2018 Chevrolet Camaro

Chevy introduced the 1LE Extreme Track Performance package for Camaro ZL1, which makes it the fastest, quickest, and the best-handled Camaro to date. The package adds special adjustable suspension, thinner rear glass to save weight, Brembo brakes, and a 650-horsepower supercharged V8.

Otherwise, the 2018 Chevy Camaro remains mostly the same.

Trims	1LS	1LT	2LT	1SS	2SS	ZL1
MSRP	$25,905	$26,700	$30,500	$37,000	$42,000	$61,500
Key Features	18-inch aluminum wheels	All features of 1LS, plus:	All features of 1LT, plus:	20-inch aluminum wheels with summer-only performance run-flat tires	All features of 1SS, plus:	All features of 2SS, plus:
	Cloth power 8-way driver and 6-way front passenger seats			Brembo performance 4-wheel disc brakes
	Rear vision camera			HID headlamps with LED signature lighting accents
	Remote Keyless Entry
	LED daytime running lamps	8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission	Heated/ventilated leather-appointed power 8-way driver and 6-way passenger seats		Heated/ventilated leather-appointed power 8-way driver and 6-way front passenger seats	6-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching
	Full folding rear seat (coupe only)		Dual-zone automatic climate control		Dual-zone automatic climate control	Available paddle-shift 10-speed automatic transmission
	Chevrolet MyLink		Frameless electrochromic ISRV mirror		Chevrolet MyLink with 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen display	Dual-mode exhaust with quad exhaust tips
	Automatic Crash Response and Turn-by-Turn Navigation		Chevrolet MyLink with 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen display		Bose premium audio system

The 2018 Chevy Camaro comes in 6 trim levels: 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1SS, 2SS, and ZL1. All the trims are available as a four-seat coupe or a convertible. The LS and LT come with a turbocharged four-cylinder, with the option of a V6. The SS and ZL1 host a powerful V8. The ‘1’ and ‘2’ refer to the level of equipment, although other optional packages are also available. RWD is standard.

We Recommend

Although the LS and LT models are just as good as any Camaro and provide better fuel economy than their V8 engine counterparts, we strongly believe a Camaro needs a V8 engine to authenticate its muscle car roots. The 1SS model hits the right pricing and performance note. It equips Camaro with a 6.2 liter V8 along with a long list of in-car tech. And as an added bonus, it can be equipped with the 1LE performance package that adds FE4 suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and Recaro sport front seats.

“Chevy’s iconic small-block V-8 makes magnificent power and pulse-pounding sounds. The gutsy V-6 has its own distinctly searing soundtrack and redeems generations of ho-hum six-cylinders” – Car and Driver

Engine and Transmission

There are four engines available for the 2018 Chevy Camaro. The lineup starts with a 2 liter turbo-4 making 275 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. For more power at the cost of torque, move to the 3.6 liter V6 with 335 hp and 284 lb.-ft. of torque.

But Camaro needs a V8 like fish needs water, and that’s where SS comes in. Camaro SS comes with a 6.2 liter V8 like the Corvette’s. It pumps out 455 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque. And that’s not even the most exciting bit, the Camaro ZL1 with 1LE package adds a 650 hp and 650 lb.-ft. torque generating 6.2 liters supercharged V8 to the roster.

All engines come mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. For V8 models, the transmission includes automatic rev matching. An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is also available, the ZL1 gets an optional 10 speed automatic.

Models	Chevy Camaro 1SS	Ford Mustang GT	Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
MSRP	$ 37,995	$ 35,095	$ 38,995
Engine	6.2 liter V8	5.0 liter V8	6.4 liter Hemi V8
Transmission	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	6-speed manual
Power	455 hp @ 6000 rpm	460 hp @ 6,500 rpm	485 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	455 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm	420 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 rpm	475 lb.-ft. @ 4,200 rpm

 

Amongst the competition, Challenger’s V8 gives out the most power and torque. It’s also the costliest amongst the three. Mustang GT’s V8 is the cheapest, almost $ 3,500 cheaper than Challenger’s. Camaro’s V8 doesn’t generate as much power as the Mustang or the Challenger but generates more torque than Mustang’s

Acceleration

“The base engine has good acceleration and plenty of power for all driving situations, and it only gets more impressive as you go up the ladder. The 650-horsepower V8 in the Camaro ZL1 will go from zero to 60 mph in a blistering 3.5 seconds” – US News

he base engine of the 2018 Chevy Camaro does well for a four-cylinder, but only the V6 and V8 bring out Camaro’s true nature. The V6, with its 355 hp, can hit 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds, that’s faster than most V6s of rivals. But it’s the V8 that steals the show. It pulls strong from low revs and feels sturdy all the way.

