Chevrolet Camaro (Gen 6)

Chevrolet Camaro (Gen 6)

Model Years Produced: 2016 to 2024

Summary

The 6th-generation Camaro is possibly the best case of “don’t judge a book by its cover” in the automotive industry. While certainly a cool vehicle, it undeniably looks like a traditional muscle car, and it carries the nameplate of one too. With that comes connotations of being fast in a straight line but falling to pieces the moment it encounters a corner…but nothing could be further from the truth. The modern Camaro is an extraordinarily capable performance car, able to carve canyons and chew up tracks with the best of the German sports cars while blasting out the kind of noise that can only be made with an American small-block V8.

Although 4, 6, and 8-cylinder engines are all available, it’s the V8s that are the truly desirable versions of the Camaro. The “SS” is perhaps the most well-known and is also probably the most usable on a day-to-day basis, with a good mix of both performance and comfort features. For those wanting more, a 650-horsepower “ZL1” trim level is available that shares its supercharged V8 with the C7 Corvette Z06. Both the SS and ZL1 are available with a “1LE” package that adds performance goodies to make them more capable on the track.

2019 featured a major midcycle refresh for the Camaro. The new grille for the 2019 SS trim levels was so universally panned that Chevrolet updated the design again for 2020. Fortunately, the other changes were more positively received: an updated interior with Chevrolet MyLink 3, a new 10-speed automatic instead of the less popular 8-speed, and improved driver assistance options.

Sadly, Chevrolet is killing the Camaro after the 2024 model year, with no word on if or when or how it will reappear.

Primary Criticisms

Major

  • Terrible visibility

Minor

  • Cheap interior
  • Rear seats are useless for anything other than storage
  • ZL1 1LE has brutally stiff suspension (the SS 1LE and base ZL1 are much more livable)

Warranty

Information is as of 2022 model year

New

  • Limited: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Powertrain: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • Emissions: 8 years/80,000 miles
  • Corrosion Protection: 3 years/36,000 miles
  • Rust-Through Protection: 6 years/100,000 miles
  • Roadside Assistance: Yes
  • Maintenance: 1 service visit
  • Courtesy Transportation: Yes

Certified Pre-Owned

  • Repair Deductible: $0 per visit
  • Limited: 1 year/12,000 miles extension to new vehicle warranty
  • Powertrain: 6 years/100,000 miles from original in-service date
  • Roadside Assistance: Yes
  • Complimentary Maintenance: 2 visits

LT1

The LT1 is the entry point for people who want to get into a V8 Camaro. It’s barebones on features compared to the SS trims, but for those who just want small-block Chevy V8 noises, it does the job and it does it well.

Option Packages

The LT1 Camaro is available with several option packages to add some of the features that are available as standard on the higher SS trims:

  • Technology Package (+$900): SiriusXM w/ 12 month trial, Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus w/ 8″ infotainment display, Bose premium audio system
  • RS Package (+$1495): 20″ wheels, “signature” LED lighting, dark tint tail lamps, black Chevrolet emblems, RS-specific front grilles, decklid lip spoiler on coupe models, body-color sharkfin antenna on coupe models
  • Redline Edition (+$2390): Appearance package which includes 20″ black wheels with red accents, black Camaro badge with red outline, “Redline” graphics, red seat belts, red knee pads, lower grille with red inserts

Reviews

N/A

Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible (soft top)
  • Engine: GM LT1 – 6.2L V8
  • Horsepower: 455 hp
  • Torque: 455 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Ford-GM 10L80 10-speed automatic, Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD w/ standard mechanical limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 19 comb / 16 city / 24 hwy

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3619 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 251.5 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 9.1 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $37045

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3865 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 235.4 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $43045

SS

There are two trim levels of the “SS” Camaro: 1SS and 2SS.

1SS Features

The 1SS adds the following over the LT1:

  • Additional engine and transmission cooling
  • Rear differential cooler
  • 4-piston rear brake calipers
  • Dark tint tail lamps
  • Rear stanchion spoiler
  • 8″ driver information center
  • Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus w/ 8″ infotainment display

2SS Features

The 2SS adds the following over the 1SS:

  • Heated side mirrors w/ driver-side auto-dimming
  • Mirror and driver seat position memory settings
  • Heated & ventilated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Aluminum interior trim
  • Illuminated sill plates
  • Interior ambient lighting
  • Bose premium audio system
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Wireless charger
  • Heads-up display
  • Digital rearview mirror
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane departure warning w/ blind spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert

1LE Package

The “SS 1LE Track Performance Package,” more commonly referred to as just the “1LE” package, includes a number of desirable performance features:

  • Performance-tuned suspension with magnetic ride control dampers
  • Electronic limited-slip differential
  • Brembo 6-piston monobloc 2-piece front and 4-piston rear brakes
  • 285/30R20 front & 305/30R20 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 summer tires with forged aluminum wheels
  • Dual-mode exhaust with quad exhaust tips
  • Black front splitter
  • Rear spoiler in satin black
  • Satin black hood wrap
  • Recaro front performance bucket seats
  • Sueded microfiber-wrapped shift knob and flat-bottom steering wheel
  • Heads-up display on 1SS (standard on 2SS)
  • Tire inflator kit
  • 2.85 rear axle ratio on automatic transmission vehicles

The 1LE package is not available on convertible models, and it can be optioned on both 1SS and 2SS trim levels. It costs $7000.

Reviews


Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible (soft top)
  • Engine: GM LT1 – 6.2L V8
  • Horsepower: 455 hp
  • Torque: 455 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Ford-GM 10L80 10-speed automatic, Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD w/ standard mechanical limited-slip differential, electronic limited-slip differential optional (not available on convertibles)
  • Fuel Economy: 19 comb / 16 city / 24 hwy

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3685 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 246.9 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 9.1 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $40545 (1SS) / $45940 (2SS)

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 3932 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 231.4 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $46545 (1SS) / $51940 (2SS)

ZL1

The ZL1 is a monster of a car, packing the same supercharged “LT4” V8 found under the hood of the C7 Corvette Z06. It competes directly with the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the Mustang Shelby GT350, though it is a far better performance car than the Challenger and is far more powerful than the GT350 (and especially the GT350’s replacement, the Mach 1).

1LE Package

The “ZL1 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package,” more commonly referred to as just the “1LE” package, includes a number of desirable performance features:

  • Performance-tuned suspension with DSSV dampers, adjustable camber plates, 3-position rear stabilizer bars, and front spring seats
  • 305/30R19 front & 325/30R19 rear Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer tires with 19″ forged aluminum wheels
  • Front dive planes
  • Unique front splitter
  • Carbon-fiber weave hood insert
  • Carbon-fiber weave rear spoiler
  • Satin black hood wrap
  • Dark tail lamps
  • Gloss-black side mirrors
  • Red brake calipers

The 1LE package is not available on convertible models. It costs $7500.

Reviews


Specifications

  • Body Style(s): Coupe, Convertible (soft top)
  • Engine: GM LT4 – 6.2L V8 supercharged
  • Horsepower: 650 hp
  • Torque: 650 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Ford-GM 10L90 10-speed automatic, Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual
  • Drivetrain: RWD, coupes have standard electronic limited-slip differential, convertibles have standard mechanical limited-slip differential
  • Fuel Economy: 16 comb / 14 city / 20 hwy

Coupe

  • Curb Weight: 3907 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 332.7 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 9.1 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $69640

Convertible

  • Curb Weight: 4120 lbs
  • Power-to-Weight: 315.5 hp/ton
  • Cargo Capacity: 7.3 cu ft
  • Starting Price: $75245