Chevrolet Camaro: A Legacy of Power and Performance

I’ve driven every generation that mattered, and the latest Chevrolet Camaro still does that thing only a proper pony car can: it makes a boring commute feel like a parade lap. The long hood, the hunkered stance, the way the steering wakes up your palms—yep, the magic’s intact. Even when I tried it on rough roads outside town, the chassis kept its poise, as if it were shrugging off potholes with a smirk.

Why the Chevrolet Camaro still matters

Launched in 1966 to square up against the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Camaro became more than a rival—it became a character in American car culture. The sixth-generation car (2016–2024) is the sharpest-driving Camaro yet: lighter than the fifth-gen, smarter in its tuning, and kitted with tech that makes even mediocre drivers feel like they’ve got a little IMSA in their bloodstream.

Sixth‑gen Chevrolet Camaro: engines, character, and the good stuff

The sixth-gen Chevrolet Camaro lineup gave you real choice. I’ve sampled each, and each tells a different story:

• 2.0-liter Turbo I4: about 275 hp, 295 lb-ft. Light on its feet, surprisingly quick (0–60 mph in the mid-5s), and capable of low-30s mpg on the highway if you’re gentle. Perfect for city duty with weekend canyon runs.
• 3.6-liter V6: about 335 hp, 284 lb-ft. The sweet-spot daily. Revvy, smooth, and sounds properly eager above 4,000 rpm.
• 6.2-liter V8 (SS): 455 hp, 455 lb-ft. The one that makes your neighbors learn your schedule. 0–60 around 4 seconds when conditions are right.
• 6.2-liter Supercharged V8 (ZL1): 650 hp, 650 lb-ft. Supercar pace with muscle car swagger. 0–60 in the mid-3s and hilariously capable on track.

If you’re serious about handling, look for Magnetic Ride Control—available on SS and standard on ZL1. On a broken back road, I noticed it settle the car between bumps the way a good running shoe cushions mid-stride. Not soft. Just sorted. And the manual gearbox? Short throws, proper weight. The automatic shifts cleanly and quickly in daily driving and ramps up aggression when you tap the paddles.

Inside the Chevrolet Camaro: focused and familiar

Slip into the driver’s seat and your hips drop low—race-car low. The gauges are easy to read and the optional head-up display puts your speed and revs right on the windscreen so you can keep your eyes on that tightening radius you didn’t see coming. The climate vents that double as temperature knobs are clever, and the steering wheel feels right in your hands at speed. It’s not Rolls-Royce quiet, but at freeway cruise it’s calm enough to hear your kids arguing in the back (for the two minutes they’ll tolerate the back seat).

Quirks and compromises (because no pony car is perfect)

• Outward visibility is better than the fifth-gen, but those thick pillars still play peekaboo with cross traffic. You learn to work around it.
• The trunk opening is narrow—suitcases fit diagonally. IKEA flat-packs? Measure first.
• Infotainment is mostly snappy, but I’ve had CarPlay take an extra beat to reconnect on a chilly morning.

Chevrolet Camaro 1LE and track toys

If your weekends involve lap times, the 1LE package makes the Camaro feel like a track scholarship kid: track-tuned suspension, stickier rubber, bigger brakes, and exterior tweaks that actually work. On a hot day at the circuit, the extra cooling and composure mean more laps before your tires or your nerves cry uncle. Pair it with any of the gas-powered engines—from the efficient to the utterly bonkers—and you’ve got a car that can commute Monday and clip apexes Saturday.

Personalize your Chevrolet Camaro

I’m a sucker for small touches that make a car feel like yours. One easy win is swapping in better floor mats—especially if you drive year-round. These are tidy upgrades that owners always notice:

AutoWin even lets you match stitching and colors to your taste. If you’re already browsing Chevrolet accessories, their Camaro mats are a quick way to upgrade what your shoes see every day.

Chevrolet Camaro vs rivals: the spec story

Real-world fuel economy

• 2.0T: up to roughly 22/31 mpg city/highway
• V6: around 19/29 mpg
• V8 SS: roughly 16/24 mpg
• ZL1: you’re here for the supercharger, not the savings

Pricing, availability, and the state of play

Chevrolet built the sixth-gen Camaro through the 2024 model year. New examples (when still on sale) started in the low-$30,000s in the U.S., while the ZL1 climbed past $70,000. On the used market, a well-kept 2017 can range from about $20,000 to $40,000 depending on trim, mileage, and condition. In Australia, factory-backed, right-hand-drive conversions hovered around AUD $86,000 when offered; in the Philippines, pricing has been quoted from roughly PHP 3.3 million, depending on spec.

Chevy has confirmed the current car’s run ended after 2024, but hinted the nameplate isn’t done. Electrified future? Special editions? We’ll see. I’m not betting against a comeback badge that iconic.

Feature highlights that stood out to me

• Chassis balance: rides better than it has any right to on bad pavement
• Magnetic Ride Control: comfort mode for coffee runs, track mode for late apexes
• Manual gearbox: short throws, feels mechanical in the best way
• Available head-up display: addictive once you use it
• 1LE package: turns “quick” into “capable” without ruining daily livability

Conclusion: the Chevrolet Camaro still hits you in the feels

Whether you swear by the Mustang or you’ve worn a bowtie since birth, the Chevrolet Camaro remains one of the most rewarding driver’s cars you can buy—new or used. It blends old-school pony car drama with modern control, and when you find a quiet road, it does that one thing that matters most: it makes you want to keep driving. For personalization touches, accessories like Camaro-specific mats from Chevrolet specialists are an easy way to make it yours.

Chevrolet Camaro FAQ

How much is a new Chevrolet Camaro?

When the sixth-gen was still on sale, U.S. prices started in the low-$30,000s, with the ZL1 pushing beyond $70,000. Prices vary by trim and options.

Did Chevrolet discontinue the Camaro?

Chevy ended production of the current generation after the 2024 model year. The company has hinted that the nameplate will live on in some form.

Which Chevrolet Camaro is the fastest?

The ZL1. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 makes 650 hp and can do 0–60 mph in about 3.5 seconds—quicker than SS or LT trims.

How much is a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro on the used market?

Typically between $20,000 and $40,000 depending on trim, mileage, and condition.

Can I customize my Camaro’s interior easily?

Absolutely. Upgrades like floor mats are quick wins. Check out Camaro-specific mats and broader Chevrolet options to dial in colors, stitching, and logos to your taste.