Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Chevrolet CORVETTE VS 2015 Audi RS Near Phoenix, AZ

The Corvette has standard OnStar ®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The RS 5 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Corvette and the RS 5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and daytime running lights.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Corvette 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the RS 5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the RS 5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Chevrolet pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corvette for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Chevrolet will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the RS 5.

There are over 16 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corvette’s warranty.

The RS 5’s redline is at 8400 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Corvette has a 6500 to 6600 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 7th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 16th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 9th in reliability, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 14th.

The Corvette’s standard 6.2 V8 produces 5 more horsepower (455 vs. 450) and 143 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 317) than the RS 5’s 4.2 DOHC V8. The Corvette’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 10 more horsepower (460 vs. 450) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 317) than the RS 5’s 4.2 DOHC V8. The Corvette Z06’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 200 more horsepower (650 vs. 450) and 333 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 317) than the RS 5’s 4.2 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Corvette Z06 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Audi RS 5 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Corvette Auto with its standard engine gets better highway fuel mileage than the RS 5 Coupe Auto (16 city/29 hwy vs. 16 city/23 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Corvette’s fuel efficiency. The RS 5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Corvette uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The RS 5 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Corvette has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 5 (18.5 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Corvette has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RS 5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the Corvette Z07’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RS 5:

The Corvette stops much shorter than the RS 5:

For better traction, the Corvette Z06’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RS 5 (F:285/30R19 & R:335/25R20 vs. 275/30R20).

The Corvette Z06’s 335/25R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 25 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RS 5’s optional 30 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Corvette can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RS 5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Corvette offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The RS 5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Corvette’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the RS 5’s (57.3% to 42.7%). This gives the Corvette more stable handling and braking.

The Corvette Z06 Coupe handles at 1.19 G’s, while the RS 5 Coupe pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Corvette Z06 Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the RS 5 Coupe (22.3 seconds @ 1.06 average G’s vs. 24.8 seconds @ .8 average G’s).

The Chevrolet Corvette may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 850 pounds less than the Audi RS 5.

The Corvette is 6.1 inches shorter than the RS 5, making the Corvette easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Chevrolet Corvette amounts to more than styling. The Corvette has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the RS 5 (.32 to .34). A more efficient exterior helps the Corvette go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Corvette get better fuel mileage.

The Corvette Coupe has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom and .9 inches more front shoulder room than the RS 5 Coupe.

The Corvette Coupe has a much larger trunk than the RS 5 Coupe (15 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

The Corvette Auto offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The RS 5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Corvette’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Corvette’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The RS 5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Corvette offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The RS 5 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Keyless Access standard on the Corvette allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Audi RS 5’s Audi Advanced Key doesn’t unlock the trunk.

When the Corvette with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The RS 5’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard Chevrolet MyLink for the Corvette allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including reading text messages aloud, playing internet radio stations and other connected activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The RS 5 doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

Insurance will cost less for the Corvette owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corvette will cost $2335 to $8260 less than the RS 5 over a five-year period.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Corvette will be $4313 to $23431 less than for the Audi RS 5.

The Chevrolet Corvette has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corvette first among midsize premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The RS 5 isn’t in the top three.

Both the Corvette Coupe and Convertible are ranked first in their classes and received the 2015 “Total Quality Award.” The RS 5 is not ranked.

The Corvette was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 12 of the last 18 years. The RS 5 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Corvette was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 11 years. The RS 5 has never been an “All Star.”

The Corvette was selected by Automobile Magazine as their 2014 Car of the Year. The RS 5 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Corvette as the 2014 North American Car of the Year. The RS 5 has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Corvette outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by 47% during the 2015 model year.