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While it might seem a strange match up, the comparison between the Corvette C5 and the Toyota Prius is an interesting one. Sure, in nearly every way you can’t find two cars that are more different. That sort of contrast, though, leads to some interesting conclusions.

Similar Purchase Cost

A Corvette C5 can be bought for about $25,000. That’s about the same price as a Toyota Prius.  So, in this aspect the two cars can be considered equals.  

The Comparison

Two drivers took their cars on a drive from Fort Lee, New Jersey to Bear Mountain State Park on the Palisades Parkway (forty two point seven miles) to compare gas mileage. One driver was in a C5 Corvette, while the other drove a Toyota Prius. The Corvette did the drive on 1.402 gallons of gas. That translates to 30.4 miles per gallon. The Prius did the same drive on 1.083 gallons of gas for 39.4 miles per gallon.

Beyond the Gas Mileage

Looking past the gas mileage question, though, the two cars are quite different. The Corvette C5 is designed as a sports car and has an eight cylinder high performance engine. That means it will accelerate and run much faster than the Prius with its hybrid engine. Interestingly enough, though, the Corvette has a drag coefficient of .29 versus the Prius’ .26. The coefficient of drag is a number that refers to how aerodynamic a car is; the lower the number, the more aerodynamic. If you are someone who puts a lot of value on high tech gadgetry and the latest technology, the Prius wins in that aspect, too.

The Final Analysis

Sure, the Prius beats the Corvette for gas mileage. To be fair, the 30.4 miles per gallon was achieved by driving the ‘Vette in a specific way to maximize the mileage, too. You really don’t buy a Corvette to be fuel efficient, though. It’s really an interesting assessment that it can come close to a Prius at all. The real question then, comes down to your preferences. If you are a person who wants to feel like they are doing something for the environment (and indeed look like you are) and who wants to be on the edge of new technology, the Toyota Prius is probably the car for you. However, if you prefer classic American sports car styling and power, get the Corvette and feel good about the fact that you can still get over 30 miles to the gallon with an American made V8 engine.

 

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