The Chevrolet Camaro is an iconic American performance car, but its star has faded in recent years against the newer and more desirable Ford Mustang. The car will fade further when it’s discontinued following the 2024 model year.
Chevy left the 2022 Camaro alone, but the car got a few updates for 2021. They include a new RS package and 1LE package, a Brembo brakes package, and a heated steering wheel for the 3LT model. The high-performance Camaro SS and LT1 got new appearance packages, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new RS and Redline Edition packages, and an available Performance Package for cars equipped with the ten-speed automatic transmission.
Powertrains stick around from 2021, which means a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the base mill. It makes a respectable 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and sends it to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. An available 3.6-liter V6 produces 335 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque, which can be had with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The LT1 and SS get a 6.2-liter V8 with 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. It comes paired with a six-speed manual or ten-speed auto.
The Camaro may be aging, and it may offer poor outward visibility, but its chassis and handling are surprisingly sharp. GM’s chassis wizards set the car up for success, and its suspension keeps the car comfy while delivering great cornering and turning capabilities. Chevy offers a Brembo front brake package that shortens stopping distances, and some models are available with MagneRide adaptive suspension.
Chevy does a good job of making its base-model cars feel better than basic, and the Camaro’s a great example of that prowess. It gets a power driver’s seat, automatic climate controls, folding rear seats, OnStar, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, keyless open and start, and more.
The Camaro comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen that runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offers Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, HD Radio, and voice controls. Though the unit’s housing and surrounding materials look and feel cheap, the interface running on the display is one of the easiest to use on the market today. It’s colorful and responsive, and it offers a simple way to interact with the car when driving.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Camaro “Good” ratings in most crash test categories but scored it “Acceptable” for roof strength and “Basic” for its standard crash-prevention tech. Nearly all advanced features are optional, including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, forward-collision warnings, and more.
The 2022 Chevrolet Camaro starts at $26,395 for the base 1LS model. Moving up to sportier LT1 and SS models drives the price to $35,845 and $38,895, respectively.