Prior to the debut of the all-new 2020 Corvette C8, we posited that the new mid-engine layout could hurt overall passenger room and cargo space, at least when compared to the outgoing front-engine Chevrolet Corvette C7. Well, the C8 has touched down and it’s time to see if we were right, so we dug into the spec sheets to find out.
Listed below are the dimensions for the interior and cargo areas for both the 2020 Corvette C8 and previous-generation Corvette C7.
| Dimension | Corvette C7 | Corvette C8 | +/- Corvette C8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headroom (in. / mm): | 38 / 962 | 38 / 962 | Equal |
| Legroom (in. / mm): | 43 / 1092 | 42.8 / 1086 | - 0.2 / -6 |
| Shoulder Room (in. / mm): | 55 / 1397 | 54.2 / 1381 | - 0.8 / -16 |
| Hip Room (in. / mm): | 54 / 1371 | 52 / 1321 | - 2 / -50 |
| Coupe Cargo Volume (cu. ft. / L): | 15 / 425 | 12.6 / 356.8 | - 2.4 / 68.2 |
| Convertible Cargo Volume (cu. ft. / L): | 10 / 283 | TBA | - |
Looking over the numbers reveals some interesting things. Yes, the 2020 Corvette C8 has less interior room and cargo space when compared to the front-engine C7, but the differences are not significant. Clearly, GM clearly did a fantastic job packaging the C8, with the mid-engine car having only minimal losses in both areas.
The biggest loss is in cargo space, which makes a lot of sense given the mid-engine 2020 Corvette C8 splits its trunk area into two separate spaces, including one in front of the cabin (also called a front trunk, or “frunk” for short), and one behind the engine.
This is obviously a big change compared to the Corvette C7’s sizable rear trunk accessed via a large hatch-like door. Meanwhile, the C8 will still accommodate the removable roof panel in the rear trunk area.
The rest of the 2020 Corvette C8’s interior dimensions aren’t far from those of the C7. Hip room is down two inches, but shoulder room is only off by 0.8 inches, while legroom is down 0.2 inches. Headroom is identical between the two generations of the legendary American sports scar.
Roof panel stored in 2020 Corvette C8 rear trunk area
We’re certainly happy to see relatively spacious accommodations inside the 2020 Corvette. After all, the nameplate has traditionally been a Grand Tourer-type of vehicle, offering comfort and speed wrapped into a single stylish package that can be driven to any occasion. Luckily, buyers still get loads of interior room with the C8, even with the naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 engine mounted just behind the cabin.
Golf bag stored in the rear trunk area of the 2020 Corvette Stingray Coupe
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Comments
Two inches of hip room and 2.4 cubic foot of trunk space isn’t really minimal! Ford once suspended a designer for a week after an argument in which he demanded the dash on the Flex be lowered by 3 millimeters from the engineer! American hips have enlarged considerably since the human factors references of the 50s was done as well.
All that sh!t American food has to go somewhere…
6′ 6″, fit in C3, own 72 with fixed bucket road race seats, no issues. Don’t fit C4, dash too low, seats too high. Fit C5, but tight leg room wise. Fit C6 better than C5, more leg room and head room. Don’t fit C7, no adjustment gets me enough head room, leg room too tight with dash. C8? Have to wait to try one on at a dealer when the show up. Yeah, I know I am tall, but fit fine in some, and I am not the only one having this issue, some shorter than myself don’t fit as well. Why can’t we get an interior that is just slightly larger in the leg room and head room, not reduced?
Not trying to be confrontational but what mid-engined cars/supercars do you fit in???? Maybe front engined performance is where your biological makeup is STUCK, lol…sorry couldn’t help myself.
Can’t help myself either, my comment was in general, not mid engine oriented. The c8 reveal said it got roomier, the specs say different. We tend to have a taller demographic in the USA. Its not too much to ask to add an inch more space, or even a half inch, when the redesign the vette completely, is it? BTW, I am a corvette enthusiast from birth, so there is no other substitute for me! ;}
Most Italians that I know are not tall, hence the Italian car size!!! But, N. Americans are both tall and in many cases big. Why not design a cat that fits them? It can’t be THAT hard!
