The Chevrolet Corvette has been the gold standard for affordable American performance since it rolled off the assembly line in 1953. While performance cars like the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang have had their time as America’s favorite sports cars, the Corvette has remained the same since its inception, delivering performance that competes with the best cars in the world. And all while remaining affordable and widely available across America.

But, even though the Chevrolet Corvette has been one of the most widely available and affordable options for performance driving, is it worth picking up a Corvette to own as a daily driver? Can the new C8 Corvette leave the safety of the garage during the work week and be put through its paces while delivering a fun, safe, and comfortable experience on a daily commute? According to Edmunds, this is entirely possible.

The Corvette C8 is a great daily driver

Cameron Rogers of Edmunds recently spent four of the past seven months behind the wheel of a 2020 C8 Corvette. He did so to get a long-term feel for the sports car and to see how it would hold up as a long-term daily driver. Unsurprisingly, the C8 Corvette is a solid commuter car for most people who want a little performance in their day-to-day routine.

Not surprisingly, Rogers found himself satisfied with the V8 engine in the back of the C8. This 6.2-liter V8 LT2 has an impressive 495 horsepower and 470 ft lbs of torque. With that much power alongside a classic V8 performance rumble right behind your headrest, it is no surprise that the C8’s powertrain makes just about every driver happy behind the wheel.

A great interior to spend time

While many other performance vehicles on the market produce similar power numbers to the C8 Corvette with four doors, the Corvette isn’t a performance full-size sedan. Instead, it is a full-on two-seater sports car, trimming away any unnecessary body weight, making this an extremely balanced car to drive. 

While this two-seater interior is naturally limited, it makes up for its comfortable seats. Edmunds’ 2020 C8 Corvette was outfitted with GT2 seats, which are more forgiving than the hard, tough competition seats and are much better suited for road trips and daily driving.

The downsides to daily driving a Corvette C8

While the performance, drivability, and tight handling may get you looking for your own 2020 C8 Corvette, this performance car doesn’t come without a few faults as a daily driver. According to Edmunds, the C8 Corvette suffers as a daily companion due to its low stance and limited ceiling height. 

Reaching the low door handles and finding your way into the cabin of the Corvette C8 can be a process, Edmunds explained, and it makes regular daily driving tough. This is especially true if you are a taller individual and you have to adjust your seat, so your head isn’t pressed against the roof of the cabin.

While the C7 Corvette did have a full-size rear hatch for storage, the C8 lacked cargo space. In fact, Edmunds states that the rear storage area on a Corvette C8 is too small even to hold a piece of carry-on luggage. For extended road trips and trips to the airport, you are likely better off with a regular car.

Should you daily drive a Corvette C8?

It depends on your needs. The Corvette has proved itself as a car that will last for years and years as a daily driver. Still, with the new mid-engine C8 delivering a performance-first mindset with a low stance and even lower cargo space than the previous generation, it may be challenging for some Americans to drive as a daily driver.

However, if you don’t have much cargo to worry about or passengers other than yourself and a plus one, get behind the wheel of a Corvette!

“Aside from a handful of cargo and personal space issues, using the Chevrolet Corvette as a daily driver is no problem. That’s pretty amazing given its performance capabilities.”

Cameron Rogers, Edmunds