Best of 2014 cars

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Price: $51, 995

Truth be told, the Corvette Stingray could have won our award for value. It might sound funny, but this is basically a half-price supercar. Even with all the speed options the price is less than $61, 000, and, thus equipped, the Stingray will hang corner for corner with the best sports cars in the world—and even manage to leave a few behind. But performance, of course, is a much more logical accolade for the new Vette. Going fast dominates every aspect of the car's design. The interior, for example, has buttons for the important controls and GM's brightest digital-instrument-cluster display—both are features that facilitate speed. And all those scoops and vents on the outside are functional, letting the car breathe and reducing drag at the same time. But if looking at the Stingray made our jaws drop, driving it left us utterly speechless. It's not just the figures the Corvette can achieve in acceleration, braking, or lateral grip, it's the way this car feels fun at every mph. Zero to 60 in 3.8 seconds is certainly impressive, but making a car that's also responsive, predictable, and accessible to every driver, from novice to pro, is something special. This might be the world's best sports car.

Cornering Made Easy Much of our amazement with the Stingray comes from the optional electronic limited-slip rear differential. A computer-controlled clutch pack constantly adjusts the amount of locking between the rear wheels—open for better handling in tight spaces, closed for more stability in long, fast corners. It works so well that we're wondering if GM's engineers moonlight as magicians.