Overview Chevrolet casts the 2026 E-Ray as the Corvette you can drive in all four seasons, but its all-wheel-drive traction and electrified powertrain have another, more impressive talent: Beastly acceleration. With a 6.2-liter V-8 burbling behind the cabin and an electric motor spinning the front axle, the E-Ray boasts a combined 655 horsepower. That’s less than the 670 ponies in the more expensive Corvette Z06, but the E-Ray out-accelerated its big sibling in our testing, hitting 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Handling is razor sharp, just like in the rest of the Corvette lineup, and the hybrid asks for little tradeoff in terms of practicality. The interior is spacious enough for two adults, and there’s enough cargo space for a weekend trip. It’s just as easy to live with on the daily as a Corvette Stingray, just don’t expect the E-Ray to save you much at the pump. It’s not that kind of hybrid.What’s New for 2026?An interior revamp for 2026 sees the wall of buttons on the E-Ray’s center console morph into a grab handle. Chevy has moved the climate controls from that center console to a panel just below the infotainment display. Speaking of infotainment, a larger 12.7-inch touchscreen replaces last year’s smaller unit. The digital gauge display grows to 14.0 inches, and a new 6.6-inch touchscreen appears on the left side of the gauges for auxiliary controls. The drive-mode selector has been redesigned to make room for a new wireless smartphone charging pad, and the cupholders have been reworked to include ambient interior lighting and, on upper trims, real aluminum trim. The E-Ray’s Performance app now includes acceleration timers, a G-force gauge, tire-pressure and temperature gauges, and a propulsion-system vitals gauge. Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is expected to start around $109,000 and go up to $127,000 depending on the trim and options.1LZ Coupe$109,000 (est)2LZ Coupe$115,000 (est)1LZ Convertible$116,000 (est)3LZ Coupe$120,000 (est)2LZ Convertible$122,000 (est)3LZ Convertible$127,000 (est)Like the regular Corvette, the Corvette E-Ray is available as either a coupe or a convertible with a power-folding hardtop. Since the coupe’s targa roof lifts off for open-top motoring anyway, we’d stick with it. The E-Ray is offered in 1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ trim levels with similar equipment to the 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT versions of the standard Corvette Stingray, and we’d recommend upgrading to the 2LZ version, which adds features such as a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a 14-speaker Bose stereo system, blind-spot monitoring, and more.Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Corvette E-Ray’s hybrid powertrain consists of a 6.2-liter V-8 borrowed from the Corvette Stingray that makes 495 horsepower and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A 160-hp electric motor sits on the front axle and drives the front wheels, creating an all-wheel-drive setup with a combined 655 horsepower. A small 1.1-kWh battery pack allows the Corvette E-Ray to travel at up to 45 mph on electric power for short distances in what Chevy calls Stealth mode. Chevrolet is touting the winter-weather advantages of all-wheel drive and underscoring that idea by making high-performance all-season tires standard on the E-Ray. Summer rubber is an option, and our test vehicle was so equipped. Cornering grip is nothing short of heroic; although the extra mass from the addition of the electric motor and battery shows up on the scales, it goes virtually unnoticed from behind the wheel on twisty roads. Much like the base Stingray, the E-Ray is as easy to live with whether you’re running errands or threading your local esses. We proved that by letting it loose at Lightning Lap 2024. This is a sports car with two personalities in one.0–60-MPH TimesWith both the electric motor and the V-8 operating at full chat, the Corvette E-Ray hit 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds at our test track. That’s quicker than the rear-drive 670-hp Corvette Z06 coupe, which reached 60 mph in 2.6 seconds in the same test. More on the Corvette E-Ray Coupe and ConvertibleFuel Economy and Real-World MPGThe EPA hasn’t released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Corvette E-Ray yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, the Corvette E-Ray delivered 23 mpg. For more information about the Corvette E-Ray’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoWhile the Corvette E-Ray has a different powertrain from other Corvettes, the interior is nearly identical to the Stingray and Z06 models. It’s strictly a two-seater and can be optioned with materials such as leather, imitation suede, and metal or carbon-fiber trim. The roof is removable on the coupe, just like in other Corvettes, and it is stored inside the trunk just aft of the engine compartment. The rear trunk can also accommodate two golf bags, while the smaller front trunk offers space for some luggage or cargo when the roof is stowed. The driver sits behind a squared-off steering wheel. There’s a 14.0-inch reconfigurable gauge display and a large infotainment touchscreen angled toward the driver for ease of use. Special pages on the screen provide readouts for electric-motor and gas-engine power and torque. ChevroletThe Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityThe Corvette E-Ray comes with a 12.7-inch touchscreen that features a Google-based infotainment interface. Bluetooth, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are all standard. A 10-speaker stereo tuned by Bose is standard on 1LZ models, but 2LZ and 3LZ cars come with a 14-speaker Bose setup.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesThe Corvette E-Ray comes with several driver-assistance features as standard, but others are optional, such as blind-spot monitoring. For more information about the Corvette’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageWhile its performance is amazing, the Corvette E-Ray’s warranty coverage is strictly average. At least the first maintenance service is covered at no cost.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Hybrid components covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray*
Vehicle Type: mid-engine, front-motor, front/all-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2 door targa
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $106,595/$113,985
Options: 2LE Equipment package, $5500; Carbon Flash forged aluminum wheels, $995; Performance package, $500; Black exhaust tips, $395
POWERTRAIN
pushrod V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection, 495 hp, 470 lb-ft + 1 AC motor, 160 hp, 125 lb-ft (combined output: 655 hp; 1.1-kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmission, F/R: direct-drive/8-speed dual-clutch automatic.
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/control arms
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc/15.4-in vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP
F: 275/30ZR-20 (97Y) TPC
R: 345/25ZR-21 (104Y) TPC
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.2 in
Length: 184.6 in
Width: 79.7 in
Height: 48.6 in
Passenger Volume: 51 ft3
Cargo Volume: 13 ft3
Curb Weight: 3965 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 2.5 sec
100 mph: 6.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 10.6 sec @ 128 mph
130 mph: 11.0 sec
150 mph: 16.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.0 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 183 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 152 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 300 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.08 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 23 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 420 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 19/16/24 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
* Test results and specs apply to current model year.
Source: caranddriver.com