Models	Chevy Camaro SS	Ford Mustang GT	Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
0-60 MPH	3.9 sec	3.9 sec	4.2 sec
Quarter mile	12.3 sec @ 118 mph	11.83 sec @ 119 mph	12.5 sec @ 116 mph
Engine	6.2 liter V8	5.0 liter V8	6.4 liter Hemi V8

The Camaro and Mustang put up a nail-biting finish in the 0-60 mph test. At the quarter mile, however, the Mustang finishes half a second before Camaro. The Challenger, though it has a higher fuel displacing engine that generates more power and torque, lags behind the competition by a few milliseconds. This is mainly due to the weight of the car. The Challenger weighs almost 400-500 pounds more than Camaro or Mustang, which explains why the Challenger couldn’t ace this challenge.

Handling and Steering

“Strong and consistent brakes have a firm pedal and smooth initial response, and they are easy to modulate. The 2LT V6 stopped from 60 mph in 111 feet on its all-season tires, and the SS V8 stopped in 102 feet on its stickier summer tires” – Edmunds

Camaro’s handling and driving experience come as a welcomed surprise. It is more precise than what you’d expect from a performance-heavy car. The steering does not give much feedback, but it mostly feels accurate and controlled even on winding roads.

The driving experience feels tight. The steering has a small diameter, the steering ratio is small, and the turn-ins are quicker. If you opt for the V6, the maneuverability is further enhanced thanks to less weight on the nose. The heavier V8 is a bit inert but also gives a more planted feel.

Braking

“The less powerful Camaro V6 1LE paced fourth in a 2017 comparison test due to its long brake pedal travel and shifter that’s not as crisp as the one found on the SS 1LE. It also lacks Magnetic Ride Control and the electronically operated limited-slip differential, which means it doesn’t have the same level of capability as its V-8-powered brethren” – Motor Trend

The mark of a good car is to perform just as well at slowing down as it does in speeding up, and the 2018 Chevy Camaro has just the brakes for it. The brakes deliver a strong and consistent performance which makes them easy to modulate. There is virtually no dead space in the brake pedal. Even at winding roads Camaro feels in control, proving that it’s more than just a straight-line speedster.

Model	Chevy Camaro	Ford Mustang	Dodge Challenger
Brake pads Front(in)	13.6	13.9	14.2
Brake pads Rear(in)	13.3	13.0	13.8
Curb weight(lbs.)	3354	3705	4232
70-0 MPH (ft.)	149	156	151

The Camaro is significantly lighter than Mustang or the Challenger, less weight means less momentum, and less momentum means quicker panic stops. Camaro’s 149 feet distance in the 70-0 panic stop test is way less than the rivals’. Mustang puts up the worst numbers with a distance of 156 feet, not the stopping power you’d want in a high speed car.

“While the Camaro and its domestic contemporaries are surprisingly fuel efficient, they haven’t reached the status of the Toyota Prius just yet. The Chevy’s turbo inline-four has the highest EPA estimates, and the V-6 and V-8 engines performed well in our real-world testing” – Car and Driver

Now, you wouldn’t opt for a speedster with a heavy engine if fuel efficiency was on your list, but you may have readied your heart for a bigger disappointment than required. The 2018 Chevy Camaro and its rivals are surprisingly fuel efficient for what they offer. The base 2-liter four-cylinder engine gives 22/31 mpg in city/hwy with automatic transmission. Even the V6 puts up 19/28 mpg in city/hwy.

But all that glitters is not gold. If the incredibly impressive efficiency of the 2 liter I-4 made you consider opting it, know that it requires premium fuel, which would cost about $200 more each year than what you’d spend on the V6.

