To the average person, it might seem like there’s no overlap between people who shop at a Chevy dealer and those who shop at a Porsche dealer: one brand is commonly known for its affordable and practical models, while the other is synonymous with high price tags and luxury amenities. But if you’re looking for a high-performance sports car, you can’t count Chevy out. That’s because the Corvette continues to raise the bar year after year, punching above its price point so it can truly stand toe to toe with fancy models from automakers like Porsche.
This idea is easy enough to throw out there conceptually, but does it hold up to real scrutiny? Let’s find out. In this head-to-head, we’re going to compare the 2025 Corvette to the 2025 Porsche 718, with a focus on power and how much you get for your money. Both models are available in a number of different configurations, with both convertible and coupe body styles and multiple powertrain options, so it will take some digging to sort this out, but with a look at the details, it should become clear which car comes out on top.
How Does the Stingray Stack Up?
Looking at the starting prices of the base trims of the two models, you might be surprised that the Porsche is only slightly more expensive than its Chevy counterpart. The Corvette Stingray 1LT Coupe starts at $68,300, while the Porsche 718 Cayman starts at $72,800. Given the world of difference between the gravitas of the two brands, is the price difference between the two really under $5k? On its surface, that doesn’t pass the sniff test, but it makes sense if you look at the engine lineups for the two cars.
The Corvette pulls no punches, even on the entry-level trims. Its base engine is a 6.2L V8 that cranks out 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, giving it the juice it needs to speed from 0-60 mph in as little as 2.9 seconds. The 718, on the other hand, plays hard-to-get with its most thrilling powertrains. That comparably priced base trim comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0L flat-four engine that generates 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, giving it an official 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds (though it’s a touch faster in practice). Want to match the 495 ponies of the Corvette? You’ll have to shell out at least $164,200 for the 718 Spyder RS or 718 Cayman GT4 RS, which are powered by a 4.0L flat-six that produces 493 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, giving them a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds. Ah, there’s the price difference we were looking for! And you still don’t get nearly as much torque, which explains why the 718 still lags behind when it comes to acceleration.
More Powerful Corvette Variants
The 718 Spyder RS and 718 Cayman GT4 RS have slightly more horsepower than the base engine of the ‘Vette, but the Stingray’s 6.2L V8 is not the most powerful engine option in the Corvette family. If we’re climbing to the top of the trim ladder for Porsche, then we’d be remiss to ignore the variants of the Corvette that turn the specs up to 11. While the Z06, E-Ray, and ZR1 are rarely compared directly to the base trims of the ‘Vette, they’re worth bringing up next to the 718’s top trims. After all, if you’re going to shell out over $160k on a performance car, you might as well get all the power you can get.
Starting at $106,900, the Corvette E-Ray uses an electrified front axle to put a hybrid twist on the ‘Vette, pairing a 160 hp motor with the 6.2L V8 of the Stingray to create a combined 655 hp and 595 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to sprint from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. With a budget of $112,100, you can work your way up to the Corvette Z06, which is powered by a 5.5L V8 that produces 670 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, nearly meeting the electric power of the E-Ray with a 0-60 time of 2.6 seconds. The upcoming ZR1 will probably be the only Corvette to actually be more expensive than the top trims of the Porsche 718; while Chevy hasn’t officially named a starting price yet, it’s expected to be around $180k. But for that extra cash, you’ll be the proud owner of an absolutely bonkers 5.5L flat-plane crank twin-turbo V8 engine that boasts up to 1,064 hp and 828 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time is also not available at the time of writing, but we can confidently predict that it will be, you know…low.
Strengths of the 718
Clearly, the Corvette has the edge when it comes to power by the numbers, so for the sake of fairness, let’s take a look at some of the less tangible ways in which the Porsche scores some points. For one thing, there’s the fact that it’s still available with a manual transmission. The Corvette gives you paddle shifters for its dual-clutch gearbox, but no matter what variant you opt for, a 2025 model will always have an automatic, taking away some of your control. While the 718 also has a dual-clutch automatic available as an optional feature, it still comes standard with a six-speed manual for the 2025 model year, making it more appealing to enthusiasts who aren’t ready to give up their stick shift just yet.
And putting performance aside for a moment, it’s worth pointing out that the 718 has a more refined look inside and out. While the Corvette is well sculpted and has a nicely appointed interior, it leans into bold, sporty styling to the extreme, which can be off-putting for buyers with less flashy tastes. The Porsche has a more mature blend of athletic styling and a luxurious feel, which goes a long way toward justifying its inflated price.
Who’s First Across the Finish Line?
Looking at the variants available and the power they can produce, there’s no question that the Corvette comes out ahead. That makes sense when you look at how these two models fit into their automaker’s overall lineup. The Corvette is the crown jewel of Chevy’s performance vehicles, while the 718 is the entry-level option for Porsche drivers. The Corvette gets plenty of attention and is going to get the best-engineered engines that Chevy can create, while the 718 is always going to be second fiddle to the Porsche 911.
Nevertheless, it’s still impressive just how much the Corvette manages to outperform the 718. Even putting the base model of the ‘Vette up against the 718 Spyder RS or 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the Chevy still has the advantage on 0-60 mph time. It may only be 0.1 seconds, but considering that the top-trim Porsches cost 2.4 times as much as the Stingray, the fact that they take longer to accelerate at all is still striking. Clearly, if you don’t care about brand appeal and just want the most muscle for your money, the Corvette is the way to go. We tip our hats to this American underdog for standing up so well against the big boys from overseas.
