The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 gets 15 MPG combined. It’s not designed as a commuter, grocery-getter, or a daily driver. It’s built for track days and weekend drives, designed to offer powerful thrills and lap times that beat cars costing twice as much. Buyers are more likely comparing it to a Ferrari 296 GTB or Porsche 911 GT3 than a Prius and accept the Z06’s fuel consumption as the price for its performance and affordability.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Z06’s city fuel economy at 12 MPG. Fast starts from stoplights, exploring the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8’s high RPM range, and traffic will contribute to this. On the highway, the Z06 gets a rated 21 MPG. This assumes consistent speed. Accelerating to pass will reduce that number. The shorter gearing that makes the Z06’s engine responsive at high speeds reduces fuel mileage, even at cruising speeds.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates that the annual fuel cost for the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is $3,850. This is based on 15,000 miles per year, with 55% in the city and 45% on the highway. It also uses the national average fuel price when calculated (which fluctuates). While a large sum, Z06 owners are not focused on fuel costs when considering the overall cost and satisfaction. They want to see all Chevrolet fuel economy data, but they understand this car is not intended to lead in this category.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standard, but real-world fuel economy for the Z06 depends on driving. A driver who often goes to the track or pushes the engine on back roads will likely see numbers below the EPA estimates.

However, a driver who uses the Z06 for highway driving and drives efficiently may approach the 21 MPG highway figure. Do not expect “good” fuel economy from a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 producing 670 horsepower. For fuel economy data across all years, researching previous versions of the car can be helpful.

How it compares

The Z06’s fuel economy is poor compared to its rivals. The Porsche 911 GT3 gets a slightly better 15 MPG city and 18 MPG combined, because of its smaller engine. The Ferrari 296 GTB, with its hybrid powertrain, gets better fuel economy, estimated at 18 MPG combined, though it is much more expensive. The standard Corvette Stingray with the Z51 package achieves a better 19 MPG combined, which shows the Z06’s focus on performance. These comparisons are less important to the Z06 buyer, who accepts the fuel economy in exchange for the driving experience at its price.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The Z06 isn’t designed for fuel efficiency, but these techniques can help increase miles per gallon. Avoid quick acceleration and hard braking. Smooth inputs will improve fuel economy and the driving experience on public roads. The Z06 rewards precision.

Use the driving modes. “Weather” or “Tour” will soften the throttle response and optimize the engine and transmission for relaxed driving. While sacrificing power, these modes can make a difference in fuel consumption.

Maintain tire pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder. Check your tire pressures and ensure they are at the levels on the door jamb sticker for efficiency and performance.

Avoid downshifting for engine braking unnecessarily. While the Z06’s engine sounds great when revved, downshifts waste fuel. Coast whenever possible, and only downshift when needed for corner entry or acceleration.