Overview

Today’s muscle car is more than just a grumpy face with a bellowing V-8 exhaust note. The Camaro’s best party trick used to only happen with the steering wheel straight, but modern chassis technology makes Chevy’s only four-seater sports coupe an exciting dance partner. Available as a hard-shell coupe or soft-top convertible, the Camaro packs some serious personality. Power has three tiers, starting with a 275-hp turbocharged inline-four, stepping up to a 335-hp V-6, and escalating to a 455-hp V-8 from the C7 Corvette. The current sixth-generation Camaro is getting up there in age, as it has out-survived the Cadillac ATS platform it’s based on by at least five years. While its oldest nemesis, the Ford Mustang, enters another generation thoroughly remade for 2023 the Camaro remains largely the same—though we are not complaining. While its fate isn’t exactly cemented, we still have hope that 2023 won’t be the Camaro’s final year, even while other muscle machines such as the Dodge Challenger and Charger fall limp after 2023.

What’s New for 2023?

The 2023 Camaro doesn’t undergo any significant changes beyond paint choices, badging, and wheels: new 20-inchers are added to the LT, LT1, and SS trims.

In our humble opinion, the best way to experience any new Camaro is the SS with the optional 1LE Track Performance package. It adds distinct appearance pieces such as black-painted 20-inch wheels and satin-black exterior accents as well as unique interior bits that include microsuede trim and more supportive Recaro front seats (SS models only). However, the most important upgrades are the ones that affect performance. Every 1LE has a dual-mode exhaust system, enhanced powertrain-cooling components, more powerful brakes, a limited-slip differential, and special suspension tuning that strikes a Goldilocks balance of not-too-soft, not-too-stiff, but just right for track-day action. While we love that even models with the four-cylinder and V-6 engines offer a 1LE package, we’d choose to pair the best chassis hardware it with the 1SS trim that only comes with the hearty V-8. That decision would coincide with picking the standard manual transmission, of course.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The base 275-hp four-cylinder isn’t slow—we tested a manual model that proved surprisingly quick. But uneven throttle responses and unpleasant, unsporting sounds relegate it to the budget-buyer’s choice. On the other hand, upgrading to the 335-hp V-6 completely changes the car’s character. The gutsy six has its own distinctly searing soundtrack. The Camaro LT1 and SS feature Chevy’s iconic small-block V-8, with 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. Its tremendous low-end torque, linear power delivery, and chest-compressing acceleration are enhanced by the optional dual-mode exhaust, which erupts with a sharp bark at startup and thunderous sounds during wide-open-throttle blasts. The standard six-speed manual transmission maintains the enthusiast’s spirit. (For cars not equipped with the 1LE package, the six-speed manual transmission is standard.) An eight-speed automatic is optional with the four-cylinder engine, and a slick-shifting 10-speed automatic can be paired with the V-6 and V-8. The Camaro’s astonishing chassis provides a car-and-driver connection (see what we did there?) that’s unparalleled among pony cars. Its solid structure engenders precise handling and a quality feel. Its well-balanced ride is firm enough to be agile on curvy roads yet still compliant on rough surfaces. Paired with the 1LE setup, the coupes transcend their class—competing with sporting machinery with fancier names costing much, much more. The 1LE-equipped models are taut on the track yet relaxed on regular roads. Their electrically assisted power-steering systems have reasonable efforts and highly accurate responses. The hot Chevy completes the performance trifecta with excellent brakes; the brake pedal consistently provides progressive and reassuring response. The 1LE models get even more powerful, track-ready Brembo brakes.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2023 Camaro with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic is rated at up to 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The V-6 and V-8 powertrains are less frugal, with the six topping out at 18 mpg city and 29 highway and the eight topping out at 16 mpg city and 26 highway. Still, the latter engines performed well on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. We’ve tested each of the Camaro’s three available engines paired with the manual transmission and they were all within 1 mpg (plus or minus) of their government highway ratings. For more information about the Camaro’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Camaro interior is an improvement versus the previous generation, with better materials and a more modern look. Its comfortable front seats and straightforward layout are high points, but its torturously small back seat and compromised visibility inhibit its practicality as a people carrier. An optional head-up display is useful and not offered in the Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang. The Camaro also can be equipped with customizable ambient interior lighting, which adds a cool appearance. The Chevy outshines its rivals on the track and in the fun-to-drive department, but its back seat is basically unusable for adults. The Camaro is also outmatched in terms of cargo space and interior storage. It held the least amount of carry-on luggage compared to its space-stingy rivals and has a laughably small trunk opening.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Camaro has a user-friendly touchscreen that supports Chevy’s Infotainment 3 software. While the larger 8.0-inch touchscreen fills the space better, the plastic bezel looks chintzy, and its downward angle is awkward. Otherwise, its mix of controls and organized menus is appreciated. Chevy’s setup has everything standard—intuitive controls, attractive menus, responsive feedback, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that can be accessed without plugging a smartphone into a USB port.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Although the Chevy pony car also has less driver-assistance technology than its rivals, it’s available with several pieces of safety equipment. For more information about the Camaro’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available forward-collision warning
• Available rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Chevrolet offers a limited and powertrain warranty that compares favorably with Ford and Dodge. The Bow Tie brand provides the first maintenance service free of charge, too.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit