With eight trims, four engines, three transmission options, and both a coupe and convertible to choose from, there’s a Camaro out there to fit the particular needs of every drive and every budget. Ranging in starting price from about $25,000 to $63,000, the 2022 Chevy Camaro is definitely one of the more affordable performance coupes on the market, with models well within reach of the average driver and the enthusiast. This value makes up for some of the Camaro’s shortcomings because while it might not be the best choice as an everyday vehicle, the low price tag makes it the perfect addition to any garage.
The 2022 model year sees a Camaro largely unchanged from previous iterations, but there’s still a lot to explore. From a race-ready trim package to fully customizable driving modes and some cutting-edge interior tech features, Chevy has somehow managed to pack an impressive slate of amenities into its flagship muscle car without inflating the price tag. We’re not saying that features like an available heads-up display, customizable interior lighting, or snow and ice-ready driving modes are on the top of our list when it comes to features we expect from vehicles in the segment, but they go a long way towards increasing the allure of an already considerable bargain.
Tons of Trims
The 2022 Camaro comes in eight trims, including the highest-end ZL1, a 650 horsepower beast that’s deserving of its own post. The rear-wheel drive performance coupe comes with four different engine options, from an efficient 2.0-liter Turbo I-4 offering 280 horsepower to a 3.6-liter V6 or a massive 6.2-liter V8 on the upper-tier LT1, 1SS, and 2SS models. The V8 is the real highlight here, putting the muscle into muscle car with 455 horsepower and a matching 455 pound-feet of torque. While this impressive power and low-end torque come at the cost of fuel efficiency, it’s a fair trade-off for the ability to accelerate from zero to sixty in 4.1 seconds.
The V6 is no slouch in its own right. A noticeable upgrade from the four-cylinder option, the V6 is more responsive and impressively louder than the entry-level option. With 335 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque, the V6 Camaro posts an impressive zero-to-sixty of just over 5 seconds: the type of numbers that’ll have you challenging every passerby to an impromptu quarter-mile.
Those looking to really unlock the Camaro’s potential should consider springing for the track-ready 1LE package. The muscle car might not be the most practical choice for daily driving owing to its lack of cargo space and modest rear seats, but with the 1LE package, it’s easily the most fun. Available on the ZL1 and SS trims, the 1LE Track Performance package allows the performance vehicle to punch well above its weight and give some of the big boys a run for their money. Case in point: when put up against some well-heeled competition on the track, a 1LE-equipped Camaro posted better times than a Porsche Cayman GT4, an Audi R8 V10 Plus, and a Ferrari 458 Italia – not bad for a muscle car that retails for under $50k.
The 1LE Track Performance Package includes the 6.2-liter V8 with Active Rev Matching, as well as a host of game-changing performance upgrades, including a dual-mode exhaust system, Brembo® brakes, and Magnetic Ride Control to improve handling. An electronic limited-slip differential, performance copper-free brakes, and a new Track Cooling Package give the Camaro the hardware necessary to keep its cool no matter how high you get those RPMs.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a track-ready performance package without a nice little makeover, and the 1LE trim delivers in that department as well. Styling upgrades include 20-inch Satin Graphite forged aluminum wheels, Satin Black hood wrap, and three-piece rear blade spoiler, microfiber-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar performance tires. Some models include available RECARO performance bucket seats, which go a long way in adding to the Camaro’s race-ready feel.
Customized Control
Further adding to the Camaro’s feeling of customization is the coupe’s Driver Control Mode, which allows drivers to shift between Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and Track modes. Again, this isn’t necessarily a feature we’d expect at the price, but the ability to shift from a sportier driving style to one geared to comfort or safety really expands the Camaro’s functionality, making it a practical choice for a wider variety of driving conditions. By subtly tweaking the calibration of different software components within the vehicle, the Driver Control Mode can adjust the exhaust, suspension, steering, powertrain, and Magnetic Ride Control to provide an almost entirely different type of ride.
Tour mode is the Camaro’s default setting, offering a perfect balance of power and comfort that makes for enjoyable everyday driving. Those looking for a little more excitement might want to engage Sport and Track mode, which activates the system’s Performance Shift Features to maintain lower transmission gears as a means of improving acceleration response.
Sport mode is ideal for drivers seeking a more responsive ride, instructing the Camaro to downshift to a lower gear when it detects an aggressive driving style to improve performance and hold a gear for longer than it normally would. Steering also becomes more responsive when in Sport mode, and on models equipped with Magnetic Ride Control, the vehicle will automatically adjust its suspension to improve cornering. Drivers who spring for Active Exhaust will see their exhaust valves open early and often in Sport mode, allowing the Camaro to maximize its powerful potential.
