2022 Chevrolet Camaro

By New Car Test Drive May 27, 2022

The Chevrolet Camaro is an American icon, a sporty coupe or convertible available in a wide array of configurations. None are slow and those with V-8 engines are downright fast – and they are polished performers on a winding road, too.

This year, Chevy has made the performance-oriented 1LE package available on the V-8-powered Camaro SS and ZL1.

Chevy fits a wide range of 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder engines under the Camaro’s hood, ranging from a 275-hp turbo-4 up to a 650-hp supercharged V-8 in the ZL1. Most mere mortals will be happy with the 455-hp V-8 in the Camaro SS, either with a hardtop or the infinite head room offered by the convertible.

With the base engine, the Camaro can be an acceptable commuter thanks to an EPA rating of 22 mpg city, 30 highway, 25 combined with the automatic, or 19/29/22 mpg with the manual. V-6s are thirstier, so figure on 18/29/22 mpg with the automatic or 16/26/20 mpg with the stick.

Opt for the V-8 and the EPA says to expect 16/26/20 mpg with the automatic; with the manual it’s 16/24/19 mpg. Supercharged V-8s guzzle at a rate of 14/20/16 mpg with the manual and 13/21/16 mpg with the automatic.

The Camaro has done all right in crash testing, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and mostly “Good” scores from the IIHS. However, automatic emergency braking is not available and blind-spot monitors cost extra.

Model Lineup

Pick your flavor: coupe or convertible. And then you’ll want to go engine shopping.

The 2022 Camaro range takes off at $26,195 for the base 1LS model, and it moves up through 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, LT1, 1SS, 2SS, and ZL1 versions, most of which can be had with or without a top.

The base Camaro includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 6-speaker audio, a power driver seat wrapped in cloth, keyless start, and 18-inch wheels.

The LT adds a few niceties but mostly serves as the jumping-off point for more optional extras, including the V-6 engine (about $3,000 more).

2LT versions run close to $30,000 and add automatic climate control, while the 3LT goes for $32,695 with Bose audio, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a rear camera mirror, a head-up display, forward-collision alerts, and a number of other features.

If you’re after a V-8, figure on at least $35,195 for the confusingly named LT1, while the 1SS costs $38,695 and adds 20-inch wheels in front of Brembo brakes and LED lighting. It’s also available with Chevrolet’s magnificent Magnetic Ride Control, which takes the edge off of the impacts generated by those big wheels and tightens up handling for brisk driving.

The 2SS costs $43,695 and dresses the interior up with heated and cooled seats wrapped in leather.

ZL1 versions top the range at $64,195 to start, which buys a supercharger paired with a host of tweaks underneath that make these cars into true track-slayers.

Worth a note is the optional 1LE package, which adds stiffer suspension tuning, an electronic limited-slip differential, 6-piston front and 4-piston rear Brembo brakes, and a dual-mode exhaust system.

Exterior

The Camaro wears taut lines that look like they could have come from Hot Wheels’ design studio. All that’s missing are red lines around the tires; yeah, Chevy’s already tried that – and if you don’t know what we mean, the Camaro’s probably not the car for you.

Slicing the top off does little to change its swagger, but drivers in sunny climates may enjoy the view.

All versions of the Camaro have similar looks until you get to the ZL1, which goes full-on street racer. All those wings and spoilers are functional, though.

Interior

Compared to the Camaro’s exterior, its interior is almost tame – especially in all black. It’s mild and soothing inside, with limited buttons and switches to distract.

The front seats are comfy enough and the view out is better than in prior models, though convertibles with their tops down are, obviously, the best.

Don’t look for much rear-seat space, and even the trunk is small. But nobody is shopping the Camaro for its practical side, right?

Driving Impressions

Even the base version furnishes zippy acceleration, with a 0-60 mph sprint of about 5.4 seconds. The mid-level V-6 slices about half a second off of that and produces a nice snarl in the process.

To best experience the Camaro, though, save up for the V-8s. With 455 hp, the base 6.2-liter is downright quick, and it works brilliantly with both the 6-speed manual and the 10-speed automatic transmissions.

Cornering grip is substantial, and it’s accompanied by direct, quick steering. Select the optional magnetic dampers for a buttery smooth ride that can tighten up for winding roads.

The Camaro ZL1 is a monster, especially with the optional 1LE package. Try before you buy as it might be a bit too firm for boulevarding.

Final Word

With its sharp styling, balanced chassis, and powerful engine choices, the Chevrolet Camaro lives up to its legendary reputation. It’s a street-legal Hot Wheels car, with swagger to match.

 

—by Andrew Ganz, with driving impressions from The Car Connection