2022 Chevrolet Camaro

The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro is one of only three cars keeping the old-school muscle car segment alive. The Camaro — along with its chief rivals, the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang — takes the traditional hallmarks of this specialized segment and updates them for a modern audience.

You still get the pulse-pounding acceleration provided by the muscle cars of old, but now with a high-tech interior and elevated handling performance.

The Chevy puts a premium on a sporty driving experience — so much so that it’s almost at the detriment to its everyday drivability. The sleek styling creates short windows that impede outward visibility, while both trunk space and cabin storage are the most meager in the class.

If practicality is a consideration for your next car purchase, the Ford and Dodge offer more usable space. We also think the Mustang drives just as well as the Camaro on a set of twisty mountain roads.

For 2022, Chevy doesn’t make any significant changes to the Camaro lineup. All the ingredients are still the same: coupe and convertible body styles, three engines, two transmissions, and poor outward visibility.

 

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The base 275-hp four-cylinder isn’t slow—we tested a manual model that proved surprisingly quick. But uneven throttle responses and unpleasant, unsporting sounds accompanied its dull demeanor. On the other hand, upgrading to the 335-hp V-6 completely changes the car’s character.

The gutsy six has its own distinctly searing soundtrack. The Camaro LT1 and SS feature Chevy’s iconic small-block V-8, with 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque.

Its tremendous low-end torque, linear power delivery, and chest-compressing acceleration are enhanced by the optional dual-mode exhaust, which erupts with a sharp bark at startup and thunderous sounds during wide-open-throttle blasts.

The standard six-speed manual transmission maintains the enthusiast’s spirit. (For cars not equipped with the 1LE package, the six-speed manual transmission is standard.) An eight-speed automatic is optional with the four-cylinder engine, and the 10-speed automatic can be paired with the V-6 and V-8.

The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro‘s astonishing chassis provides a car-and-driver connection (see what we did there?) that’s unparalleled among pony cars. Its solid structure engenders precise handling and a quality feel. Its well-balanced ride is firm enough to be agile on curvy roads yet still compliant on rough surfaces.

Paired with the 1LE setup, the coupes transcend their class—competing with cars costing much, much more. The 1LEs-equipped models are taut on the track yet relaxed on regular roads. Their electrically assisted power-steering systems have reasonable efforts and highly accurate responses.

The hot 2022 Chevrolet Camaro completes the performance trifecta with excellent brakes; the brake pedal consistently provides progressive and assuring responses. The 1LE models get even more powerful, track-ready Brembo brakes.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine is rated at up to 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The V-6 and V-8 powertrains are less frugal, with the six topping out at 18 mpg city and 29 highway and the eight topping out at 16 mpg city and 26 highway.

Still, the latter engines performed well on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen.

We’ve tested each of the Camaro’s three available engines—paired with the manual transmission—and they were all within 1 mpg (plus or minus) of their government highway ratings. For more information about the Camaro’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro interior is an improvement versus the previous generation, with better materials and a more modern look. Its comfortable front seats and straightforward layout are high points, but its torturously small back seat and compromised visibility inhibit livability.

An optional head-up display is useful and not offered by the Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang. The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro also can be equipped with customizable ambient interior lighting, which adds a cool appearance.

The Chevy outshines its rivals on the track and in the fun-to-drive department, but its back seat is basically unusable for adults. The Camaro is also outmatched in terms of cargo space and interior storage. It held the least amount of carry-on luggage compared to its space-stingy rivals and has a laughably small trunk opening.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Camaro has a user-friendly touchscreen that supports Chevy’s Infotainment 3 software. While the larger 8.0-inch touchscreen fills the space better, the plastic bezel looks chintzy, and its downward angle is awkward.

Otherwise, its mix of controls and organized menus is appreciated. Chevy’s setup has everything standard—intuitive controls, attractive menus, responsive feedback, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that can be accessed without plugging a smartphone into a USB port.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

Although the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro pony car also has less driver-assistance technology than its rivals, it’s available with several pieces of safety equipment.

For more information about the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro‘s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

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Full Specifications