hi-mpg.org Ratings for
2005-2006 Chevrolet Corvette
| Price: | $45,000-55,000
(in 2006) |
| Style: | 9 |
| Performance: | 10 |
| Luxury: | 8 |
| Utility: | 5 |
| Fun: | 10 |
| Value: | 3 |
| Overall: |
7.50 |
| | Ratings scale: 1-10; 10 = best |
What is this?, you ask. A 400-hp Chevrolet Corvette on our list of Hot Green Machines? It's true!
Being the 6th generation 'Vette and fondly referred to as the "C6", the 2005-2006 models technically miss hi-mpg.org's
30 mpg cutoff, achieving just 28 mpg per the EPA's highway mileage estimate. But hold on here. Here is
"America's sports car" which delivers a whopping 400 horsepower, 0-60 acceleration times in the low-4s,
and rivals -- if not trounces -- many supercars from Italy and Germany in terms of speed and performance.
However, whereas the Lamborghini Murcielago, for example, achieves only 15 mpg on the highway, the Corvette
actually gets superior highway gas mileage to a ho-hum, pedestrian Ford Taurus.
How did Chevrolet achieve this? First, it kept the 'Vette's weight down to a svelte 3100 lbs., far less
than the offerings from Ferrari or Lamborghini. Secondly, its hunkered-down low-profile body
encounters minimal wind resistance. Lastly, its tallish 6th gear keeps the torquey, decades-refined
pushrod V-8 (lubricated by ultra-slippery Mobil 1 synthetic oil) revving very low at cruising speeds.
In addition to the power rush, a 'Vette also has decent cargo capacity, being able to swallow a road bike
in its trunk (convertible models excluded). In other practical matters,
the C6 can be had (in 2006) for just $45,000-55,000 -- one
of the most expensive cars featured at hi-mpg.org, but a bargain compared to any exotic
car from any country. The 'Vette demonstrates that one can have her cake and eat it too.
An alternative to the almighty C6? Try the 2000-2004 C5 (5th generation Corvette), which offers
nearly similar performance, lower purchasing price (due to wonders of depreciation), and also 28 mpg on the highway!
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