Look around your local Chevy dealer, and among the family-friendly SUVs and workhorse trucks, you’ll find a legendary performance car. The Corvette has long been an icon among enthusiasts, and you don’t stay in the game for that long by being afraid to innovate. Chevy is proving that to be true once again this model year, as the ‘Vette gets some major interior upgrades as well as an all-new variant dubbed the ZR1X.
The 2026 model year isn’t a complete redesign for the car—we’re still decidedly in Generation 8. But don’t think that means there aren’t some serious upgrades in here, from a touchscreen that’s nearly twice as big as its predecessor to a new powertrain that has the best stats in the lineup, with even more horsepower and torque than the powerful ZR1. Let’s dive into the specifics and see what this refresh has to offer for Chevy-loyal speed demons.
All-New ZR1X Variant
Let’s not bury the lede here: the introduction of the Corvette ZR1X is easily the most exciting piece of news for the 2026 refresh. To put this new option into context, let’s back up a little. This variant may be brand new, but it stands on the shoulders of several Corvette innovations made in recent years.
When the Corvette entered its long-awaited eighth generation for the 2020 model year with an all-new mid-engine design, it only offered the base Stingray variant, so drivers had a maximum of 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 model year saw the launch of the Z06, offering more oomph with 670 ponies and 460 lb-ft of torque from its flat-plane crank 5.5L V8. Then, for the 2024 model year, Chevy tried something new: a hybrid Corvette.
The Corvette E-Ray is marketed as an electrified Corvette, and its hybrid setup does indeed offer some fuel economy benefits. Looking at the 2025 lineup, the E-Ray and Stingray offer the same 19 MPG combined, despite the fact that the hybrid has an extra 160 hp and is paired with AWD instead of RWD. The Z06, on the other hand, is rated at just 14 MPG combined despite offering only 15 hp more than the E-Ray and being paired with RWD. But the real selling point is the fact that the hybrid’s electric power offers more torque at lower RPM, allowing it to become the quickest production Corvette in history at the time of its release, with a 0-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds.
For the 2025 model year, the ZR1 trim made a triumphant return, matching that 2.5-second 0-60 time and offering a whopping 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque with a turbocharged version of the 5.5L V8 engine from the Z06. And with that, the final piece was in place. Chevy had all the parts it needed to add a truly special variant to the 2026 lineup.
The all-new Corvette ZR1X takes all of these innovations and brings them together for a powerful cocktail of electrified power and performance prowess. Called “the most advanced Corvette ever” by Chevy, this model blows its predecessors out of the water with a 0-60 mph time that’s under two seconds and a sub-nine-second quarter-mile time. The powertrain behind those speeds? The same turbocharged 5.5L V8 that powers the ZR1, paired with an electric drive unit from the E-Ray that powers the front axle, giving the ‘Vette all-wheel drive and adding extra power to the mix. In total, the ZR1X has an incredible 1,250 hp and 973 lb-ft of torque.
On top of bigger thrills on the track, this variant has a number of other unique advantages. Its all-electric drive mode may only get you four to five miles at speeds up to 45 mph, but that’s plenty for getting into or out of your neighborhood without getting hit with noise complaints during early morning or late night hours. Once you are up to speed, the eAWD system constantly monitors tire conditions and delivers maximum traction for confident driving.
Upgraded Interior
You don’t have to opt for the new ZR1X variant to enjoy the 2026 Corvette refresh. The entire lineup benefits from upgrades to the interior, including both new tech and rearranged controls that make the cockpit more comfortable and convenient. Perhaps the most obvious example is the center touchscreen, which expands from eight inches to 14 inches, making it much easier to see vehicle information at a glance. This is paired with a larger 12.7-inch digital instrument cluster behind the wheel and a 6.6-inch auxiliary touchscreen on the driver’s left.
The layout of the interior has also been redesigned, with some of the buttons relocated to make the cabin more driver-centric. The volume knob is larger and illuminated, making it easier to find quickly without too much distraction. Beneath the passenger grab handle, you’ll now find a USB-C port. The wireless charging pad has also been repositioned for easier access, so charging devices is easier all around.
Of course, there are also some shiny new features that are purely aesthetic upgrades, like cup holders that light up and feature the Corvette logo. A new asymmetrical black and red interior colorway is certainly eye-catching and plays into the bold and sporty style of the ‘Vette. A carbon fiber hood over the instrument cluster is standard on the ZR1 and available on the Z06 and E-Ray.
Other Changes
The new cabin and new variant are easily the most significant additions to the 2026 model, but they aren’t the only upgrades. One new option is an electrochromic roof that lets you adjust the tint of the sunroof so you can get the amount of ambient light you want. The Performance Traction Management feature, which has a variety of selectable modes that adjust traction control, stability control, and power delivery, now has a new PTM Pro mode that lets you turn off electronic stability and traction control altogether for an extra degree of freedom out on the track.
Other features aren’t completely new, but are getting expanded so more drivers can enjoy them. For example, Chevy’s Performance App used to be exclusive to the E-Ray, but it’s now available on all models. This feature displays performance data in real time so you can keep track of how you’re driving. Enthusiasts serious about tracking their stats are sure to enjoy getting wider access to this useful tech.
Overall Impression
While not quite as exciting or dramatic as the introduction of the mid-engine C8 Corvette for 2020, this refresh definitely has a lot to love. The redesigned interior is a significant improvement, making it easier to do everyday things like charge your phone or check step-by-step navigation directions at a glance, as well as performance-specific things like record data and switch into various selectable performance modes.
The Corvette ZR1X feels like a culmination of the last several Corvette variations. Marrying the mid-engine design of the C8 with the turbocharged V8 that powers the ZR1 and the electric motor of the E-Ray sounds like a match made in heaven. It feels like Chevy has been revving up to this point for the past half decade, and we look forward to seeing the ZR1X zoom over the finish line.