Model	Chevy Camaro SS	Ford Mustang GT	Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
MPG city	16	15	14
MPG highway	25	25	23
MPG combined	20	20	18

Just like the Camaro, Mustang and Challenger also provide better fuel economy than hoped for. In the city, the Camaro is better than the rivals, and tie with Mustang on the highway. The heavier Challenger struggles to put up competitive numbers.

“It’s improved over the outgoing car in layout and materials quality. But it still suffers from poor outward visibility and trades function and space for style. There are also some ergonomic foibles” – Edmunds

The interiors of the 2018 Chevy Camaro may just be the best Camaro interiors ever. It boasts comfortable seats, clever design, modern tech and styling, and an easy to use infotainment system. Although it still suffers from a compromised outward visibility in any direction due to a high beltline and small windows, extensive use of plastic that reduces the overall luxury factor, and a tight squeeze in the second row.

Model	Chevy Camaro	Ford Mustang	Dodge Challenger
Passenger capacity	4	4	5
Passenger Volume (ft3)	– TBD –	84.5	93.9
Front (Head/Hip/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/–/–/43.9	37.6/54.9/56.3/44.5	39.3/55.3/58.5/42
Rear (Head/Hip/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/51.8/55.6/39.7	34.8/47.4/52.2/30.6	37.1/47.8/53.9/33.1

Just like the exteriors, the interiors adopt a cleaner and simpler design. The dashboard clutter is reduced thanks to the trim rings around center vents that control the temperature and fan speed. Yet for some, the tight back row and the restricted visibility may make Camaro’s cabin feel a bit claustrophobic.

Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Chevy Camaro has comfortable and supportive seats. The back row can accommodate 2 people if by people you are referring to elves and gnomes. Highly cramped back row is more show than utility. The front seats, however, are ideal for long drives. The driver’s side seat is 8-way power adjustable, the passenger side gets 6-way adjustable seat. Surprisingly, no lumbar support is provided in any Camaro. The back seats have full set of LATCH hardware. Upper tether is easy to locate. The lower ones are buried deep in the seat.

Interior Features

Here is a list of the standout features in the 2018 Chevy Camaro’s cabin:

• Automatic climate control
• Six-speaker audio system
• Satellite radio
• Teen Driver
• Rearview camera
• MyLink infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto, and voice activation
• OnStar with 4G LTE and a Wi-Fi hot spot

Some Available features are:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Nine-speaker Bose audio system
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Customizable 8-inch driver information display in the gauge cluster
• Head-up display
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Upgraded MyLink system with an 8-inch touch screen

Infotainment

“The Chevrolet MyLink system is effortless in operation, and its response times are consistently quicker than popular smartphones. Likewise, the touchscreen we tested on the Camaro earned an Excellent rating” – Car and Driver

he 2018 Chevy Camaro comes standard with Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system. This is one of the best and most quickly responding systems with an intuitive interface. A few minutes with the system and you’ll become familiar with its every aspect. The standard size of the infotainment screen is 7 inch, although an 8 inch screen is also available.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features, which is a huge advantage as most rivals have them as an upgrade, or don’t have them available at all. The center of attention is still the MyLink system with is lightning fast responses. There are also physical buttons for climate and audio which are easy to reach.

Cargo

“The Camaro outshines its rivals on the track and in the fun-to-drive department but is outmatched in terms of cargo space and storage. It held the least amount of carry-on luggage, and it has even less interior storage than its already stingy rivals” – Car and Driver

If you thought the back row of the 2018 Chevy Camaro was undersized, wait till you open the trunk. Not only does the Camaro provide the smallest trunk in the segment, its inefficiency is further highlighted by a narrow opening and a high lift-over height.

Model	Chevy Camaro	Ford Mustang	Dodge Challenger
Trunk Vol. (Ft.3)	9.10	13.5	16.2

There is some relief, though. A folding rear seat and power trunk release are standard. But still, it is easier to live with a Mustang or a Challenger if you plan to travel with luggage.

"Ask any muscle car enthusiast, and he’ll vouch that the 1969 Camaro was the most attractive and desirable Camaros to ever grace the roads, and the present generation is highly inspired from that clean and tight-lined design. The 2018 Chevy Camaro bears a distant resemblance to its classy look, yet it feels more modern thanks to narrow headlights, low-slung roof, and a broad back"-

Dimensions and Weight

In the front, the Camaro wears an aggressive split grille filled with black patterns. The narrow and deeply recessed headlights provide an unmistakably unique look. The SS gets exclusive hood vents. The ZL1 get a deep grille and bumper to cool off that powerful V8.

