2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

With prices starting from $55,505, the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe is one of the most affordable and powerful cars available in the market. The Camaro ZL1 gets a powerful 6.2-L V8 engine and takes on rivals like the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, and the Cadillac CTS V. Having said this, how good is the ZL1? Let’s find out. 

The Camaro ZL1 Coupe is offered in only one single trim in the Camaro’s lineup and is priced at $55,505. The car can be had with both, a manual as well as an automatic gearbox which makes it suitable for a wider range of buyers. In addition to this, a number of the latest features like a heads-up display, automatic climate control, and parking assist are on offer.

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The ZL1 not only gets a value-for-money price tag, but is also considered one of the most affordable cars in the segment. The ZL1 trim is available with almost all the features expected at this price point and will be a great choice for those looking for a reliable and practical car in the segment. It offers spell binding performance and looks very appealing as well.

Powering the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe is a supercharged 6.2-L V-8 engine that churns out 580 hp and 556 lb-ft of peak power and maximum torque respectively. This engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed automatic gearbox. The power is channeled to the rear wheels and helps the vehicle deliver strong performance.

The NVH levels from this motor are decent, if not the best in the segment but it is the power delivery of this motor that helps in making this car special. The power starts coming in from early in the rev range and helps the vehicle pick up pace in a brisk manner, right from the start. While the manual gearbox is a delight to operate, the automatic improves the overall convenience and practicality.

Despite being one of the most affordable cars, the ZL1 happens to be one of the fastest cars in the segment when 0-60 mph and quarter-mile timings are taken into the consideration. Its competition is missing the ever so competitive Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 which went out of production this year and is awaiting a new generation update.

The combined fuel economy of the Camaro ZL1 stands at 16 MPG which is at par with the segment standards. Individually, the car gets a claimed city fuel efficiency of 14 MPG and 19 MPG for highway usage. The fuel tank capacity however stands at 19 gallons. For a car with over 500 horsepower, the fuel economy is decent, however, the number goes down significantly when you push it hard.

The fuel economy figures offered by the Camaro ZL1 are impressive and the car also gets the largest fuel tank capacity when compared to its rivals. This makes even its 304 mile combined range look the best in the category. The Dodge is the least efficient car of the lot while the Cadillac is returning the same figures as the Chevrolet.

Unlike most other cars from the brand, the 2015 Camaro ZL1 gets a basic cabin layout which may not look very appealing to the eyes but scores high in terms of overall practicality and ergonomics. There is no dearth of features inside the cabin and the quality levels are impressive. For starters, the ZL1 gets Recaro performance seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a color head-up display, and a number of other features as well. 

The visibility from the driver’s seat is not the best, hence making it difficult to maneuver through urban traffic and tight spaces. The flat-bottom steering wheel not only looks great but also feels nice to hold, all thanks to the thick leather wrap. The steering mounted buttons control the infotainment as well as the MID. A powered sunroof is also on offer with the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe. A short shifter is also available as a standard part of the package.

The cabin is decently spacious and offers a comfortable experience to the occupants in all the three cars in the segment. However, the Dodge scores one extra point because it seats one more person inside. In all, the interiors of the ZL1 are a great place to be for the buyers of this segment. 

Standout interior features: 

• Recaro performance front bucket seats
• Color heads-up display
• Colour MID
• Short-throw shifter
• Steering wheel mounted controls 
• Rear parking assist
• Rear Camera system
• Remote vehicle starter (only available with automatic trim)
• Powered sunroof

How intuitive is the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe’sinfotainment unit?

A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Chevrolet MyLink System comes standard with the ZL1. This system is not only easy to use and understand, but the touch reception is great as well. Features like Pandora internet radio, Stitcher SmartRadio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice commands are also present. The audio system has a decent output and other features like a CD player, USB ports, aux-in, etc are also offered. 

Standout infotainment features:

• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Chevrolet MyLink System
• Pandora Internet radio
• Stitcher SmartRadio
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Voice Commands 
• AM/FM/Sirius XM Tuners
• CD Player with MP3 playback
• Aux Input
• USB Port

Unlike the rivals, the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe comes with a modern touch in the exterior styling and features a strong design language which gives it a massive road presence. The design focuses on improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle and increasing the overall downforce. In addition to this, the design also focuses on maximizing the cooling efficiency of the powertrain.

Having said that, the ZL1 gets an aggressive design language and features the iconic headlights that are joined by a thin horizontal grille. The bumper too gets a sporty design language while the hood gets a prominent air intake. The build quality of the vehicle remains top-notch and the ZL1 is definitely one of the best-looking cars in the segment.

The dimensions of the ZL1 are at par with the segment rivals while it is the design of the vehicle that helps it to stand out from the competition. The most impressive thing however, is that it manages to be the lightest vehicle in class. In terms of dimensions, the Cadillac is the smallest out of the three.

Standout exterior features:

• 20 inch forged aluminum wheels
• Automatic headlamps
• LED DRLs
• Adjustable ride height
• Dual-mode performance exhaust system
• Heated ORVMs

The ZL1 gets a strong body shell with reinforced panels to keep the occupants safe by absorbing maximum energy during a crash. Apart from this, many active safety features are also available with the Camaro ZL1 such as six airbags, StabiliTrak electronic system, rear vision package, seat belt pre-tensioners etc. The base Camaro scored a five-star rating in the crash tests conducted by NHTSA. 

Standout safety features:

• Six airbags including side curtain airbags
• Rear Vision Package that includes Rear Park Assist and Rearview Camera
• Four-wheel disc brake setup
• Seat belt pre-tensioners
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Remote keyless entry system with a red panic button
• StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System

The 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe comes out to be a great choice for the buyers who are looking to buy a practical, reliable, and powerful car that is affordable. The vehicle gets a mighty powertrain and features laudable driving dynamics which makes it a preferred choice for hard-core driving enthusiasts. The after-sales support from the brand and the safety levels offered are great and one of the best in the segment. In addition to this, the exterior design of the Camaro ZL1 is extremely appealing and one of the best in the segment, thus making the ZL1 hard to resist.