Corvette vs RC 300
Put the Corvette next to the RC 300 and you have Chevrolet and Lexus going after exactly the same sports car crowd. Neither wins across the board. The Corvette makes its case with engine & performance; the RC 300 makes its case with fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Corvette wins
- Fuel Economy & Range RC 300 wins
- Space & Practicality Trade-off
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance6.4
- Fuel Economy & Range0.7
- Space & Practicality4.6
- Engine & Performance1.6
- Fuel Economy & Range4.7
- Space & Practicality6.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Corvette has 249 hp more power
Among all the differences on this page, 490 hp against 241 hp is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Corvette. The Corvette’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
-
The RC 300 has room for 4 seats
The Corvette gives up a lot on seats: 2 seats, compared with 4 seats on the RC 300. The RC 300 has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
-
The RC 300 has better fuel economy
Few buyers will miss this one. The RC 300 brings 25 mpg to the table; the Corvette brings 19 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
-
The Corvette has 21% more cargo space
When it comes to cargo (behind rear seats), the Corvette wins comfortably with 12.6 cu ft against 10.4 cu ft. The Corvette’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
-
The Corvette has 207 lb-ft more torque
It’s a lopsided result (465 lb-ft for the Corvette, 258 lb-ft for the RC 300) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. The Corvette’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Design & Size
- Corvette 182.3 in × 76.1 in × 48.6 in
- RC 300 185 in × 72.4 in × 54.9 in
The RC 300 is physically larger, so the Corvette will be the easier fit wherever space is limited.
Dimensions
| Spec | Corvette | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.3 in | 185 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 76.1 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 48.6 in | 54.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.2 in | 107.5 in |
Engine & Performance
Corvette leads
For engine & performance, the verdict is easy: the Corvette leads, and not by a little. The Corvette scores with 249 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. For anyone who cares most about engine & performance, the Corvette is the safer choice.
Total system output
Corvette: 490 hp RC 300: 241 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
Corvette: 465 lb-ft RC 300: 258 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
RC 300 leads
The RC 300 clearly takes the fuel economy & range round. The RC 300 takes this one with better fuel economy. The RC 300 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. The fuel economy & range verdict goes to the RC 300.
Fuel economy (combined)
Corvette: 19 mpg RC 300: 25 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
Corvette: 16 mpg RC 300: 21 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Trade-off
Neither has the whole package on space & practicality. The Corvette has 21% more cargo space, while the RC 300 has room for 4 seats. Pick the strength that fits your routine; that’s the honest answer for space & practicality.
Seats
Corvette: 2 seats RC 300: 4 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Corvette: 12.6 cu ft RC 300: 10.4 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on off-road & towing. Bottom line for off-road & towing: it’s a wash.
Safety & Tech
This section is descriptive. The Corvette and the RC 300 list different components for safety & tech, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Corvette | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 6.2L V8 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 490 hp (winner) | 241 hp |
| Torque | 465 lb-ft (winner) | 258 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Corvette | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 19 mpg | 25 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 16 mpg | 21 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 25 mpg | 31 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal | 17.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Corvette | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 2 seats | 4 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 12.6 cu ft (winner) | 10.4 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Corvette | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Corvette | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 10.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Chevy Safety Assist | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Corvette | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.3 in | 185 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 76.1 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 48.6 in | 54.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.2 in | 107.5 in |
Price
| Spec | Corvette | RC 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $68,300 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Corvette if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (490 hp vs 241 hp)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (12.6 cu ft vs 10.4 cu ft)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (465 lb-ft vs 258 lb-ft of torque)
Choose the RC 300 if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (4 seats vs 2 seats)
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (25 mpg vs 19 mpg combined)
- you want better city fuel economy (21 mpg vs 16 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (31 mpg vs 25 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Corvette or the RC 300?
It depends on your priorities: the Corvette is stronger on engine & performance, while the RC 300 leads on fuel economy & range.
Which is larger, the Corvette or the RC 300?
Going by the official dimensions, the RC 300 is the larger one: 185 × 72.4 × 54.9 in against the Corvette’s 182.3 × 76.1 × 48.6 in.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the Corvette’s and the RC 300’s) so you don’t have to. Start with the headline difference (the Corvette has 249 hp more power), and a lot of the decision falls into place. It also helps that the Corvette has 21% more cargo space. I don’t want to sell the RC 300 short, though: it has room for 4 seats.
The Corvette makes sense for anyone who values engine & performance; the RC 300 for anyone who values fuel economy & range.
My pick: it depends. Go for the Corvette if engine & performance comes first for you, or the RC 300 if fuel economy & range does.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.