Since its introduction, the Chevrolet Corvette has been in almost continual production at General Motors, making it one of the longest-running automotive marques still available (it predates the Porsche 911 by a decade). And for most of that time, the Corvette has retained the same basic sport-oriented shape and style—although exterior, interior, and performance upgrades have pushed it solidly into the 21st century, where it continues to treat the world's highways like its own personal playground.

Generations: Eight

• Chevrolet Corvette 1st Generation
• Chevrolet Corvette 2nd Generation
• Chevrolet Corvette 3rd Generation
• Chevrolet Corvette 4th Generation
• Chevrolet Corvette 5th Generation
• Chevrolet Corvette 6th Generation
• Chevrolet Corvette 7th Generation
• Chevrolet Corvette 8th Generation

Pros: Relatively affordable, thrilling performance, comfortable ride
Cons: Low-rent interior, plastic body panels, questionable build quality

Chevrolet Corvette Eighth Generation (2020-present)

The C8 Corvette landed in 2020, and with it, everything changed. The new Corvette is the first to get a mid-engined layout, and arguably the first iteration of this legendary American sports car that that could be called a true supercar. The mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 is good for zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 194 mph in the ‘base’ model. Add the Z51 Performance Package, and output climbs from 490 to 495 hp and 465 to 470 lb-ft of torque. The Z51 Performance Package also adds an electronic limited-slip differential, performance suspension turning, and upgraded brakes among its various upgrades. The C8 Corvette is only available with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and it’s a fantastic system.

Technology and infotainment also took a big leap forward with this new Corvette. The dials are a fully digital setup, while 2LT and 3LT trims also come with a head-up display that changes according to the car’s driving mode. The 8-inch infotainment touchscreen system includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as GM’s OnStar connected services. It’s an easy system to use while driving, and it responds well to voice control, too. A Performance Data Recorder, meanwhile, uses a front-mounted camera to record your driving, and it will overlay key performance data for circuit driving.

Chevrolet Corvette Seventh Generation (2014-2019)

The C7 Corvette was produced from 2014 to 2019, which is a rather limited model-year run for a Corvette. It offered a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 in the base model and supercharged 6.2-liter V8s in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1 variants. Power is routed to the rear wheels through either a sophisticated seven-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission. The automatic in 2014 had six speeds, whereas all other model years got an eight-speed auto.

The C7 had a far more sophisticated and mature interior than its predecessors did. In 2015, a Wi-Fi hotspot was introduced as standard equipment, and Apple CarPlay became standard in 2016. HD Radio was introduced in 2018.

The C7 was the last of the front-engined Corvettes, as the C8 that followed moved to a mid-engine layout. This yields better performance and a more exotic appearance, but the Corvette lost the manual transmission in the process. As a result, it’s likely that some manual-equipped C7s will become sought-after, especially in limited-run special editions such as the Corvette Grand Sport.

Chevrolet Corvette Sixth Generation (2005-2013)

The sixth-generation Corvette–also known as the C6 Corvette–appeared in 2005, and it really brought the ‘Vette into the 21st century. Chevy smoothed out some of the previous generation's exterior curves, reworked the front end, added exposed headlights, and designed an all-new suspension with optional Magnetic Ride Control and an optional Z51 package with a retuned performance-oriented suspension. Power came from a new 400-hp, 6.0-liter LS2 V8, which pushed the sports car from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. By creating a more aerodynamic shape and fine-tuning the power plant, the sixth-generation Corvette managed to deliver fuel economy numbers of 16 mpg city and 26 highway.

A new Z06 arrived in 2006, with a 505-hp, 7.0-liter LS7 V8, and Chevy gave the Corvette a minor update in 2008, with a new 430-hp, 6.2-liter base V8. With a six-speed manual transmission, the zero-to-60 time was reduced to 4.0 seconds. In 2008, the Corvette ZR1 arrived in showrooms, equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing 638 hp. The ZR1 included a full-leather interior and pushed MSRP for America's sports car somewhere north of $100k. Many considered the price worth it, though, as the ZR1 had a top speed of 205 mph and held the distinction of being GM's most powerful sports car.

Chevrolet Corvette Fifth Generation (1997-2004)

Exterior styling for the fifth-generation Corvette (C5), which debuted in 1997, was evolutionary rather than revolutionary. While the 'Vette's basic profile remained largely unchanged, with its long hood, hidden headlights, low cabin, fastback-style rear window, and short, rounded tail, the body displayed more pronounced curves, especially across the hood and the flared wheel wells. Under its skin, the C5 was more revolutionary, with many new components, including new power plants. The Corvette sat on a new platform designed for a more solid, stable feel, while the transmission (either a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic) was repositioned over the rear axle for better weight distribution across the chassis. Power came from a new, all-aluminum Gen III LS-1 345-hp, 5.7-liter V8, which provided a zero-to-60 time of 4.8 seconds. Better yet, the V8 managed up to 28 mpg on the highway.

