Overview & Reviews

For most of the past four decades, the Chevrolet Camaro has been the poster car of young (and not so young) speed freaks and boulevardiers alike. You know, the type of folks who value the rumble and thrust of a small-block V8 and sleek styling as much as would-be Hollywood starlets value a photo op.

Starting out in the late 1960s as an answer to Ford's Mustang, the original Chevrolet Camaro could be had in coupe or convertible form and with six-cylinder or V8 power. Forty years and five generations later, the concept really hasn't changed, as the current Chevrolet Camaro also can be had in coupe or convertible form with six-cylinder or V8 power. It even looks similar and carries the classic Camaro qualities of tire-spinning performance and a reasonable base price. But this is a thoroughly modern car that makes for a decent everyday driver, despite some significant practical drawbacks.

Current Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is available as a two-door coupe or convertible and in five trim levels: base LS, midgrade LT, high-performance SS and hyper-performance ZL1 and Z/28. The LS comes standard with niceties like alloy wheels and air-conditioning, to which the LT adds power seats and a touchscreen with smartphone integration. The V8-powered SS includes a limited-slip differential and a sport-tuned suspension. The ZL1 boasts a variety of performance parts like Brembo brakes and adaptive suspension dampers, plus standard leather upholstery and Boston Acoustics audio. The hard-core, coupe-only Z/28, on the other hand, has a race-ready suspension and modifications for reduced weight.

The Camaro LS and LT pack a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 323 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the V6, and a six-speed automatic is available. The Camaro SS is equipped with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The manual-gearbox SS cranks out 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, with the automatic version tuned to "just" 400 hp and 410 lb-ft. Offering the same transmission choices, the Camaro ZL1 gets a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter V8 good for 580 hp and 556 lb-ft of torque. The Z/28, which is 300 pounds lighter than the ZL1, employs a 505-hp 7.0-liter V8 and comes only with the six-speed manual.

On the road, any of these Camaros will provide brisk performance, a reasonably compliant ride (though the Z/28 is significantly firmer) and respectable handling, while the V8-powered versions should satisfy the most ardent acceleration addicts. The ZL1 and especially the Z/28 are astoundingly capable on a racetrack with their special suspensions. However, in day-to-day driving, the poor outward visibility, mediocre cabin trim, cramped backseat and tiny, oddly shaped trunk opening could be deal-breakers. As such, we'd advise potential buyers to also consider the Camaro's equally classic competitors, the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang.

Used Chevrolet Camaro Models
After a seven-year hiatus, the Camaro returned for 2010. In that first year, the Camaro was offered as a coupe only, and the V6 engine produced 304 hp. The next year saw the convertible's introduction and a bump up to 312 horses for the V6. It reached its current output for 2012, which also saw the introduction of the ZL1 and a number of noteworthy changes to the cabin. Camaros produced prior to this suffered from an oddly shaped steering wheel and gauges that were hard to read. For 2014 the Camaro introduced revised styling (including one-piece taillights that replaced the original double-rectangle design) and the debut of the Z/28.

Running from 1993-2002, the previous Camaro generation continued the age-old tradition of performance and style above all else. Initially just a coupe body style was offered in base and Z28 trims, the former coming with a 3.4-liter V6 (160 hp) and the latter with an LT1 5.7-liter V8 (275 hp). Transmission choices included a five-speed manual (V6), a six-speed manual (V8) and a four-speed automatic.

The following year saw the return of the ragtop, while 1995 brought a 3.8-liter, 200-hp V6 for the base Camaro. For 1996 the Z28 had 285 hp and the SS trim was reincarnated, complete with a 305-hp version of the 5.7-liter V8. A midcycle refresh took place for 1998 with a new front-end look and powerful new LS1 5.7 V8s for the Z28 (305 hp) and SS (320 hp). Apart from minor trim differences and a bump in power for the Z28 in 2001 to 310 hp, the Camaro soldiered through 2002 mostly unchanged. That last year also marked the Camaro's 35th birthday, which was celebrated with a 35th-anniversary SS.

Although fast, stylish and affordable, this Chevy Camaro was lacking in terms of refinement, particularly in regards to the interior. The clunky steering wheel design was about as sporty as a taxicab's and there was an abundance of low-grade plastic trim. Furthermore, the seats were rather plain and short on lumbar and lateral support. On the upside were the large gauges, decent cargo capacity and buttoned-down handling (though midcorner bumps could upset the solid rear axle suspended out back).

Consumer feedback is mostly favorable toward Camaros from this era. Praises center on the strong performance (even with the V6) for the money, relatively good fuel economy, mechanical reliability, cargo capacity, handling and styling. Chief complaints concern cheap interior construction, a smallish interior considering the body size and occasionally leaky T-tops.

For more information on these and even older Chevrolet Camaros, go to our Chevrolet Camaro history page.

