2022 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe

The Chevy Camaro was introduced in 1966 as a challenger for the Ford Mustang. More than 50 years later and the fire of the deep-seated rivalry is still burning. There might have been a temporary break between 2002 and 2010, but that did little to extinguish the flames in the hearts of fans, the Camaro pony car took off once again and has never looked back. The recipe is age-old and relatively simple; an engine up front, a driver in the middle, and drive sent to the rear end. Add to that a choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or eight- or ten-speed automatics and no fewer than three engine options - including a 275-horsepower turbo-four and a 455-hp 6.2L V8 - and the Camaro is the proverbial Build-A-Bear of American automotive glory. Throw in keen driving dynamics, aggressive styling, and, to sate the political types, loads of available convenience and assistance systems, and the modern interpretation of the pony car is better now than it's ever been.

The iconic Camaro design was overhauled in 2016 for a sharper, more aggressive look. Of course, the bowtie brand knew it had to tread lightly with the redesign of the Camaro because it's such a revered piece of history in the USA. Two thin LED headlights are housed beneath the sharply contoured metal and the brutal styling continues at the rear. Oval-shaped taillights are the focus of the rear end and a set of shiny dual-exhaust tips poke out of the bottom. Wheel sizes range from 18 to 20 inches.

The Camaro is slightly larger than the BMW 2 Series in terms of its exterior dimensions, but it's smaller than the Ford Mustang. It has a length of 188.3 inches strewn across a 110.7-inch wheelbase. Broad at the hips, it measures 74.7 inches in width without wing mirrors, and all coupe derivatives stand 53.1 inches tall. Curb weight depends on the engine choice and trim, ranging from the 1LS that weighs in at 3,351 pounds to the 2SS which tips the scales at 3,696 lbs.

Chevrolet makes nine exterior colors available for the Camaro lineup. Six of these are available as standard with a good amount of variety that will appeal to all kinds of tastes. The Red Hot hue does the all-American icon justice but there are multiple understated shades to choose from as well. Summit White, Black, and Satin Steel Metallic should suit the conservatives well, while darker shades like Shadow Gray and Riverside Blue are a little more adventurous. Three Premium shades are available and exclusively reserved for the daring. The only one that remains from last year is the $495 Wild Cherry Tintcoat. Crush (orange) has been replaced by Vivid Orange Metallic and Shock (yellow) is sadly no longer available, with Rapid Blue in its place; these both go for an additional charge of $395. There are also a number of hood and body stripes in different colors to choose from.

The performance of the Chevrolet Camaro will ultimately depend on the powertrain configuration you choose, and with four-, six-, and eight-cylinder options on hand, there's a good spread for most needs. The most laidback performer is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot that manages the run from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds according to independent testing. Upgrading to the 3.6-liter V6 means that your 0-60 mph time will be cut down by less than half a second. The difference between the 2.0-liter turbo and the naturally-aspirated V6 is more relative to overall refinement and sound than actual performance. The V8 in SS and LT1 models, however, vastly improves the eagerness of the Camaro. You can expect a zero to sixty time of around 4.3 seconds in independent tests. The V8 is about more than performance though, but soul. The sound, the way it rips up the rear tires, and the way it makes the best of the GM Alpha platform's sharp handling traits all make this a car worthy of being called a muscle car more than just a pony.

There are three engines and three gearboxes available for the Camaro. The base-level 2.0-liter engine might have half the number of cylinders muscle car buyers want at just four, but it isn't particularly lethargic. It produces 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, so power isn't the problem. The problem is that the four-pot seems like the less appealing step sister in comparison to the available 3.6L V6. That V6, available as an option on the 1LT through 3LT derivatives churns out more power at 335 horses, but a tickle less torque at 284 lb-ft. Both are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but on the auto front, the 2.0T uses an eight-speed while the V6 gets a 10-speed auto.

For full effect, the LT1 and all SS-badged derivatives get a good ol' American V8, a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated motor with 455 hp and 455 lb-ft, paired to the same transmission choices as its six-cylinder counterpart. Naturally, that's the engine we recommend, particularly with the manual, as it suits the character of the Camaro so much better than the smaller engines do, but without giving you too much power to handle.

