that exhibits economy car levels of reliability. But if you are looking for an older model, be aware that there is a point when problems suddenly appear out of nowhere.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.