2017 Chevrolet Corvette vs. 2017 Dodge Viper: Which is Best?

2016 Dodge Viper ・ Photo by Dodge

When it comes to daily sports cars, American muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger can be the perfect fit. However, what if you want something more exclusive, something with more precision — what do you buy? While everyday run-of-the-mill muscle cars will definitely feed the speed demon in you, cars like the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper will take that demon to the next level.

Cars like the Corvette and Viper are all about precision and make every drive behind the wheel an extremely thrilling one. So, how do you choose the right one for you? The 2018 Corvette kicks off its lineup with a 455-horsepower engine starting at $55,495. The Dodge Viper, which is still in its 2017 model year (the final year of production for this beast), features a whopping 645 horsepower and a starting price tag of $90,495.

But there is more to this story than just those horsepower ratings and the price tags. Let’s dig a little deeper and find out which super sports car we think you should park in your garage.

Exterior

The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette’s exterior is without a doubt one of the most beautiful designs we’ve seen come out of America in recent years. Not only is the current Corvette at work of art, the exterior is very functional with integrated aerodynamic and cooling aspects that increase the overall performance of the car. A functional hood air extractor helps reduce front lift. You can optionally get rear intake vents that look extremely aggressive and help cool the rear differential. Overall, we think every angle of the Corvette is well-designed to attract your attention.

The 2017 Dodge Viper, on the other hand, is instantly recognizable as the American icon we’ve come to know and appreciate. Like the Corvette, there are a bunch of functional components to the exterior of the Viper, but in our opinion, the overall look of the new Viper just doesn't take the iconic sports car’s design to the next level.

Photo by General Motors

Interior

Both the Corvette and Viper have stepped up their interior design and quality game for their latest versions. Each features a very driver-oriented dashboard and really block off the passenger from accessing the driver and center dash area with a bar that separates both individuals.

Forget everything you know about the interior of Corvettes. Gone are the days of cheap plastic and squeaky trim — today's features high-quality materials while keeping the “sporty” part alive. Some highlights include a flat-bottom steering wheel, sports bucket seats, aluminum and carbon fiber trim, optional Nappa leather seats, heated and cooled seats, and much more. Designers even kept the passenger’s lack of access to the center dash are in mind and added dedicated heated/cooled seats and temperature controls right under their fan vents. Overall, it seems like a lot of thought and care was given to the interior.

The Viper also features a beautiful high-quality interior. Almost everything the eye can see and the fingers can touch is wrapped in beautiful Nappa leather that gives a very premium feel to the cabin. The sporty aspect is highlighted by a sports bucket seats, a flat-bottom steering and available carbon fiber trim. With that being said, the interior of the Corvette just seems a better place to be when it comes to striking the perfect balance between luxury and sport.

Photo by Chevrolet

Technology

Given the price segment that these two cars are competing in, both come with a long list of standard technology features. The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display that houses a Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity (phone and audio streaming), OnStar 4GLTE with built-in WiFi hotspot, rearview camera, Bose sound system and much more. Keep in mind that the MyLink system has standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, so you really don’t have to upgrade to the optional navigation system. 

The 2017 Dodge Viper also comes standard with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display that houses the Uconnect infotainment system, Bluetooth (with phone and streaming audio), dual-zone climate control, a Harman Kardon sound system and a rearview camera. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available, the system does come standard with navigation.

Photo by Chevrolet

Performance Data Information

Both models come with their own performance data screens that are either displayed on the center display or the digital cluster display. On the Corvette, the digital instrument cluster is housed in an 8-inch LCD screen, while the Viper's measures 7 inches. Both screens can be customized to various themes and display a range of information including g-force, tire temperature, navigation info, vehicle information and a range of performance data that is right in front of your eyes.

Photo by Dodge

Engine Lineup

The 2018 Chevrolet Corvette comes standard with a 6.2-liter V8 engine making 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 2017 Dodge Viper is powered by an 8.4-liter V10 engine that pumps out 645 horsepower and a peak torque of 600 lb-ft. To make this face-off more fair, you can compare the Dodge Viper to the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 making 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Even then, the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is cheaper, starting at $79,495 compared to the Viper’s $90,495.

Photo by Chevrolet

Performance

Both of these cars offer quick acceleration and extremely sharp handling. In a straight line, the base Corvette goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, while the Z06 drops to three seconds flat. The Viper hits 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, so the Corvette Z06 wins this battle with a lower price tag and a faster 0-60 mph time.

Photo by Chevrolet

Ride and Handling

When it comes to ride and handling, both cars offer outstanding performance. As a daily driver, the Corvette is a little bit more smooth and easier to drive while the Viper is a little rough on the roads.

Both cars offer you the ability to circle through various drive modes. The Corvette offers Weather, Eco, Track, Sport and Track, which adjust the optional Magnetic Ride Control system. If you go for the base Corvette, you can add the Z51 Performance Package, which adds five extra horsepower for a total of 460, performance suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential. The Viper offers a high-performance suspension consisting of aluminum-bodied Bilstein dampers or a driver-selectable suspension featuring Bilstein DampTronic Select shock absorbers. It also features a five-mode electronic stability control feature that allows drivers to customize the system to their desired style.

Photo by Dodge

Fuel Economy

Of course, this might not be a top priority for most shoppers in this segment, but it is still an important factor to consider: The base 2018 Chevrolet Corvette has EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway, and the Corvette Z06 manages ratings of 15 mpg city/22 highway. The 2017 Dodge Viper loses to both Corvette models with ratings of 12/21 mpg.

Photo by Chevrolet

Pricing

Throughout this comparison, we’ve seen a theme of the Corvette offering more value for your money. Focusing just on performance, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 beats the Dodge Viper and costs just $79,495. The Dodge Viper, which carries a starting price tag of $90,495, goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds as compared to the Corvette Z06’s 3 seconds flat. Even when you take the base Corvette that starts at just $55,495, the difference in 0-60 mph times is just half a second.

Photo by Chevrolet

Verdict

Overall, it is pretty clear the 2018 Chevrolet Corvette is the clear winner here. That isn’t to say that the Viper is a total fail, but for a car that is in its last year of production, Dodge clearly wasn’t focused on really going head-to-head with the Corvette. Both cars will go down in history as two of the most iconic American sports cars — but the Corvette offers more bang for your buck and will live on for generations.

Photo by Chevrolet