Used 2021 Chevrolet Camaro

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro epitomizes bang for the buck and attitude for the dollar. The reasonable starting price of this iconic everyman’s sports car undercuts that of its decades-long archrival the Ford Mustang, plus the Dodge Challenger and smaller Toyota 86.

Beyond its value proposition, the Camaro appeals with a choice of coupe or convertible body styles, good handling, and a surprisingly tech-forward interior. Engine choices range from a 275-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder to a tire-scorching 650-horsepower supercharged V8 in the mighty Camaro ZL1. Prices are just as broad, with that latter model reaching nearly $70,000.

Unlike the Mustang, the Camaro still offers a V6 engine, though we think the 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 in the LT1 that starts at $34,000 is one of the best bargains around for the power-hungry.

The aggressive styling of the latest Camaro doesn’t appeal to everyone, but it’s an honest performance car that’s rear-wheel drive and available with a manual transmission or an automatic. The Camaro is also relatively livable as a daily driver – as long as you keep a mindful eye on those blind spots and don’t expect to regularly have passengers in the tiny rear seats.

If you haven’t driven a Chevy Camaro in a while you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Gone are the days when this was just a straight-line sled. The launch of the 6th-generation platform really took things up a big notch. The latest version of the Chevy muscle car feels lighter on its feet.

We tested the latest model extensively in the famed Angeles Crest mountain roads of Southern California and the Streets of Willow racetrack. The Camaro is still a big car, and it feels even bigger on narrow, winding roads. It came more into its own with the wider berth of the track tarmac. The Camaro’s mass also gave it better comfort compared to a smaller and more nimble coupe like the Toyota 86.

Most gratifying is the punch you get whenever you nail the gas pedal. At 275 horsepower, even the base turbocharged 4-cylinder version matches the output of a V8 Camaro from a few generations back. The latest-generation SS bumps that up to 455 horsepower with its 6.2-liter V8. And if you really want to feel yourself thrust into the back of your seat, you’ll be well advised to consider the blindingly-fast ZL1 with its supercharged version of that V8 punching the horsepower up to 650.

As for active safety and driver-assist systems, the Camaro comes up on the shorter end. It offers forward-collision alert and blind-spot monitoring, but unlike a Ford Mustang, you can’t get adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, or automatic emergency braking.

The Chevy Camaro’s interior is a mix of the old and new. There are elements of the original car here, such as the dual hoods over the instrument cluster and the numerous chrome surrounds on various controls. Modern touches like heated seats and a touch-screen infotainment system bring the muscle car into the 21st century, but the Camaro’s sleek exterior design presents some ergonomic issues inside the cabin.

The tiny window openings and low seating position create a claustrophobic and cramped feel. The preponderance of black plastic doesn’t help make it any more comfortable. Narrow sun visors are practically useless when swiveled to shade the door glass. The sport seats do feel good and can accommodate drivers of all sizes.

The same can’t be said for the Camaro’s two tiny rear seats, however, which together are little more than a padded parcel shelf. If you regularly need room in the back for passengers and want a big, muscular performance coupe, the Dodge Challenger may be a better choice. The rear seats do fold, however, to accommodate longer items in the trunk.

The Camaro’s mid-cycle refresh two years ago kicked up a dust storm, with many loyal fans shaken by the funky look of the new bumpers, front, and rear, as well as the coupe’s headlights. These updates aside, there were no major changes to sheet metal, and the overall look of the 6th-generation Camaro continues to hearken back to the classic 1969 edition, one of the most attractive muscle cars ever. The thinner headlights give the 2020 Camaro a menacing squint, reinforced by the bulging hindquarters and sweptback roof.

In addition to a black accent exterior package, new this year are Wild Cherry Design packages for a real pop of color.

WIRELESS APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO
New for 2021 and standard on all models, you can now integrate your phone’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while ditching the USB cable.

CAMARO CONVERTIBLE
One way to eliminate the Camaro’s numerous blind spots is to remove the roof. With the convertible, you can do just that. The Camaro’s cloth power top lowers with the push of a button and stows neatly behind the rear seat. When up, the sturdy top provides good protection from rain and wind noise.

The Camaro is available in eight main trims, from the base 1LS to the thundering ZL1. At is most basic, the 1LS includes a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine connected to a 6-speed manual transmission. Standard amenities include power windows, cruise control, an 8-way-power driver’s seat and a 7-inch touch-screen audio system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – now wireless for 2021 — Bluetooth, dual USB ports, AUX input, and GM’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

There’s also a driver-selector mode that includes Snow and Ice, Tour and Sport, plus automatic climate control and a color driver-information display between the gauges. Other features include push-button start and keyless entry and a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel.

Note that the coupe model begins with the LS trim, while the 2021 Camaro convertible starts at the 1LT level.

With its wide breadth of trims and powertrains, there are plenty of options available for your new 2021 Camaro coupe or convertible. Among them are an automatic transmission with paddle shifters, two different Brembo-brake upgrades, an upgraded audio system with a larger 8-inch touch screen, and an enhanced driver-information center.

The Camaro SS offers magnetic ride control and dual-mode exhaust system, both standard on ZL1 models.

Other options include heated and ventilated front seats, head-up display, remote engine-start system, Bose premium audio system, and a power sunroof.

Optional safety technology is limited to the LT and SS trims and includes blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, Lane Change Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, all helping to minimize the Camaro’s compromised outward visibility. Chevy also offers numerous wheel options. As we’ve mentioned, the Camaro suffers from limited rear visibility. In addition to blind-spot monitoring, another feature we recommend is the rear camera mirror. It turns the rearview mirror from glass to a digital screen that displays a wide rear image.

There are four engines available in the 2021 Camaro. There’s the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, with a muscular 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Chevy bills the 0-60 mph time of this model as low as 5.4 seconds, which is quite quick. One step up from that is the 3.6-liter V6 with 335 horsepower. This engine offers more power but less torque than the 4-cylinder and features cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy. With the V6, the 2021 Camaro can do 0-60 mph in as little as 5.2 seconds by Chevy’s clock.

For purists who crave a V8, there are two available. The Camaro SS packs a 6.2-liter V8 that pumps out 455 horsepower. That grants a 0-60 mph time as low as 4 seconds flat. Step up to the Camaro ZL1 and you’re looking at a 650-horsepower supercharged version, making it the most powerful Camaro available. With it, 0-60 mph can arrive in a blistering 3.5 seconds.

All engines connect to a 6-speed manual that includes automatic rev-matching on V8 models. The 4-cylinder Camaro offers an 8-speed automatic, while V6- and V8-powered cars employ a 10-speed automatic. The automatic transmissions come with paddle shifters for manual control.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (LS, LT)
275 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg (automatic), 19/29 mpg (manual)

3.6-liter V6 (LS, LT)
335 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
284 lb-ft of torque @ 5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/29 mpg (automatic), 16/26 mpg (manual)

6.2-liter V8 (SS)
455 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
455 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/26 mpg (automatic), 16/24 mpg (manual)

6.2-liter supercharged V8 (ZL1)
650 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
650 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 mpg (manual), 13/21 mpg (automatic)