Some might assume that the Camaro's added heftiness over some rivals will put it at a disadvantage, but its accurate steering feel and big brakes come together so well that it's not a real issue. Each Camaro is engaging to drive regardless of engine choice, though some configurations are ultimately more fun than others. The Camaro has extremely responsive steering that allows you to feel the road beneath you without erring on the harsh side. The suspension is stiff enough to keep it glued down in and out of corners, but it's still got a reasonable amount of comfort to offer. Just don't expect true plushness.

The nice thing about the Camaro is that it doesn't just look fierce, it has the handling characteristics to back it up. The steering is appropriately weighted and its firm suspension combines with that to make a car that's easily commanded. The rear-wheel drivetrain is also a well-set-up system, keeping the Chevy's posterior glued down without sacrificing any thrills along the way, and it'll still break loose when you want it to. The Camaro is a car that delivers the best of both worlds - usable daily but also an absolute joy to drive on a twisting mountain road. There are some optional magnetically controlled dampers that improve the overall quality of the ride, but if you're going for the bigger set of wheels, you can expect some crashiness on rougher surfaces. To a Camaro buyer, this won't matter much, though.

American muscle cars weren't built to sip lightly on the gas, but the Camaro doesn't perform too badly provided you opt for one of the smaller engine configurations. If you value the environment more than noise, the base 2.0T will consume 22/30/25 mpg city/highway/combined with the automatic gearbox and 19/29/22 mpg with the manual. The V6 is a little thirstier. Try 18/29/22 mpg with the auto and 16/26/20 mpg with the manual on for size. However, for many, fun and noise matter more than donations to Greenpeace, and to that end, the V8 will chug 16/26/20 mpg in auto guise and 16/24/19 mpg in manual form. A 19-gallon gas tank on all models means the average range varies anywhere from 361 miles to 475 miles when driven calmly.

Chevrolet ensured that the Camaro's interior wasn't modernized in a way that makes occupants forget its roots. The simple layout and lack of touch-sensitive surfaces will be a win for some, but those who value top-class tech may be slightly disappointed. That being said, the inside is still obviously sporty and those in the front will have plenty of space. Most materials are premium-feeling, but there are some cheaper materials that pop out in certain areas. Competitors like BMW have far better interiors, but that won't matter to the typical muscle car enthusiast. After all, for these buyers, back seats are a formality and performance is the order of the day.

The seating in the Camaro is a mixed bag. The front will provide more than enough space for even taller adults. The seating is supportive and comfortable, making daily driving or even long journeys an acceptable affair. The problem is in the rear. The back seats will manage an adult or two in a pinch, but it's not going to be comfortable by any means. The rear of the Camaro is best for smaller children or as extra storage space. It's here where the Camaro falters, as the Mustang is more spacious, while the Dodge Challenger seems gargantuan in comparison. The tapering rear end of the Camaro also inhibits rearward visibility, which can be a bit of a bug when backing up. Thankfully, a rearview camera is standard.

The Camaro offers excellent performance at a very affordable price, so there has to be a sacrifice made somewhere. We can see what brought the price tag down, and that's by having a look at the abundance of hard plastics. There are some softer materials used for the interior that make up for the cheaper ones. Still, the cloth upholstery on base models is durable and fits well with the style of the interior. The base models offer Jet Black or Ash Gray upholstery. For the 2LT and 3LT, you can opt for the same colors, but Adrenaline Red and Ceramic White are added to the list. Last year's Kalahari is no longer available. The 2LT and 3LT derivatives get leather-clad, heated, and ventilated bucket seats that hug occupants tightly and offer a more performance-focused look. LT1 and 1SS models revert back to the same two color choices as the base model while the 2SS gets these two plus Ceramic White.

When it comes to practicality, the Camaro falls behind its rivals. This is especially true when you look at the limited amount of cargo space it offers. It provides just 9.1 cubic feet of space at the rear, falling vastly behind the BMW 2 Series' 13.8 cubes and the Ford Mustang's 13.5 cubic feet. You still have the option of using the cramped rear seats as an extra means of storing your items, so a few extra bags for two people are manageable. Internal storage is also a little tight, with narrow door pockets, two front cupholders, and an average-sized glovebox, but overall, the Camaro doesn't value practicality as much as it does purpose.

The Camaro may have a "less is more" attitude, but this doesn't necessarily mean that it's lacking any standard features. The entry-level 1LS comes equipped with keyless entry, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-clad multifunction steering wheel, single-zone automatic climate control, and cruise control. The 1LT welcomes a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat and the 2LT adds heating and ventilation to the front seats, leather upholstery, and dual-zone climate control. Added to the 3LT are a digital gauge cluster, a heated steering wheel, the Convenience and Lighting package, a head-up display, rear-cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear park assist, and a rearview mirror camera. 1SS and 2SS models are virtually the same in terms of standard features as their corresponding 1LT and 2LT equivalents with the primary upgrades being under the hood.

