2019 Chevrolet Camaro Road Test and Review

The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro is the smart person’s pony car or muscle car. Sure, the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger have their charms, but test drive all three and chances are good that the big decision will fall in favor of the Chevy. There’s an agility that’s unmatched by the other two, plus a modernity that makes its rivals seem outdated.

This model year sees revised front and rear styling, updates to the infotainment system, more safety features, a new entry-level LS trim, and new colors and wheel designs. The V8-powered SS now offers the option of a 10-speed automatic transmission. These changes strengthen the Camaro’s claim to the top step of the class podium. Read on for more details.

The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro range starts at $25,995 for the LS coupe with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, or $32,495 for the convertible. The 1LT is priced from $26,495, the 2LT (with leather) from $28,495, and the new 3LT with the V6 from $31,995. Moving up to the V8-powered models, the 1SS begins at $37,995, while the 2SS is priced from $42,995. There’s also the ZL1 (from $62,495), but we have yet to drive the 2019 version of that specialist track-going machine.

These prices undercut the Mustang and the Challenger, although both rivals start out with slightly more power (310 horsepower and 305 horsepower respectively, against the Chevy’s 275). However, the Camaro’s inventory of standard equipment gives it another edge.

Some highlights among the list of standard features include keyless entry/ignition, selectable drive modes, 18-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, a high-definition rearview camera, a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, Wi-Fi for up to seven devices, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. The higher trims naturally come with extra equipment and bigger engines.

Again, even in its more expensive iterations, the Camaro makes a compelling case against its Detroit counterparts. And the term “performance bargain” doesn’t seem to exist in the German language if the Audi TT, BMW 2 Series, and Porsche 718 Cayman are any indications.

Many extras are dedicated to making the Camaro even more suitable for track day shenanigans, like a performance data recorder. For this new model year, the 1LE track package is now available with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This bundle brings a sportier suspension, limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and various aerodynamic additions.

Buyers may also select a rear camera mirror (with an enhanced camera-supplied image where the regular rearview mirror would be), Recaro sport seats, an adaptive suspension, and 20-inch wheels. Some of these items are standard in the higher trims. We would like to have seen driver aids like blind-spot monitoring at least available in the lower trims, but only the pricier versions offer them.

Don’t think the 2.0-liter turbo is just for posers who want the Camaro style but can’t handle the power of the bigger engines. Not only does it make a respectable 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, but it’s also the lightest of the three options. The result is a front end that can respond sharply to steering inputs and contribute to an overall balanced feel.

The 3.6-liter V6 develops 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque, which admittedly does feel good to exploit. And the 6.2-liter V8 in the SS versions brings 455 hp and 455 lb-ft into the mix. This is seriously quick and spine-tingling to hear. Drivers need to exercise restraint, because the roar and the rush are addictive.

The big transmission story for 2019 is the optional 10-speed automatic paired with the SS version’s V8. It has a special mode so people with money to fritter on fresh tires can get the rear wheels spinning before heading toward the horizon. On a less frivolous note, this transmission allows the SS to be even more responsive at low speeds while also providing a relaxed and fuel-efficient freeway cruise. It’s been tuned for extremely fast shifts, using the steering wheel-mounted paddles or not, and they’re a joy to experience when accelerating.

The standard transmission is a six-speed manual with a rev-matching feature on the downshifts; the automatic option before the SS level offers eight speeds.

Zipping from standstill to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with the 2.0T is still immensely pleasurable, even though the V6 is in front by 0.2 of a second and the V8 naturally trounces both with a 4-second sprint time — sounding awesome in the process. There are no wrong engine choices with the Camaro, only matters of taste and budget.

The SS is the true muscle car of the range, though, also capable of putting in a quarter-mile time of 12.5 seconds while reaching 115.2 mph. Anything from a European marque with this much thrust would cost considerably more, yet the 2019 Camaro SS also has the suspension dynamics to run with the Euro pack.

For a sporty machine, the Camaro has a forgiving ride quality and a relatively quiet cabin. Naturally, the convertible’s body flexes a little when driving over rough surfaces, but it’s bearable. As we mentioned earlier, the 2.0T is a thrill to throw around, safe in the knowledge that the sane degree of power keeps everything else sensible.

Up at the V8 level, the Camaro becomes a different animal, but it's no less talented. The extra weight up front makes the steering a little less sharp, although the wonderful power certainly compensates for it. The 1LE package enhances the handling prowess even more, turning the Camaro into a credible track-day car, regardless of which engine is under the hood.

A new front end for 2019 translates into different nose treatments for various trim levels, but LED daytime running lights are standard on every model. The tails, meanwhile, are more uniform and receive LED lights as well.

Everyone will have their own reaction to the revised design. The styling has evolved away from the retro appearance of the 2010-2015 fifth generation. But in a couple of decades, we might well reminisce about the 2019 Chevy Camaro and wish cars still looked like that. The classic coupe silhouette of a long nose and short, fastback-shaped cabin still works its magic on driving enthusiasts. And the convertible version works just as well, aesthetically speaking, with the roof up or down.

The Camaro’s cabin couldn’t be described as light, spacious, and airy. The large rear pillars in the coupe — and a similar expanse of fabric when the convertible’s roof is up — means that blind-spot monitoring is a worthwhile option. The rear camera mirror is also a great innovation that improves rearward three-quarter vision by “deleting” the back pillars from the image.

The quality of the Camaro's plastics is “OK” rather than “heading upmarket.” But the important things are done right, like the driving position and how there are cushioned spots at the sides of the center console where one’s knees would rub.

Even at this point in the 21st century, there’s still a special romance to driving an iconic American car like a Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, or Chevrolet Camaro. But for enthusiasts whose tastes have been refined and broadened by exposure to how well European cars can handle, then there’s only one choice: the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro.

It’s built on the same platform as the excellent Cadillac ATS and CTS, so there’s refinement and handling talent right from the beginning. The infotainment system was already well-respected before this update. Now a user can log in and have preferences loaded, or transfer that profile to another Chevy. With useful details like wireless device charging, the Camaro can be an everyday car.