U.S. supercars Corvette ZR1 vs. Acura NSX

Future classics. The 2017 Acura NSX, left, and 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 look down Woodward at daybreak during Detroit Dream Cruise week. They are the only supercars made in the United States by major manufacturers.

The mid-engine Acura NSX may be easier to drive than the front-engine Corvette ZR1, but the latter's massive hatchback cargo space makes it a more convenient trip car.

The more track-focused Corvette ZR1, left, comes with more aero tricks than the Acura NSX — like a broad front splitter that is easily dragged on a steep driveway.

No frunk here. Under the hood, the Acura NSX front compartment is occupied by twin motors driving the front wheels and a giant engine radiator.

With its more complicated hybrid powertrain, the Acura NSX supercar, left, is $40K more expensive than the $120,000, push-rod V8-powered Chevy Corvette ZR1.

King Cruise. The 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 draws a crowd on Woodward during Cruise week.

At Grattan Raceway outside Grand Rapids, the 2017 Acura NSX poses with purpose-built, mid-engine race cars. With its engine in the middle of the car, the Acura features beautifully balanced handling.

Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne wheeled the 2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 around town from the Woodward Dream Cruise to the M1 Concourse test track in Pontiac.

Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne took the 2017 Nouvelle Blue Pearl Acura NSX on a classics tour from the Detroit Dream Cruise to the VSCDA historic car races at Grattan Raceway near Grand Rapids.

With 755-horsepower, the Chevy Corvette ZR1 is handy for quick trips to Woodward to get ice cream.

The 2017 Acura NSX is the second generation of the Acura supercar. With an AWD, electric-hybrid, turbo-V6 powertrain and dual-clutch, nine-speed transmission, it is the most sophisticated car that Honda Motor Company has built.

So large is the Corvette ZR1's supercharger that Chevy designers just cut a hole through the hood to help it fit. The supercharged V-8 boasts 755-horsepower, but the 'Vette is illegal in Europe where it violates pedestrian-protection hood laws.

Mounted amidships, the 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 in the Acura NSX is mated with a 1.3 kWh battery pack to produce 573 horsepower. With power distributed to Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the NSX hits 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds.

The interior of the Corvette ZR1 is a comfortable place to be with state-of-the-art electronics, leather-and-felt materials, and two passenger oh-crap handles for when the driver is seized by the red mist. A seven-speed manual controls the 6.2-liter V-8 out front.

The Alcantara felt and leather interior of the Acura NSX features Acura signatures like a "trigger" electronic transmission. A giant knob in the center of the console controls Drive modes.

Though its access is blocked a bit by a giant rear wing bolted to the chassis, the Corvette ZR1's cargo hold is deep. Three small suitcases can easily fit back here — and more. Credit the front-engine architecture.

Where's the luggage go? Trunk space in the AWD, mid-engine Acura NSX is limited. An athletic bag fits — but a small suitcase or golf bag would be a tight fit.

Though its powertrain lacks the sophistication of the hybrid Acura NSX, the Corvette's interior electronics and ergonomics are top shelf — from Cadillac-inspired head-up display to standard smartphone connectivity to blindspot assist.

The Acura NSX features an all-digital instrument display — though its digital infotainment display lags the Corvette in usability and speed.

Where's the tread? The Corvette ZR1's sticky rubber is practically slick — save the three grooves in the middle of the tire.

Track-focus. With a big wing helping to generate up to 1,000-pounds of downforce, the stiffly-sprung Corvette ZR1, left, will leave the Acura NSX behind on the track. The NSX, however, is an easier daily driver.