C8 Corvette a 2020 Motor Trend ‘Car of the Year’ Finalist

Sure, the C8 is better than the Tesla Model 3 and Kia Soul, but can it topple the mighty 992-series Porsche 911?

Motor Trend‘s Car of the Year award is one of the most prestigious awards a new car can receive. Only a completely new vehicle can take the crown. That means that, for 2020, the all-new C8 Chevrolet Corvette is in the running.

According to this article about the finalists, the Corvette is doing very well. However, it’s got some serious competition from Germany. That’s because the Porsche 911 Carrera S, another beloved, long-running sports car, is also brand new for 2020.

In addition to the Porsche, the Corvette is up against two other finalists, making it the only time in history a Corvette’s had to compete with the Kia Soul and the Tesla Model 3. We’re not knocking either of those two cars, of course. The new Kia Soul is a huge improvement over the previous model. They sold a ton of those, and they will probably sell a ton more. The Model 3 is important, too, because it’s affordable. Someone in your neighborhood probably owns a Tesla. A few short years ago, that may not have been possible.

However, the real battle here is between the Porsche 911 and the new Corvette. It’s no secret that automotive journalists adore the Porsche 911 — including several of us here (hey, just being honest). This newest model, known as the 992 chassis, stands to be the best one yet.

With that said, the new C8 Corvette is a revelation. It punches way above its class while remaining affordable. General Motors has invested a ton of money into this project because they know it’s important. The technology seen on the Corvette will end up in other GM cars very soon, meaning that the Corvette could stand to revitalize the entire company. Heck, it could revitalize American automobile manufacturing as we know it.

Then again, maybe it’s just a damn good sports car. If it’s better, or even a better value, than the new Porsche 911, then it should have no problem become the 2020 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

Photos: Motor Trend