2026 Chevrolet Corvette prices surge by up to $21,000, now $62,490 dearer in four years

The least expensive Chevrolet Corvette is now 34 per cent dearer than it was four years ago – up $62,490 – after price rises of $7000 to $21,000 as part of a 2026 model-year update that adds popular options to the standard equipment list.

It has introduced a new, more modern interior with larger screens and more conventional air-conditioning controls, but the flagship Z06 track edition that accounted for 16 per cent of total Corvette sales last year is absent – at least for the time being.

The MY26 price rises are the latest in a line of increases for the first factory right-hand-drive Corvette, which entered Australia in late 2021 priced from $144,990 plus on-road costs.

The same variant today – the Corvette Stingray 2LT Coupe – now costs more than the most expensive trim grade in 2021, at $193,990 plus on-road costs, vs $189,990.

Hit with the biggest price rise is the Stingray 3LT Coupe, up $21,000 to now start from $222,990 plus on-road costs – compared to $160,500 in 2021 – while the E-Ray hybrid has increased in price by $17,990, now $292,990.

General Motors Specialty Vehicles, the factory importer of the Corvette in Australia, says the price rise is offset by a number of popular optional features becoming standard equipment at a lower price than if they were specified individually.

Now standard on the 3LT are gloss black 20-spoke wheels, red brake calipers, the Engine Apperance Package, a red engine cover, and a Carbon Flash finish for the rear spoiler and mirror caps.

These options would have cost an extra $8620 on the MY25 version – after Luxury Car Tax – according to data published on industry price guide Redbook.

"With the introduction of a standardised trim strategy for the MY26 Corvette Stingray range and E-Ray, GMSV is enhancing customer value by incorporating the most sought-after premium features into carefully curated specifications," GM Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala said in a written statement.

Absent from the latest price list is the lower-grade 2LT Convertible and hero Z06 coupe.

The latter was priced from $336,000 plus on-road costs, with a bespoke 5.5-litre V8 engine – rather than the 6.2-litre in other variants – plus hardcore aerodynamics and race-track-focused handling.

A GMSV spokesperson told Drive: "We are not making an announcement on MY26 Z06 at this time. Stay tuned for updates."

Also included in the updated line-up is the Stingray R special edition, limited to just 50 examples priced from $235,000 plus on-road costs, with a carbon-fibre roof, black highlights, and body stripes.

Model Year 2026 examples replace the 12-inch driver display and 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with a 12.7-inch central touchscreen, 14-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 6.6-inch touch display to the driver's left.

The lattermost shows driving data such as tyre pressures, and is placed above a dedicated switch for "one-touch access" to Performance Traction Management stability modes, now including PTM Pro, which turns off traction and stability control entirely for "maximum control".

The air conditioning controls have moved from a 'waterfall' row splitting the driver and passenger, to a mix of physical switches below the infotainment screen, as well as icons on the touchscreen itself.

It has created space for a passenger grab handle, and a USB-C port below it.

Other changes include new infotainment software with updated animations and sharper graphics, a larger volume control, dedicated drive mode button below the shifter, and a new wireless phone charging pad with a cover.

The cupholders now feature ambient lighting and "hand-wrapped inserts".

The Performance Data Recorder 'race-track dashcam' system has been updated with a new side-by-side video analysis function and 'speed tips', while the E-Ray's separate Performance App is now on all variants.

Chevrolet Connected Services debuts on the Corvette in Australia, with Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store built into the vehicle, plus over-the-air updates, and support for a Chevrolet phone app with vehicle tracking and remote controls.

Unchanged is the 6.2-litre petrol V8, which produces 369kW/637Nm in the rear-wheel-drive Stingray or, with the assistance of a 119kW/169Nm front electric motor and 1.9kWh battery, 488kW and 806Nm in the E-Ray all-wheel-drive hybrid.

All models use an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and offer steel or carbon-ceramic brake discs, sports exhaust systems, and Michelin performance tyres.

The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette is available to order now.

• Corvette Stingray 2LT Coupe – $193,990 (up $7000)
• Corvette Stingray 3LT Coupe – $222,990 (up $21,000)
• Corvette Stingray 3LT Convertible – $232,990 (up $13,500)
• Corvette Stingray R Launch Edition coupe – $235,000 (new for MY26)
• Corvette E-Ray coupe – $292,990 (up $17,000)

Note: All prices above and below exclude on-road costs.

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner

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