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The 2021 Chevy Corvette is blisteringly quick, with a 0-60 of 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 194 miles per hour. But in one aspect, Subaru’s crossover SUV, the 2021 Crosstrek, is faster. In the month of September, new Crosstrek models sold faster than the Chevy Corvette by almost a full day. In fact, as of now, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is the fastest-selling car in America.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek
2021 Subaru Crosstrek | Subaru

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is the fastest-selling car in America, and for good reason

According to the report from iSeeCars, it took just 7.8 days for a brand new 2021 Subaru Crosstrek to go from arriving on the lot to being sold. By comparison, the 2021 Chevy Corvette takes 8.6 days on average. So not only is the Crosstrek selling faster than the Corvette, it’s selling faster than every other car in America. Faster than even the Toyota Corolla, the highest sold car in history.

And there’s one key reason the Crosstrek outpaces other cars. For starters, amidst this semiconductor shortage jacking up car prices, the Subaru Crosstrek remains extremely affordable, starting at just $22,245. In an age where the average price of a new car is $40,000, that’s remarkable. Although, that base price is only good for those who know how to drive a stick, and don’t mind a lack of creature comforts.

But opting for the higher trimmed Crosstrek Hybrid still won’t cost you a fortune, at an MSRP of $35,345. In other words, in an era where cars are in short supply, and more expensive, the Crosstrek remains a cheaper option.

However, one of the criticisms of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is that it’s remarkably slow. After all, the crossover only has a 2.0-liter flat-four that puffs out 152 horsepower (and a bigger 2.5-liter that manages 182 horsepower). So if speed is what you’re after, then perhaps a 2021 Chevy Corvette will better suit your needs.

The 2021 Chevy Corvette is fast, and it’s about to get faster

2021 Chevy Corvette
2021 Chevy Corvette | Chevy

I’ll admit, it’s quite a jump to go from a five-seater crossover to a two-seater, mid-engined sports car in the same article. But considering the 2021 Chevy Corvette is the second-fastest-selling car in America (right behind the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek), then there must be something to talk about.

For starters, in terms of power, there’s an awful lot of it. A total of 490 horsepower is cranked out from its V8 engine, plenty to give you whiplash on acceleration. But with 8 speeds, and the ability to shut off half the cylinders thanks to GM’s Active Fuel Management system, the performance monster can still get 27 mpg on the highway. And despite being low, the cabin is spacious and comfortable for its two occupants.

But if you’re not interested in fuel economy, fear not, because the Chevy Corvette is about to get way faster. the 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 was recently revealed and packs an astonishing 670 horsepower. Though, with the almost 200 horsepower boost, the assumed to be more expensive model scrapes just .2 seconds off the original 2.8-second 0-60 time. In other words, this ultra-powerful Corvette is hitting a speed ceiling.

Comparing the upcoming 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 to the current 2021 Chevy Corvette is somewhat tricky, as the only major differences are in terms of power and design. However, there are plenty of differences between America’s top two best-selling cars to explore.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs. The 2021 Chevy Corvette: an unnecessary comparison

2021 Subaru Crosstrek (top) vs. 2021 Chevy Corvette (bottom)
2021 Subaru Crosstrek (top) vs. 2021 Chevy Corvette (bottom) | Subaru/Chevy
Vehicle Model2021 Subaru Crosstrek (Automatic)2021 Chevy Corvette
Engine2.0-liter H4 (boxer)6.1-liter V8
Engine LayoutFront-Engine/AWDMid-Engine/RWD
Horsepower152 horsepower490 horsepower
Torque145 lb-ft470 lb-ft
0-60 Time9.2 seconds2.8 seconds
TransmissionContinuously variable transmission (CVT)8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel Economy30 mpg city/33 mpg highway16 mpg city/27 mpg highway
Starting Price$23,595$64,995

Yes, it’s ridiculous to compare the two. But I find it interesting to see the numbers and specs on paper. And even more interesting that these two cars from two totally different demographics are the top sellers in the country. After all, you can’t use a 2021 Chevy Corvette to haul the family around. And the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is far from fast.

However, the Subaru Crosstrek edges out the Chevy Corvette in terms of safety features. Subaru’s Eyesight driver assist technology is standard on all Crosstreks with an automatic transmission (if you bought the manual transmission, you’re on your own). This includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology, making it a level 2 autonomous car. On top of that, there are standard blindspot monitoring systems as well.

Meanwhile, the Corvette has blind-spot monitoring as an available option, and that’s about with. So what the Corvette has in power, it lacks in safety and driving features. Not that you’d want the 2021 Chevy Corvette to drive itself, it’s a car built for drivers.

Of the two, you probably already know which of these cars is right for you. And if they’re to top two best-selling cars in America, there are plenty of reasons to buy either one. The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is slow, but affordable and safe for your friends and family, while the 2021 Corvette is an expensive screamer that’ll make track days a blast. Or you could buy them both, and have a perfect two-car garage.

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