Model	Chevy Camaro	Ford Mustang	Dodge Challenger
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3685	3705	4232
Length (in)	188.3	188.3	197.9
Width (in)	74.7	75.4	75.7
Height (in)	53.1	54.4	57.5
Wheel Base (in)	110.7	107.1	116.2
Track Width (in) F/R	63/62.9	64.5/65.5	66.3/66.3

The 1LE adds more punch to the already aggressive Camaro with mesh grille inserts, front spoiler, and a satin-black hood and mirrors. From the back, the Camaro has a wide stance which is quite reminiscent of the Corvette. The taillights don’t support dynamic turn signals. The ZL1 1LE also adds a massive rear spoiler for better stability.

Although all Camaros are breathtakingly gorgeous, there are prominent factors that differentiate the lower trims from the ones sporting the V8. The I-4 and V6 versions have a wide lower intake with vertical fog lights, the SS gets horizontal fog lights, broad lower grille, and hood vents.

The 2018 Chevy Camaro does quite well in the safety tests conducted by NHTSA and IIHS. It gets 5 out of 5 stars overall and only loses a star in frontal crash.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Ratings
Overall	5 out of 5
Frontal Crash	4 out of 5
Side Crash	5 out of 5
Rollover	5 out of 5

The IIHS gives 2018 Chevy Camaro a ‘Good’ rating in most tests, which is their highest rating, except for the roof strength test, in which Camaro scores an ‘Acceptable’.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Small Overlap Front (Driver Side)	Good
Moderate Overlap Front	Good
Side	Good
Roof Strength	Acceptable
Head restraints and Seats	Good

Safety features

• Rearview camera
• Chevrolet’s Teen Driver technology
• Head-up display
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear cross traffic alert

 

Ford Mustang vs Chevrolet Camaro 

Ah, the classic Mustang-Camaro rivalry enters its 50^th year. Ever since Chevrolet released the Camaro to tackle Ford’s pony, the duo has indulged in a fierce battle that has pushed them to one-up the other with every new generation. And in the present times, they continue to push the boundaries and set new standards for performance, just look at Mustang Shelby GT500 and Camaro ZL1 1LE!

But Mustang is not the most famous muscle-cum-sports car for no reason. Its advantages over the Camaro begin with its cabin. Mustang’s cabin is more comfortable and nicer than Camaro’s. Also, it has a bigger trunk and a lower starting price. Mustang has discontinued its V6, so if you want a V6, go for Camaro. Otherwise, Mustang wins the showdown ever so slightly due to its interiors and trunk space.

Dodge Challenger vs Chevrolet Camaro 

Dodge Challenger has set new standards for engine performance for the modern times. Its Hellcat and Demon variants supply unparalleled engine power. The Challenger is not available as a convertible, so if you like to take your hood down, go straight for Camaro. But if second row seating is something you consider, you’d be glad to know that Challenger has a second row that can actually accommodate adults.

Challenger also has a better infotainment system and large trunk space, not to mention the monstrous horsepowers its engines are capable of generating. But it is heavy, which makes Camaro more agile and fun to drive.

The 2018 Chevy Camaro is everything you’d want in a modern muscle-cum-sports car. It is athletic and quick, with plenty of power and dynamics in driving. Filled with modern features and tech, the Camaro proves that it is more than just a pretty driving machine.

The Camaro has a lot to offer, but it is in no way a clear class leader. Due to its shortcomings like a limited outward visibility, low back row and cargo space, and a slightly less luxurious cabin as compared to some rivals, the Mustang and the Challenger continue to be worthy adversaries. Mustang proves to be more practical for daily drives, and the Challenger beats both with its usable back row and raw muscle car looks.

In the present times, the Camaro settles for the second place in the best-selling sports cars. The Mustang beats Camaro by almost 15% more sales. But these two cars have always pushed each other to strive for greatness, and the Camaro has the perfect blend of looks, power, and agility to retake the lead.