The infotainment layout may not be the most attractive, but it's certainly functional. Tech features at the base level are inclusive of a seven-inch touchscreen with full smartphone integration via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Bluetooth streaming and voice recognition are included and a six-speaker sound system is responsible for delivering audio. The 1LT can be upgraded with a bigger eight-inch touchscreen and a nine-speaker sound system when the Technology Package is added, but it only adds SiriusXM as a standard feature. 3LT trims are significantly improved with the addition of an eight-inch touchscreen, a nine-speaker Bose sound system, and an eight-inch digital instrument cluster.

At the time of writing, the 2022 Camaro may be free from recalls, but it has still suffered three for the 2021 MY. These include frivolous issues like the steering wheel emblem breaking - which the NHTSA claims may act as projectiles in the event of a crash - while other issues included incorrect bolts used for the seatbelts and an axle shaft missing a retaining ring. If reliability is a concern, the Camaro comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and the drivetrain warranty is valid for five years or 60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is standard for five years regardless of mileage.

One benefit to Camaro ownership is its excellent safety ratings. In the NHTSA's review of the Chevy Camaro, it gave the pony car a full five-out-of-five stars overall. The IIHS's Camaro review resulted in scores of good in all crash tests except for roof strength where it achieved an 'Average' rating.

The Camaro comes relatively well-stocked with safety features, both traditional and driver-assist. All models come with an eight-airbag system inclusive of front, side-impact, side-curtain, and knee airbags. A rearview camera and Teen Driver system are also included on all trim levels as well as a tire pressure monitoring system. You'll only start to enjoy modern driver-assist from the 3LT upwards. This trim adds forward collision alert, lane change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.

You can't be an American icon for this long with nothing to write home about. The new Chevy Camaro offers a vast variety of configurations that range from 'merely adequate' to 'pure power'. This means that you can put your teenager in one powered by the smaller motor or you can go full-tilt and buy the V8 version for yourself. Of course, the Chevy has its flaws. Its interior has cheaper-looking components and it's not the best looking inside compared to its rivals. It's also the least practical of the contenders in the segment, with a diminutive trunk and very little space in the rear. That being said, it has a whole lot of stuff to love. It's an engaging car to drive regardless of powertrain configuration, it looks good, and it won't break the bank, even in its more feature-filled configurations. A Mustang may be better on paper, but the Camaro seems a lot truer to its history as a sports car, and for that, it deserves all the love it's bound to get.

The price of the Chevrolet Camaro is affordable enough to steal sales away from rivals on this aspect alone. This is one of the departments in which it has the upper hand. The 1LS has a starting MSRP of $25,000 with the manual transmission, increasing to $26,495 with the automatic transmission. The 1LT is available in a number of configurations, the cheapest being the 2.0-liter turbo with the manual transmission. It has a base price of $25,500 in this form, but with the V6 and ten-speed automatic gearbox, this rises to $28,690. The price of the Camaro in 2LT guise ranges between $27,500 to $30,690. While the 3LT sees prices range from between $31,500 to $34,690 depending on the configuration. The cheapest LT1 costs $34,000 while adding the automatic transmission pushes the price up to $35,595. The 1SS hikes the MSRP up to $39,095 with the automatic and the 2SS costs $44,095 with the same transmission. The cost of the Camaro is exclusive of a $1,195 destination fee. All of these prices, as well as the destination fee, have remained the same as last year's.

There are seven trims in the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe lineup, namely 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, LT1, 1SS, and 2SS.

The only engine available for the 1LS is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and this model comes as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels and LED daytime running lights. Standard equipment includes a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel, eight-way electrical adjustment for the driver's seat, keyless entry, and cruise control. The infotainment system has a seven-inch screen and includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as Bluetooth streaming. The default audio system has six speakers.

The 1LT is very similarly equipped, but adds six-way power adjustment for the passenger seat, as well as SiriusXM. More importantly, it unlocks various options not available on the 1LS and it gives access to the V6 engine.

The 2LT adds heating and ventilation to the front seats, as well as dual-zone climate control, and leather upholstery.