Don’t fit in a C7 with my head above the windshield and my knees in the dashboard. Doesn’t look like the C8 will be any different and so disappointed. I will have to stick to German cars and the 911 will be my next sports car. Too bad as this was looking real promising.
C8 tour stop at Voss Chevy today, got to see it and sit in it. No problems room wise at all, have plenty of head room and leg room, much more comfortable as well, just did not feel too tight like the C5, C6 and C7. 6′ 6″ tall is no longer a problem! Now just have to save my pennies, make some garage room, uh, and hopefully convince the wife its good for both of us.
Im 6’7” 240, but I workout a lot. I have a small waist, but very broad shoulders. I fit perfect in a C5 Zo6, C6 not enough headroom, C7 no way. I doubt I will be able to fit the C8 and I doubt much can be done aftermarket to fix it, but we shall see.
The only way I can fit in a C7 is if I remove the seat and sit on the floor. But I do fit in an R8, Caymen or 911 without sunroof.
Ok, this is a start for consumer knowledge and helpful to know. Next step needs to be a comparison to Porsche 911-718 models as well as Ferrari 488’s, Lambo models, Audi models, Acura NSX. Anything mid-engined in this drivetrain configuration. Bet you’ll find the C8 to be “roomy” by comparison with more “storage”.
C4ce,
The 911 without the ridiculous sunroof has significantly more room than a C7.
I’M6 FT 6 IN, LONG LEGGED, AND I FIT WELL IN MY C6, WITH A SMALL MOMO STEERIING WHEEL ON A 2 INCH SPACER AND THE SEAT BACK THINNED DOWN ONE INCH.
C7 DASH INTERFERES WITH MY LEFT KNEE. I SAT IN A C8 AND IT FITS WELL. LEGROOM SEEMS GOOD. THE DIMENSIONS DON’T TELL THE REAL STORY – WE’RE ALL DIFFERENT IN PROPORTION, AND DETAILS MATTER.
I JUST ORDERED A C8 Z51 – DUE IN JULY.
Buck,
If you’re only 6ft with long legs, you probably fit in anything including a Miata, so even if you shout it means nothing.
I’m only 6’0″ and have a bad back. With my C-6 I can recline my setback about 15 degrees and still have lots of room to push seat all the way back to the wall behind me.
I tried this with the C-7 and it is too small for me to fit in at my “average” height.
Now, to find out that a C-8 is even a millimeter smaller. is a Giant nGM Joke!
Back to expensive German Cars, but at least they fit me and my giant German friends.
When are the C8 Nurburgring times comming???
Based on the measurement of the tape, Chevrolet’s C8 Corvette design team may have been lying as they were saying how much room the interior of the C8 had over the C7 and yet the opposite is true as the passenger compartment of the C8 is marginally smaller than the car it replaces.
I owned a C5, fit fine in a C6. Sat in a C7 and both my petite wife and I felt claustrophobic in the C7. After putting a deposit on a C8, finally sat in a Dealer Demo. Hip room was not acceptable, Headroom and leg room were fine. I would love to see this comparison include C5 and C6. Looking at used C6 and Mustang convertibles, but really wanted the C8!
For the average built person, it doesn’t mean a hoot. For the large and heavy-set person, maybe.
corvette owners who have trophy wives will have no problems but the ones with 200# plus may get some static
So in the US when a women has proper proportions, that’s considered a trophy wife…?
Just shows how obesity is rampant when the average women is a 200+ lb monster.
hmmm… have been eyeing a corvette since 2008. I just turned 50 in Aug’19 and I thought its time to get party started with a corvette.
I’m 6’3″ and have always driven German made except Tesla. I visited Dublin Chevrolet, sat in C7 and felt very squished all around. Unsure if C8 is going to be any better and its worth a try/wait. Or else, I’m going for anther German made, may be a used 2015 audi r8.
I’m 6-3, 275lbs. and I’ve had every series Corvette C-1 thru C-7, had no problem fitting in any of them. The last few series had so much leg room I could not reach the floor with my feet fully extended! They made them easier to get in when they lowered the sill height. What year was that?
Sorry, just can’t see having a “mid-engine” Corvette. You have many other years that look terrific without having to move the engine. I have a coupe that a larger suitcase fits perfectly in, but now I have to not only split my luggage into two bags, but also have to go into two trunk areas. Simply inconvenient and I will never buy one.