Mimi Cooper Countryman

PHOTO BY BRANDON T. LEIGH

For 2020, the Corvette has undergone the most radical redesign in its 67-year history. Chevrolet's engineers decided a new midengine layout was the way to go for its inherent advantages in weight distribution. Risky? Yes. But the result is hugely impressive. In terms of performance, the Corvette equals or outshines cars costing twice to three times as much. The new 6.2-liter V8 and dual-clutch automatic transmission are a formidable combo on the track but offer plenty of oomph and smooth operation in nearly any condition. The 2020 Corvette also imparts more information about its handling balance and grip, thereby giving its driver more confidence in taking the car up to its handling limits.

As with past Corvettes, the C8 is practical for both daily driving and long trips. There's space for the coupe's removable targa roof panel top in the rear, and the lack of an engine up front means there's a small frunk in the nose. The new interior has a sharp, driver-focused design and fine materials throughout. A Corvette convertible is on its way too.

It's stupid fast, it looks exotic and it hammers home what the Chevy's sports car has always done: Give you maximum performance at a reasonable price. Even in a class full of impressive performance cars, the Corvette stands out. In Edmunds testing, using launch control rocketed our Z51 test car from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and cleared the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds at more than 120 mph. Both times are very quick. Braking performance is impressive, but that's largely down to the narrow front tires. We recorded panic stops from 60 mph in 105 feet, which is still a good number, and noted the Corvette's stability and excellent pedal feel. Steering and handling are both much improved. Skid pad testing showed the chassis' excellent balance with an eye-opening 1.09g, which is a number you'd expect from much more expensive performance cars. Likewise, the new eight-speed automatic transmission impresses with its smooth and quick shifts.

The new Corvette is one of the more comfortable cars in its class. Our test car had the optional MagneRide adaptive suspension. We found that it offers excellent compliance over a variety of road surfaces and smooths out bumps that would likely upset other sports cars. Adding to the comfort is the relative lack of wind and engine noise, though tire noise can be prominent on rough road surfaces.

The climate system provides good airflow from its stylish vents. Maybe just as striking as the exterior design, the Corvette's interior is certainly eye-catching. Getting in and out of the Corvette was a little difficult. This predicament is exacerbated in tight parking situations. But buyers will likely figure out a way and won't be too bothered. The com46promised rear visibility will take some getting used to as well. Chevy added a camera-based rearview mirror display to help, but the blind spots created by the rear pillars are still significant.

The Corvette benefits from Chevrolet's newest infotainment system. The graphics are crisp and modern, and the touchscreen's proximity to the driver makes it easy to operate. As small as the interior is, the optional 14-speaker Bose audio system manages to produce a decent soundstage with plenty of power. The front trunk can hold a couple of grocery bags, and the rear is big enough for two golf bags. Rear storage all but disappears, however, when you store the Corvette's removable roof panel in the trunk. Corvette returned 20.1 mpg, which is commendable given that some hard driving was done.

P

orsche’s craftsmanship and attention to detail are very well known among the auto world. Its cars are truly remarkable in their performance streaks and hence the old school Porsches are still very collectible. However, they are not particularly known for being reliable. Over the years, Porsche has worked to remedy this.

Getting a Porsche is a sure-fire way to get your neighbors green with envy. After all, you have a sweet ride. However, how reliable is it in front of their Toyota is what you should be concerned about. For precisely this purpose, the J.D. Power score comes in handy. J.D. Power has not rated the 2020 Porsche 718 Boxster but thankfully, the 2019 model has been rated. The 2019 model scored a massive 93/100 in the J.D. Power index.

This score not only matches but outdoes their Toyota in many regards. So, you can rest assured that it will remain in your garage happily without any qualms. Furthermore, the 2020 model has not had any recalls while the 2019 model only had 1 recall. This recall was for a fuel line that might leak in the event of a crash when a chassis member intrudes on it. Confidently, we can say that the 718 Boxster will carry forward the clean streak ideology of its predecessor and become yet another reliable ride. Everything is good and up to peak standards now.

With such a great track record, you might be more than excited to buy the 718 Boxster for yourself. However, when you buy a Porsche, you have to make sure that it remains the powerful stallion that it is for a long time. And for this purpose costs are involved. The following are the ownership costs for 5-years for the Porsche 718 Boxster:

Though it is a convertible, since it’s a Porsche offering, the body lines are one of the best. Smooth, curvaceous, and yet sleek and petite. The roof can be operated electrically at speeds up to 31 mph. As soon as you pop the roof button, the heated rear window comes up and the cloth roof attaches itself to the front, forming a faux coupe look.q`21

As you move to the side, the door is kind of sunken in to form an air vent in the door cavity itself. This has been the classic signature design feature from the Boxster’s inception. To this day, the makers have made sure that it stays omnipresent on the moniker.

Roam around to the back, and the curvy body matches the entire silhouette and perfectly and ends with the single exhaust vent at the center part of the back.