2021 Chevrolet Camaro vs 2020 Porsche 911

The 2020 Porsche 911 was a head-turner in Miami, reminiscent of the car driven by Will Smith in "Bad Boys For Life." Renting a dark blue 2020 Carrera S with only 2,000 miles on the clock was an unexpected delight. The new 992 model's design enhancements, such as the widebody styling, vertical slats on the engine cover, and a single thin taillight wrapping around the back, made it stand out. The car's athletic stance and fluid shapes were complemented by its low, sloping roof and large tires, making it a perfect blend of elegance and sportiness. The interior, though minimalist, could be customized to look exquisite with various color combinations and materials, although the base interior felt somewhat cheap for its price.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro offered buyers the choice between coupe and convertible body styles, both maintaining a fierce look. The Camaro came in eight trim levels, with the 2SS Coupe being the focus of this review. Standard features included 18-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, a limited-slip differential, and LED daytime running lights. The interior, refreshed in 2019, had a stylish design but raised functionality questions. The screens and controls appeared to be parts-bin specials, typical of General Motors. The Camaro also offered various Wild Cherry design packs, adding unique wheel and graphics designs, ground effects, carbon fiber accents, and suede knee pads.

The 2020 Porsche 911 excelled in every performance measure, with its unbendable chassis and immense rear grip. The rear engine over the axle, low weight, and precise gearing and software made it a formidable competitor against supercars with V8s and 600-plus horsepower. The 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 featured twin-turbo powertrains with 379 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, while the Carrera S and 4S boasted 443 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (PDK) was standard, with a seven-speed manual available for the S and 4S models. The 911's staggered-diameter tires and firm ride quality added to its performance prowess, making it a well-mannered and confident machine in every situation. Fuel economy was decent, with the rear-wheel-drive Carrera S achieving an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro offered a range of engines, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could upgrade to a 3.6-liter V6 with 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque or choose from two V8 engines: a 6.2-liter V8 with 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque, and a supercharged version delivering 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Camaro's six-speed manual transmission was less fuel-efficient than its automatic counterparts, with the turbo-four manual achieving 19 mpg city, 29 highway, and 22 combined. The V8 engines had similar fuel efficiency, with the 6.2-liter V8 manual getting 16/24/19 mpg city/highway/combined. The Camaro's drive mode selector offered customizable attributes and up to four selectable drive modes, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Porsche 911 featured supportive, comfortable front seats and large windows for easy visibility. The cabin's simplicity allowed for a focus on driving, with a few toggle switches for essential functions. The infotainment system was fast and easy to use, with a motion sensor that detected when your hand was near. The 911 offered 5 cubic feet of luggage space under the front trunk and an additional 9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The convertible model could lower or raise its soft-top in 12 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. The 911 was built like a normal car, making it easy to use, park, and drive every day.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro came standard with cloth upholstery and front bucket seats, with options for leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats were relatively comfortable, but the narrow windscreen limited visibility. The rear seats were not suitable for adults, and the trunk's high load height and narrow opening limited usability. The Camaro's leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel and manual tilting and telescoping steering column added to its appeal. The position of the front cupholders was problematic for manual transmission models, making it difficult to shift with drinks in the holders.

The 2020 Porsche 911 came standard with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and high-resolution touchscreens. Porsche Connect offered remote functions and onboard LTE WiFi. However, the base stereo system was subpar, and many features like heated seats and power-folding mirrors were optional. The Premium package added a Bose stereo, 360 cameras, and blind-spot monitoring. Advanced features like a night-vision camera, Porsche InnoDrive, and rain sensors were available, enhancing the 911's tech capabilities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro was equipped with a 7-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system, 4G LTE WiFi hot spot, and keyless entry and start. Optional features included a head-up display, navigation, Bose premium audio system, satellite radio, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charging, and a rear-camera mirror. The driver information screen and infotainment touchscreen were functional but suffered from a forward lean that caused glare. The USB ports were hidden in the center console, and the wireless charging pad was awkwardly positioned.

The 2020 Porsche 911 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection and front/rear parking sensors. Optional features included lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. The IIHS gave it a mix of "Good," "Acceptable," and "Basic" ratings, while the NHTSA awarded it five-star and four-star ratings. Available safety features included rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and rear parking sensors. Some safety technology was not available on convertible models.