2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

 As mentioned before, since the ZL1 is a singular trim level, there is no further nitpicking. If one's focus is on performance, the 1LE Extreme Track Performance package is definitely a trade-off worth having as the brakes of the car are excellent and aerodynamically, the car is perfect to beat tracks. 

It might not look high-tech, but the ZL1 boasts some seriously advanced features- Edmunds

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is available in two body types - coupe and convertible. The convertible starts at $69,000 and is reviewed separately. The ZL1 being a high-performance variant is not further split into many different trim levels. It comes as a fully loaded package that includes adaptive suspension, electronic limited-slip differential, 8-inch touchscreen, Bose sound system, and so on. 

This, combined with the amazing performance that it provides makes it an irresistible deal no matter what way you look at it. This is the point that makes it perform well in the segment with very close competition from rivals from Ford as well as Dodge. The Camaro has fared well so far and looks like it is not going to let go of that advantage anytime soon.

Chevrolet offers a lot of optional extras to the already loaded vehicle. These include a sunroof, navigation system, performance, and data recorder as well as the favorite package for most automobile enthusiasts – the 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package. This gives the car upgraded suspension components, a satin black hood wrap, carbon fiber rear spoiler, and aerodynamic tweaks. 

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This Camaro is a strong performer that blends speed with precision and enjoyment in a way that previous Camaros never did- Edmunds

One of the most important factors for this car would be its engine and performance and this is an area that Chevrolet delivers more than anyone expects. Being a high-performance variant, the Camaro ZL1 comes with the 6.2L supercharged V8 that churns out 650 hp and 650 lb-ft. of torque. The transmission is a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic is available as an option while RWD is the only drivetrain.  

The Camaro ZL1 is an absolute blast to drive. It is as capable on a winding road or on a racetrack as it is on a drag strip. It has excellent steering and an equally satisfying chassis. The Magnetic Ride Control manages to absorb most of the road bumps and delivers a comfortable ride. All in all, the Camaro ZL1 is extremely fun to drive and promises the driver to smile from ear to ear every time they drive it.

Not only does the engine produce a lot of power, but the car is especially adept at putting that power down, resulting in blisteringly quick acceleration figures. The Camaro ZL1 can do a 0-60 MPH sprint in just 3.7 seconds and goes on to complete the quarter-mile at 11.7 seconds. The brakes are also one of the most excellent systems around and come from Brembo. It records an excellent braking distance of 104 feet. 

In terms of performance, all cars are neck to neck. The Camaro ZL1 seems to have the lowest figures on paper but remains just as competitive on the road. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is an extremely fast car and the most potent one with its 760 hp engine but it is a pricier option. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody has more power on paper but is slightly slower in the real world due to its heavy curb weight.

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The words "Camaro ZL1" and "fuel-efficient" shouldn't be used together in a sentence- CarAndDriver

One does not expect a lot of fuel economy from muscle cars, and especially from the highest performing variants of those. However, we’re in for a surprise as the Chevy Camaro ZL1 returns decent fuel economy compared with the blistering performance that it delivers. The manual transmission is good for 14 MPG in the city, 20 MPG on the highway, and 16 MPG combined.

On the other hand, the automatic transmission drops down this figure to 13 MPG in the city, with other parameters remaining identical. Even though it is not a lot, it is definitely acceptable and on par with the competition. The Camaro also gets a large fuel tank due to which it delivers a class-leading combined range of 304 miles. That's enough for a small weekend getaway. 

Although the Camaro is not at all fuel-efficient, it certainly seems so next to its competition. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat's fuel economy is very similar to the Camaro ZL1. However, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has the lowest fuel economy and driving range as it houses an extremely powerful engine. 

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The Camaro interior is an improvement versus the previous generation, with better materials and a more modern look- CarAndDriver

The Chevy Camaro ZL1 delivers a surprise again when it comes to the interiors. Despite not having the plushest materials inside, the cabin is definitely better laid out than one would expect. The design is slightly dated but remains beautiful. It is easy to get comfortable with the Recaro front sport seats. They are also very supportive and hug you tight in corners where you expect the support to keep you in place.