Those who spring for the V8 model will have yet another Sports-tuned driving mode to choose from: Competitive Driving Mode. Accessed by pressing the Sports or Track mode button twice in quick succession; this mode is perfect for drivers looking to remove some of the Camaro’s factory-installed safety nets when it comes time to tear up the track. Competitive Driving Mode functions much the same as Sports mode but also deactivates the vehicle’s traction control system and drastically reduces the amount of Stabilitrak control being applied. These tweaks allow the Camaro to drift more than these systems would usually allow, which can make all the difference in some high-performance applications.
Drivers seeking the most responsive handling possible will want to check out Track mode, which downshifts the transmission automatically, regardless of current driving style. Other than operating in a lower gear at all times, Track mode functions very similarly to Sport mode in terms of automatic transmission and steering. The gas pedal also becomes more responsive when in Track mode, giving the driver greater control over acceleration. Competitive Driving Mode is also available as part of Track mode, which is limited to Camaros with V8 engines as well as all versions of the Camaro SS.
Lastly, Snow/Ice mode provides a safer, more controlled ride in adverse conditions. When Snow/Ice mode is activated, the Camaro will adjust its acceleration to make for a smoother launch and improve traction by tweaking its transmission shifting response. Snowy and icy conditions aren’t usually the most fun when driving a performance coupe like the 2022 Camaro, but it’s certainly nice to have should you ever forget to check the forecast before you set out for a drive.
Comfort and Creature Features
For most performance coupes priced below $30,000, the focus is usually on just that: performance. We’re accustomed to seeing some Spartan interiors within the segment, but Chevy has stepped up its game with the 2022 Camaro. Previous models left us a little underwhelmed when it came to interior amenities and materials, and while the new model doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s a definite step up from previous iterations.
First though, the downsides: there’s no getting around the fact that the Camaro’s rear seats are going to feel cramped for most full-grown adults. This limits the coupe’s practicality as an everyday vehicle, but then, that’s not what the performance coupe segment’s really ever been about in the first place. The front seats are exceedingly comfortable, and if designers had to choose just one area to focus on, they seem to have made the right choice. Storage space is also lacking, and there have been some complaints around a lack of visibility from the driver’s seat POV, but that’s really just the price you pay for a low-slung coupe with responsive handling.
The cabin even features some next-gen tech we wouldn’t normally expect from vehicles in the segment, like wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker Bose sound system. Then there are the tech features we don’t expect from any segment but which come as a welcomed surprise on the 2022 Camaro. Chief amongst these is Chevy’s unique heads-up display system, which projects relevant driving, safety, and communication info directly onto the windshield. Simply click the HUD button located to the left of the Camaro’s steering wheel to activate the display, and change the information being displayed with the INFO button. Users can scroll through a range of stats and data, including speed, fuel range, driver assistance features, audio, phone, and navigation info. The HUD’s brightness can also be controlled at the touch of a button, allowing drivers to adjust the display depending on the ambient light or time of day.
Another fun creature feature is the Camaro’s customizable interior ambient lighting. This type of technology has long existed as an available aftermarket upgrade for enthusiasts from the “Fast and Furious” set, but it’s fun to see automakers embracing the trend and integrating it into their stock models. By navigating to the ambient lighting icon on the 8-inch display, drivers can choose between 24 accent colors that will illuminate the dash, doors, and cup holders with the hue of their choice. These include all the expected colors on the spectrum, as well as some two-tone options that will subtly shift between, say, purple and teal or green and light blue. There’s also a demo mode perfect for car shows that’ll cause the ambient lights to shift between all available colors, as well as a mode select option where drivers can link a specific color palette to a particular driving mode. This last feature really adds to the Camaro’s feeling of personalization, transforming the coupe from red-trimmed Sport mode to icy blue Track mode or soft yellow Touring mode.
Smartphone connectivity is nothing new in today’s vehicles, but Chevy has pulled ahead as one of the leaders in the industry with its Chevy MyLink system. By connecting your smartphone to the Camaro’s USB port, drivers will see their phone’s apps ported directly onto the coupe’s 8-inch Infotainment 3 display. No cord? No problem. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can both be accessed without connecting to the USB port, allowing drivers to stream content directly to their vehicle’s infotainment system without getting all tangled up.
The Perfect Muscle Car for Anyone
With the 2022 Camaro, Chevy continues to carve out a niche in the market. While there is no shortage of high-performance American muscle cars out there to choose from, the Camaro rises to the top thanks to its generous slate of amenities, near-endless customization, and the brawn under the hood to back up its aggressive styling. The 1LE package is a game-changer within the category, allowing the Camaro to hang with top-of-the-line performance cars that cost double, triple, and even quadruple its modest starting price.
Multiple driving modes increase the Camaro’s functionality, making it a more practical choice for regular driving with the inclusion of forward-thinking features such as Snow/Ice mode. The interior showcases some of the best Chevy has to offer in terms of in-cabin tech, with features like a heads-up display and customizable ambient lighting bringing some much-appreciated futuristic flavor into the interior. The Camaro has long captured driver’s attention for its well-balanced approach to the muscle car segment, and the 2022 model carries on that tradition to the present day.
