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We find out if the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro is the one to have or if a lightly used model might end up being a better value.
New vs Used: Chevy Camaro
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The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro is almost entirely unchanged compared to last year. The only notable difference is that Chevy won’t let you specify the 1LE package on any Camaro that isn’t a V8. With that in mind, we’re digging in to find out if a used Camaro might end up being a better buy. This generation of the pony car has been around since 2016 so we’re going to take one from 2018, after a couple of years’ worth of refinements, and see if it’s the better value over one that’s brand new.
Specs
The 2022 Chevy Camaro is available with four engines, two transmissions, and no less than eight different trim levels. That’s identical to the 2018 model save for the fact that the older car has two fewer trim levels. In fact, as we take a deeper look into the Camaro we find that for the most part, the bones of this car are largely unchanged despite a four-year production span between them.
Each one starts out its base level trim with a 275-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Above that is a 335-horsepower 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6. Atop those is another tried and true naturally aspirated engine, this time in the form of a 455-horsepower V8. Finally, they’re all dwarfed by a supercharged version of that V8 sitting under the hood of the range-topping ZL1 trim.
With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that they get almost identical fuel economy numbers too. The most fuel-efficient Camaro will get an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined while the worst will get 15 or 16 depending on transmission choice. Pricing is an interesting story too but we’ll come back to it at the end.
Driving and Performance
The sixth-generation Chevy Camaro is unquestionably an excellent driver’s car. In fact, it now stands as the last sports car that Chevrolet has made with a V8 in the front and power to the rear wheels after the Corvette went mid-engine. We’ve highlighted it in both our 2021 review of the car and last year’s, but it’s worth noting that even the 2018 model is excellent. Since they use the same exact driveline and components we’ll cover them together here.
These sports cars are incredibly well-balanced and communicative. The steering and pedals keep the driver fully aware of just how much or how little grip they have in the moment and offer satisfying responses to inputs. We really don’t dislike any of the four engines or either of the transmission choices here either.
The four-cylinder is faster than you might expect and if you buy a used one, you can tune it for even more power without worrying about the warranty. The V6 does a decent job of bridging the gap between the four-cylinder and the V8 though we wish it had more torque. It’s less engaging for 2022 as it lacks the option of adding the 1LE track pack that we love so much.
Finally, the V8s are masterpieces. The naturally aspirated unit is shockingly quick for having just 455 horsepower on tap. Pair it with the 10-speed automatic and you won’t believe how smoothly and ferociously it works to find its top-speed limiter. The supercharged ZL1 is a different beast altogether and can easily beat out its rivals, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the Shelby Mustang GT500 around a track when in the right hands.
Comfort and Interior
To produce a car at this price point with this sort of power and performance envelope, Chevrolet has to save some cash somewhere and that ends up being in the cabin. The materials from door to door are a step or two below rivals from other countries that offer better quality but typically less power. Tradeoffs have to be made and to own a Camaro you’ll have to accept cheaper plastics, somewhat drab upholstery, and less technology than you might expect. That goes for both the 2018 and the 2022 model but we’ll parse out some of the slight changes here.
The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across the entire lineup, which is something the 2018 model doesn’t have going for it. The newer car also has updated ambient lighting in cars equipped with it as well as an updated Infotainment 3 system which is a little faster, more intuitive, and customizable.
New vs Used Chevy Camaro Trims and Features
For 2018 the Camaro starts off with the LS or 1LS trim as it’s sometimes called. It gets the four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The V6 is an optional extra until we get to the V8 models. In addition, it has 18-inch wheels, LED running lights, power-adjustable front seats, and a 7-inch infotainment system.
The LT or 1LT adds remote start, an automatic transmission option, and paddle shifters. Those who add the technology package will get a Bose audio system and an 8-inch infotainment system.
The 2LT adds dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and ventilated front seats. A convenience package then tacks on a wireless device charger, blind-spot monitoring, and a heads-up display.
The 1SS features the same interior equipment as the 1LT but adds the big V8, 20-inch wheels, four-piston Brembo brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlights, upgraded gauges, and a track driving mode.
The 2SS adds the 2LT features to the 1SS along with the convenience package and special interior and exterior trim.
The ZL1 is the daddy of them all with its 650-horsepower supercharged V8 along with all of the features from the 2SS. It also gets launch control and has access to a 1LE Extreme Track Performance Pack with 19-inch wheels, a carbon fiber hood, tinted tail lights, wider tires, and a race-oriented suspension.
The 2022 car starts with the same engine and transmission on the 1LS trim. It also gets 18-inch wheels, keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.
Above that is the 1LT with its optional V6, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and satellite radio.
The 2LT adds dual-zone automatic climate control along with heated and ventilated seats.
The 3LT adds an 8-inch infotainment system, a nine-speaker Bose sound system, an upgraded driver information display, driver’s seat memory settings, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, a heads-up display, and blind-spot monitoring.
The LT1 basically goes back to the 1LT interior trim but again adds the V8, 20-inch wheels, Brembo front brakes, and an external oil cooler.
The 1SS gets Brembo brakes on the rear, a rear spoiler, an 8-inch infotainment system, and enhanced powertrain cooling.
Buyers who opt for the 2SS get the V8 with the features from the 3LT.
The ZL1 gets the 650-horsepower V8 with wider tires, adaptive suspension dampers, an electronic limited-slip differential, Recaro bucket seats, and upgraded brakes.
The Verdict
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It’s clear that these two sports cars are almost identical. That’s to be expected but what really makes this an easy choice is pricing. For 2022, the base Camaro starts out with an MSRP of $26,395. The king of the lineup, the ZL1, starts at $65,895. Used car prices typically offer buyers the chance to pick up the make and model that they want but with a discount since it already has some miles on it.
Sadly, the used-car market isn’t providing that value right now. The 2018 Chevy Camaro is commonly priced above what you’d pay for a brand new one. There’s no question then that a new Camaro with a full warranty is the way to go so long as you don’t agree to pay greedy dealer markups.