The front seats are power-adjustable and come standard with heated and ventilated functions. As the seating position is a bit low outward visibility is not that great. There is enough passenger space for the front seat occupants to be comfortable. However, the rear seats are not suitable for grown adults. Even kids may find it uncomfortable sitting here for a longer period of time. 

The dashboard houses an 8-inch touchscreen that features wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This infotainment system is among the best that is offered in the industry. It has extremely readable icons and menus while the interface is intuitive. The sound system is an extremely potent one from Bose. It provides a very nice experience inside the car and makes occupants feel entertained.

One can see that the Camaro offers very bad cargo space. At 9.1 cu-ft., this is definitely disappointing but adding insult to injury, the space is even harder to access due to the loading area being inconveniently designed. However, this is not the most important parameter in this category and hence, the Camaro can be excused for the slight deficiencies it has in this regard. Some standout interior features include:

• Recaro front sport seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Center armrest with integrated cupholders
• Color-adjustable ambient lighting
• Alloy foot pedals
• 8-inch touchscreen w/ wireless connectivity
• 9-speaker Bose sound system
• Wireless charging
• 8-inch digital gauge cluster

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Telling the ZL1 coupe apart from its lesser siblings isn't too difficult- Carbuzz

The exteriors of the Chevy Camaro ZL1 are extremely good-looking. In fact, Chevrolet has now started incorporating several design cues from the starting to its SUV models including the Blazer. It is definitely an icon in terms of design but at the same time, it manages to stay relevant with time changes and updates that make it capable for the modern era. The headlights are HID and they look absolutely aggressive. 

Down below, everything is wide open and fully functional. The integrated lower front lip spoiler looks really cool. The heat extractor on the hood is massive in size and is reminiscent of old muscle car days. The satin black hood that comes in the 1LE version is also quite attractive. Under those muscular wheel arches, you get 20-inch alloys that look stunning. At the rear, you get LED taillights and a functional rear wing spoiler. 

The Camaro ZL1 and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 are rather small cars compared to the huge Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody. In fact, this extra size is the reason why that car is so much more spacious on the inside. The trade-off is the performance at the end of the day as the Challenger weighs much more than the Mustang and the Camaro. Some standout exterior features include:

• HID headlights
• LED tinted taillights
• LED DRLs
• 20-inch wheels
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Quad exhaust tips
• Black grille
• Rear wing spoiler

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Speaking of safety, the Camaro ZL1 comes standard with all available features for the range- Carbuzz

Despite being a performance car, as opposed to most, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has undergone crash testing. NHTSA has awarded the car a four-star safety rating while IIHS has not done an evaluation on the 2022 model. However, the outgoing model received a 'Good' rating in almost all tests and an 'Acceptable' rating for its roof strength.  

We expect the same IIHS rating for the 2022 model as there are no structural changes. This shows that its chassis is extremely rigid and generally capable of holding impacts. When it comes to safety features, the Camaro ZL1 is packed with a decent list of features and more than its rivals too. Some safety features:

• Rear parking sensors
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Blind Zone Alert
• Lane Change Alert
• Forward Collision Alert
• Rearview camera
• Teen Driver

2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody

If you are in the market for a performance muscle car, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody does not do much for you unless you live at the drag strip. Even then, the Camaro ZL1 beats it fair and square at its own game. Apart from performance, the Challenger is more spacious inside, has a seating capacity of five, and offers class-leading cargo space. 

2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

It is tough picking between the Camaro ZL1 and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The reason is that both cars are very capable muscle cars. However, the Mustang offers a bit more performance but at an added cost. Both are equally spacious inside but the Mustang has an edge over trunk space. But, we still feel the Camaro is extreme value for money. 

Although the current-generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has been around for six years now, it is still an excellent buy in 2022. The car offers best-in-class handling, fuel economy as well as excellent performance. It does take a backseat in terms of practicality but most buyers in this category have already said to heck with it and hence the car does make a lot of sense to its target crowd. The car also has an excellent design and has aged well over time. But honestly, one of the biggest attractions it has is that it is priced extremely well and in a way that it is accessible to a lot of buyers.