User Reviews:

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  I love my Transformers Edition! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Angi - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I got Bumblebee for my 40th birthday. Yes my husband is amazing! It was a display car, they showed it in several places around Atlanta. I love love love this car! I am 411" and thought I wouldnt be comfortable in it, WRONG! It is amazing. I am used to seat belts being uncomfortable, so I have learned how to live with that. I have had more people stop me and tell me how awesome it is! It is fast and pretty comfortable to me. I have no regrets! I have seen the complaints about the paint, I have had no troubles. Saw the complaints about the leg room and trunk opening, it is not meant to be a family car! I love the reactions that I get from kids, they think it is the real Bumblebee!

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  The Batmobile? - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Paul Wernich - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Its now been 6 months and 11,000 miles since I purchased my silver Camaro. I still get loads of stares and complements, I feel like a celebrity. Still getting about 24 mpg with a mix of city/highway driving. Handling/ride is pleasant over smooth surfaces but becomes unsettled and even jarring on rough surfaces (it feels as though the rear axle is breaking in two). The windshield began cracking for no apparent reason and the dealer replaced it at no charge under warranty. The paint continues to chip/nick very easily especially on the front end (an aftermarket bodyshop told me automakers are using a less durable/more environmental friendly paint. Radio plate sometimes fogs up from humidity.

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  Head Turner - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Russ - September 11 - 2:00 am

  This car does everything you would want a car to do. When driving you will notice a lot of people looking your way. The car is surprisingly more quiet than most of any sport cars I have ever had in the past. Also has very good response for maneuvering around corners and curves.

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  ouch - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By steve bruni - September 9 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car cheaply, as a project, but o boy. after spending $6000.00 in parts and repairs plus countless hours of my own labor, it is in the shop, 3rd one counting chevy dealer who could not find the cause of intermittent surging and stalling. after replacing every ignition part from the opti to coil plugs wires alternator on and on, when it runs its like a dream, but how many times can you go out and need a tow before you give up? if this guy cant fix it - hes had it for 3 days now, by tomorrow, Im off to a dealer to lose thousands on a trade-in and buying a vette. at least when i blow my money Ill have a real car. by the way, this is my 6th and last-worst camaro. lol

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  Somehow i love it - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By plsgofaster - September 7 - 6:27 pm

  My dad gave me this car a year ago. Its performance isnt impressive 0-60. In quite a while (10.3 sec) it was comfortable until the padding "parted" around the frame of the seat. The build quality is sub-par the interior made of the worlds cheapest plastics is coming apart piece by piece. The power locks work 30% of the time the Windows barley work, but the engine keeps going. Im getting 160 miles a tank the mpg is dreadful. Its expensive to insure because its a sports car even though it barley moves. However the exterior is a triumph in styling 10 out of 10. I cant explain why but I love this car and I love driving it. Maybe its the t-tops.

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  Truly in Love - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By CVega - September 5 - 8:11 pm

  I have a Black 2011 2SS with the RS package with the Inferno Orange interior. This car nails the WOW factor to the max. I see younger kids taking pictures with their cellphones, older ladies pull their husbands shirts to look at my Camaro. I am truly in love, I cannot wait to get out of work just do drive it. The ride is really smooth, has a solid feel like a BMW 750 which I owned. It is very very fast, however because of the smooth ride it doesnt feel as fast. The HUD came in handy for that problem. The only reason I am not driving this instant is because I have a horrible cold. I recommend it to all. Great alternative to Viagra.

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  Amazing car - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jeremey - September 1 - 12:58 am

  This car is amazing! Being able to have this much power AND decent gas mileage blows me away. I get looks everywhere I go and people are always asking about my car! No regrets here!

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  Best Birthday ever! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SweetMar - August 31 - 10:32 pm

  My husband bought my Camaro for my birthday. (no ladies - you CANNOT have him!) I have had it for one year, and living in Western New York means I can only drive it 7 months out of the year. But during those months it is my "every day driver." I get lots of thumbs up, or people mouthing "nice car" to me as Im driving. My husband says Im the "coolest, hottest Gramma in town". Im 54 and love every minute Im in this car.

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  great car - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JFrazier - August 31 - 11:19 am

  I purchase my camaro about 3 week ago and this is a very find car to drive I love this car, I watch this car come up from Clay. The people who built this car did a very good job, when I am out in my car people tell me how great this car look. I love the v8 power you get in this car the best I ever had, I drove my camaro out on a country road at speed of 120 it was like I was going 70 mph just cruising, motor sound good. Perform great at that speed. I was surprise at the way this car perform, the fuel is not bad but I do used super unleaded and nothing else. The stereo sound good, the seats are ok but creak sometime, the dash lighting is nice the ac is cold being here in Texas at 100 degree

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  2011 Camaro 2SS 6-speed manual - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By bas - August 29 - 10:08 am

  This vehicle is all that it was cracked up to be. Wonderful exterior styling and lines, a well crafted interior that pays nice homage to the early Camaros and FREAKISHLY strong power to accelerate. 6-spd manual transmission mates well with the engine and is fun to drive. Handling is tight and responsive. Fuel economy is as promised (about 24 mpg hwy). If driven modestly in town around 19/20 mpg. One nice addition for the 2011 - and one which I waited for - is the HUD. Nicely done and it subtly reminds you of your speed and RPM without having to take eyes off road. Gauges, leather and interior lighting are a nice mix of retro and European touches. Well done Chevy! Happy!