Although the fifth-generation Corvette was initially available only as a coupe, Chevy added a convertible body style in 1998 and bumped horsepower for the V8 to 350 hp. A fixed-roof coupe appeared in 1999, followed by the debut of the Z06 Corvette a year later. It featured a stiffer body and suspension, more powerful brakes, lightweight wheels, and a 385-hp L6 V8, which was derived from the LS1. Horsepower for the Z06's V8 was boosted to 405 in 2002, and a carbon-fiber hood and titanium exhaust system, added in 2004, helped further reduce the Z06's weight, improving performance.

Chevrolet Corvette Fourth Generation (1996-1984)

The fourth-generation Corvette (C4), which debuted in 1984, had a slightly shorter (by 1.8 inches) wheelbase than the previous generation did, as well as a new suspension. Its rack-and-pinion steering was a first for the 'Vette. Outside, the car displayed smoothed-out lines with a clamshell hood and square headlights, while the interior came equipped with a new digital instrument panel. A 230-hp V8, which debuted in 1985, became the standard power plant for the fourth-generation Corvette.

Chevrolet Corvette Third Generation (1982-1968)

The Corvette received another makeover in 1968, resulting in the C3. It was based on the Mako Shark II concept car designed by Larry Shinoda. In a departure from the previous generation's design, the third-generation Corvette displayed more pronounced wheel flares, which gave it an overall more muscular look. It rode on the same platform as the previous generation did, and it came in coupe and convertible trims. Most of the previous generation's engines were still available, including the big 427 L88 V8.

The legendary ZL-1 joined the lineup in 1969, equipped with a tweaked version of the L88 V8, which generated an eye-popping 585 hp. The following year, Chevy switched up the rest of the Corvette's power plants, adding a new 370-hp LT-1 350-cubic-inch V8 and a couple of new big-block, 454-cubic-inch V8s, which produced 390 and 460 hp and replaced most of the 427s.

Chevy made minor updates to the Corvette's exterior in 1978, in honor of the car's 25th anniversary, and introduced a new Silver Anniversary edition. In addition, Chevy offered an Indy Pace Car edition, which commemorated the Corvette's first time as the pace car at the 500.

Chevrolet Corvette Second Generation (1963-1967)

A second-generation Chevy Corvette, also called the C2 or “mid-years“ generation, debuted in 1963 and lasted until 1967. It's considered by many to be the most attractive Corvette ever built. Drawing its design inspiration in part from the Jaguar E-Type, as well as reportedly from a mako shark, the Chevy adopted the Corvette Sting Ray name, which perfectly described its streamlined shape, low cabin, and tapering tail, accented by hidden headlights, non-functioning hood vents, and a split rear window.

The second-generation Corvette sat on a new ladder-style chassis with a shortened (by 4 inches) wheelbase and came equipped with an independent rear suspension for the first time. A choice of 327-cubic-inch V8s generated up to 360 hp, which increased to 375 hp in 1965, while a 396-cubic-inch L78 V8, which debuted in '65, put out 425 hp. However, it remained for only a year and was gone by '66. In 1967, Chevy upped the power quotient even more with the introduction of the limited-quantity, 427-cubic-inch L88 V8, which reportedly delivered around 500 hp.

Chevrolet Corvette First Generation (1953-1962)

Though groundbreaking on the outside, under its fiberglass skin, the first Corvettes (of the C1 generation) were fairly unimpressive. The original Corvette rode on a chassis borrowed from GM's sedans, such as the Bonneville, Bel Air, and Impala, and for this reason is often called the “solid-axle“ Corvette because of its rear drivetrain and suspension. Because of a late start, only 300 Polo White Corvette convertibles came off the automaker's assembly line in Flint, Michigan in the first year of production.

For 1954, production was moved to St. Louis, and additional exterior colors were added as GM worked out the bugs with the fiberglass body. Sales were somewhat sluggish, due in part to the Corvette's lackluster power plant. A new 195-hp, 265-cubic-inch V8, introduced in 1955, helped jolt sales, but an exterior redesign in 1956 made the Corvette legendary. A new chrome grille, concave sides, and a sculpted hood, as well as the tapering rear end minus the tail fins, gave the Corvette a much sportier appearance. Power was pumped up to 210 hp, and for the first time, Chevy offered the Corvette with an optional removable hardtop.

Horsepower continued to increase through the late 1950s, and Chevy added a number of new transmissions, including a four-speed manual transmission in 1957. An extensive restyling in 1958 included new quad headlights and an updated interior with a new steering wheel, dashboard, and instrument gauges. By 1960, the Corvette's V8 engines put out as much as 315 hp. Another exterior redesign in 1961 gave the Corvette a “duck tail“ rear end with four round taillights.