The 3LT is a bigger step up and additionally gets a heated steering wheel, enhanced interior lighting, a rearview mirror camera, a head-up display, rear park sensors, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. An eight-inch digital gauge cluster is added, as are illuminated vanity mirrors. The infotainment screen is upgraded to eight inches and the audio system is a nine-speaker Bose setup.

Another notch higher is the LT1 trim that mostly mimics the specification level of the 1LT, but with the distinction of bringing with it the 6.2-liter V8 engine, 20-inch alloy wheels, black bowtie badges, and Brembo front brakes.

The 1SS models are virtually the same as the 1LT, spec-wise, but a host of performance-focused enhancements are added, including a cooling system with an increased capacity, a rear differential cooler, a transmission oil cooler, and upgraded Brembo brakes front and rear.

Last is the 2SS trim, which is mostly the same as the 2LT in terms of standard features. Over and above the 1SS, it adds auto-dimming exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with a memory function, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, aluminum interior trim, the nine-speaker Bose audio system, forward-collision alert, lane-change alert, blind-spot alert, a rear camera mirror, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display.

True to form, Chevrolet makes a host of optional add-ons available for the Camaro models. Base models offer a Body-Color Spoiler with Wicker package for $1,175 that adds a rear blade spoiler with a wicker bill. You can also opt for the Black Interior Appearance package that adds black interior bits to the inside for $715. To the 1LT, you can add the Redline Edition package for $2,565 that adds red knee pads and seat belts, unique exterior badging, and run-flat tires, or the $1,950 RS Package which adds black bowtie emblems to the front and rear, tints the taillights, and adds a spoiler to the rear. Last year's Track Performance Package is no longer offered. The 1LT can get any of three Design Package options that vary in price from $2,145 to $5,595 and contains items like special floor mats, wheel center caps, fender badges and hash marks, center stripes, fuel-filler doors, a ground-effect kit, interior knee pads, and more. The Shock and Steel package that used to be available from 2LT level is no longer available. The $7,000 SS 1LE Track Performance Package was available for lower trims last year, but the first trim to get access to it for the 2022 model year is the SS. It adds Recaro bucket seats, a rear spoiler, black hood wrap, and magnetic ride control.

The best Camaro for you will ultimately depend on what you need from it. Ultimately, Chevrolet makes it easy to get a big engine and little else, which is awfully tempting from where we sit. That's why we'd look at the LT1, which gets all the V8, but few of the frills. It also keeps the price low. We'd stick with the manual here and just enjoy the noise and engagement. If you insist on a little more luxury, however, and possibly less noise, the LT3 gets all the trimmings but the 2.0T and V6 engines instead, giving you the comfort and convenience you want, without the hair-raising speed to accompany it. If money is no object, the 1SS or 2SS are great, with additional performance, and in the case of the latter, a ton of comfort and safety systems that make the Camaro a true all-rounder.

It's no secret that these two cars have been rivals for a very long time; that's why the Camaro name was given the fictitious definition of a small animal that eats horses. The two muscle cars have been battling it out for the affection of American hearts since the sixties, and the fight is still going today. They both offer a vast amount of different engine options, though the Mustang's base-level 310-hp four-pot is more powerful. The Mustang's V8 is also more powerful than that of the Camaro. They are similar in terms of standard safety features, but the Camaro's interior is not as impressive as the Mustang in terms of looks, features, or practicality. That being said, some are of the opinion that the Camaro is more fun to drive, and we happen to fall in that camp. It's tighter to sit in, but tighter on the road as well, feeling more nimble and eager to reward the driver. The Mustang offers more refinement and power, which will make it the better car for those who value those aspects, but as a driver's tool, the Chevy edges this competition.

The American muscle car world is tough, just look at the competition between the Camaro and the Challenger. Both offer a variety of engines and transmissions to choose from, although the Challenger would never be caught dead with a four-cylinder under its hood. Instead it gets a weaker V6 engine as standard and two optional V8s, straddling the outputs of the Camaro's own V8. But the biggest difference between the two is that the Camaro is still a pony car - small, nimble, and more sports car-like - while the Challenger is a more traditional muscle car - larger, cushier, and less agile. The Dodge may only be a two-door coupe, but the back seats are genuinely usable, and the trunk is cavernous by comparison. If you want a sports car, the Camaro is your choice, but if you like laidback power and chilled cruising with a V8 soundtrack and space for all your rifles and barbecue gear, the Challenger will be the one to pick.