Over the last few years, we've seen the zeitgeist towards hybrid power shift drastically. What used to be reserved for frugal city cars is now a serious tool to boost power and fun, and no other car shows that better than the latest Chevrolet Corvette, which comes in both hybrid and purely ICE forms. Can you imagine telling a gasoline-bleeding Corvette fan from ten years ago that there would one day be electric motors on board their favorite sports car?It's not only power and complexity that hybrid power increases though, as there's a pretty big price jump when you check the 'E-Ray' box in 2026. But what does that actually bring you when you look at the details? Is it $30,000 that would be better used for something else, or is it worth spending the extra? Let's find out. An Electric Motor Gives You Oodles More Power ChevroletThey may share the exact same engine, but the front-mounted electric motor gives the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray a good boost in power. The most horsepower you'll find in the regular Stingray is 495 hp with the optional Z51 package, which mainly comes from the freer-flowing exhaust pipes. Add 160 horsepower from the front wheels, and you get a combined 655 horses in the E-Ray, which puts it only slightly behind the latest hybrid Porsche 911 Turbo S."As the C8 Corvette reached hypercar territory with the ZR1X, the E-Ray could be considered the sneaky value in the lineup. It launches harder than cars that cost significantly more, all without the drawbacks. The E-Ray is not the Corvette our heart would tell us to drive on a last-minute trip on our favorite road, but it is the one our brain would tell us to use on a commute that also includes some fun stretches."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzNot only is the E-Ray more powerful, but you'll also feel that performance a lot more. During most of your time driving this mid-engine Corvette, it'll feel like the Stingray it shares most of its parts with, but under launch, it'll kick you in the back on the head thanks to 495 lb-ft of instant torque from the electric motor. AWD also makes it easier to enjoy that power without fearing that it'll take you off the road.Chevrolet It's not just power that Chevy has thrown at the Corvette, though, as both of these vehicles feature a dry-sump oil system that's great for track use, although the E-Ray has carbon ceramic brakes as standard for extended hard use. All-season tires are standard on the E-Ray as GM wants it to be an 'every day' supercar, but you can upgrade to Michelin summer tires if you want more grip in the dry. All-Wheel-Drive Makes Everything Easier ChevroletWith great power comes great responsibility, but luckily, the AWD system in the E-Ray helps you manage the extra torque and makes you less worried about pressing the loud pedal. If you feel the front starting to understeer, you just need to apply more throttle to combat it. With no direct connection between the front and rear axles, the electric motor can help you grip through the corner and pull you out with extra speed.The AWD system doesn't change the amount of involvement you have, either. It's heavily rear-biased most of the time, so you should treat it as that extra bit of assistance when you really need it. An electric front axle also gives you access to two modes that are only available on the E-Ray.They're called Shuttle and Stealth mode, and both don't make use of the engine at all. The former allows you to move at speeds up to 15 mph electrically, which is great for maneuvering in a car park or a driveway, while Stealth mode helps keep your neighbors happy. It does that by driving solely on electric power for about five miles at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. That's not a huge amount of range, but enough to get out of the suburbs. Fuel Economy Isn't Much Better, Though... ChevroletMost people spend the extra money on a hybrid powertrain for the money it saves you in the long run, but that's not quite the same here with the E-Ray. The hybrid is mainly here for performance, and that impacts fuel efficiency. You're looking at 19 mpg combined for both, 16 mpg for the city also for both, but the regular Stingray is actually slightly better on the highway with 25 mpg, presumably because of the extra weight of the E-Ray.The five miles of electric range is nice to have, but we wouldn't buy the E-Ray just for this reason. There's almost no mention of the fuel efficiency on the website for the E-Ray, and it's not surprising. It would be nice to have a slight improvement, especially in the city, but we're happy with the extra power. At least it's not quite as thirsty as the twin-turbo ZR1, which has only 14 mpg combined. What Else Do You Get For Your Money? ChevroletLuckily, it's not just a bunch of batteries that you get for your extra $30k. Compared to the Stingray, the E-Ray is given the optional Magnetic ride control and carbon ceramic brakes as standard, both of which massively help if you're planning to take the car on track. The ride control can scan the road ahead and adapt the suspension to react in as little as 10 milliseconds, and it's adjustable for whenever you need it a bit softer or stiffer."Chevy envisions the E-Ray as a Grand Touring car, which means it makes virtually no sacrifices compared to a base Stingray. Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 suspension comes standard with three suspension settings, and even the firmest mode isn't punishing."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzzInside, there's a head-up display fitted as standard on the E-Ray, but not much else is different. Both vehicles are split into three trim options, and they can get seriously plush when you check a few boxes. That includes features like a 14-speaker Bose sound system, extra bolstering in the seats, and a heated steering wheel. It's a great grand tourer, especially in the E-Ray with the extra damping controls. Pricing: Should You Spend The Extra Money? General MotorsThere are real reasons to spend the price of a whole Miata on the upgrade to the E-Ray. We can imagine that if you're doing a lot of driving when road conditions are slippery, the AWD system will give you extra confidence and assures a safer journey home. That's ignoring the massive speed bump, too, and you'll certainly feel the extra almost-200 hp compared to the Stingray.Unfortunately, however, the hybrid system might not always feel like a worthy purchase. Not many people will get to experience the full power limits of their car, and where are you going to unleash 495 horsepower on the road, let alone 665? If the electric range was a little longer we might've recommended it a bit more, but most people may never use the extra features it gives you. Still, AWD is a great option to have in certain climates.Sources: Chevrolet.
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