Used 2022 Chevrolet Camaro

The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro is a rear-drive thrill machine. It’s a sports car, referred to more commonly as a pony car, since the Ford Mustang is a direct rival. Along with the slightly larger Dodge Challenger, these three make up a class all by themselves. The Chevy and Ford are available as coupes or convertibles, the Challenger comes solely in coupe form.

Why buy a Camaro instead of a Mustang or a Challenger? There could be a number of reasons. A lot of drivers tend to separate into Ford, Chevy and Dodge camps.

It could be argued that the Mustang is too common and the Challenger insufficiently sharp. The Camaro also has a superb chassis and keen pricing in its favor.

Will the Camaro be discontinued? Not sure if you’ve noticed, but everyone seems to be buying crossovers these days. It seems pony cars are almost leftovers from another era. But this sixth generation, which debuted for the 2016 model year, is probably going to see 2023. After that, who knows? Maybe Chevrolet will make an electric seventh generation.

For 2022, the Chevy Camaro continues to offer the same talents and traits appealing to a particular kind of gearhead. And we’re glad about that.

How fast is the fastest Camaro? That would be the ZL1, with a 650-horsepower supercharged V8, which is capable of rocketing from standstill to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. That’s exceptionally quick. Chevy puts top speed at 190 mph.

However, don’t think the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the lowlier 2022 Camaro variants is a 275-horsepower booby prize. It’s still capable of exploring the car’s dynamics. In a way, it’s a positive thing to have a lighter engine up front, making the steering feel nice and sharp and responsive.

A sport suspension is standard in the lower trims. An even more focused Performance suspension comes in at the LT1 level. They’re both excellent. You might need to drive it to believe it, but the Camaro feels almost European, even BMW-like, in its handling. The Ford Mustang and especially the Dodge Challenger feel decidedly heavier and less nimble by comparison.

The top ZL1 is fitted with an adaptive suspension, Magnetic Ride Control, which is optional in the 1SS/2SS models. This year sees optional 1LE track performance packages only being offered with the SS and ZL1 variants.

The SS iteration includes magnetic ride control, dual-mode sport exhaust system, electronic limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, various aerodynamic additions, and Recaro bucket seats up front. The ZL1 package has a more extreme suspension, carbon fiber aero additions, staggered-width wheel/tire setup, and different ratios for the manual-transmission version. Dedicated track rats can also choose the performance data and video recorder.

Copper-free brakes are available for Camaros sold in California and Washington to comply with environmental initiatives in those states, but only with the 1SS, 2SS and ZL1 trims.

People in the auto industry describe the kind of seating in the Camaro as 2+2. Funnily enough, this doesn’t really add up to four. There’s sufficient space for two adults up front and, behind them, perhaps a couple of hobbits who don’t suffer from claustrophobia. Or maybe just do the decent thing and throw a couple of bags and jackets back there.

Trying to see out of the Camaro has its challenges. The glass areas are small and the coupe’s rear pillars are wide. Outward vision is similarly limited when the convertible’s roof is up. We recommend being extra vigilant with the mirrors and perhaps going for either a 3LT or ZL1 model, since they both have blind-spot monitoring as standard.

Some low-rent plastics are part of the Camaro’s interior. There’s not a great amount of stowage space. And the aperture to the trunk is annoyingly small. Once past that point, the coupe’s luggage volume is 9.1 cubic feet (enough for a couple of golf bags) and the convertible’s in 7.3 cubic feet.

This all might seem like we’re trashing the Camaro’s interior. Sure, there are a few flaws, but this is a performance car for relatively little money. Having somewhere to put golf clubs or an iPhone doesn’t really matter half as much as the fun to be had when driving.

Buyers can also choose packages that add red or white highlights, or black lowlights. There’s quite a bit of scope for personalization, both inside and out.

If we have a complaint about the Camaro’s exterior design, it’s that it isn’t as iconic as the Mustang or the Challenger. It’s been a wasted opportunity. Here’s a car with a long hood, low roof and short tail — classic sports car shape, in other words — and Chevy has done little more than stick a corporate grille on the front.

A new Design Package 3 arrives this year for the LT and SS trims, bringing 20-inch alloy wheels, satin black hood stripe, and aero additions. There’s also a choice of other exterior treatments, mainly for the LT and SS trims again. Regarding paint choices, Vivid Orange Metallic and Rapid Blue come in, Crush (orange) and Shock (acid green) go out.

REAR-WHEEL DRIVE/MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The further we go into the 21st century with electric cars and self-driving systems, the more low-tech this setup becomes. But there’s an immense joy in mastering a rear-wheel-drive car and controlling the engine with a stick shift. It feels raw and immediate, which is exactly what cars like the Chevy Camaro are about.

CAMARO ZL1
At $63,000, it’s the most expensive Camaro, but it comes with 650 horsepower. To get close to that figure in a Porsche 911 or anything else German would probably mean spending another $100,000. And forget about supercars like Lamborghini and Ferrari unless you can spend more than $250k.

The most affordable 2022 1LS coupe comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, single-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped/flat-bottomed steering wheel, limited-slip differential, and selectable driving modes.

A 7-inch touchscreen controls an infotainment setup that contains wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, Wi-Fi, two USB ports, Bluetooth, and a 6-speaker audio system. We think the next 1LT version is more desirable, with dual-zone automatic climate control and satellite radio. It also qualifies for a greater number of options.

The convertible (starting off in 1LT trim) has a power-folding fabric roof with a glass rear window. Taking the roof down can be done remotely.

Although no longer eligible for a track performance package, LT models can still be ordered with a lowered suspension, upgraded brakes and Recaro bucket seats up front.

Not all the extra features apply to all the higher trims. For example, forward-collision alert that comes in the 3LT is missing from the LT1 and 1SS. Likewise with wireless charging, rear parking sensors, rear camera mirror, and the heated steering wheel. Buyers need to know what they absolutely want and what they’re prepared to live without.

Among the other options that may or may not be available across the new Chevy Camaro range are heated/ventilated front seats, Brembo brakes (with a choice of caliper colors), 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bose audio system, alloy pedals, upgraded anti-roll bars, red seat belts, spoilers and diffusers. A powered sunroof is offered with the coupes.

The base engine in the 2022 Camaro is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit making 275 horsepower. A 6-speed manual transmission sends that to just the rear wheels.

This engine/transmission setup is standard in the LS and LT models. An 8-speed automatic transmission is optional.

The 1/2/3LT cars offer the choice of a 335-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. Once again, the 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with a 10-speed automatic on the options list.

A 6.2-liter V8 endows the LT1 and SS versions with 455 horsepower. From the LT1 trim and up, the standard 6-speed manual gearbox has active rev matching to make downshifts as smooth as possible. Or there’s the option of a 10-speed automatic.

Another 6.2-liter V8 is in the ultimate Chevrolet Camaro, the ZL1. In this instance, it’s supercharged to generate a wonderfully excessive 650 horsepower. The 6-speed manual transmission can be replaced by a 10-speed automatic.

All the automatics have paddle shifters mounted beneath the steering wheel, so drivers can still change gears when they want. The V6 is fine with regular gasoline, the other engines require premium.

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: 19/29 mpg (manual), 22/30 mpg (auto)

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

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

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)