What's New
When the Chevrolet Camaro received a refresh in 2019, many fans were disappointed by the gaping blacked-out nose. Now, they should rejoice, as the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro gets a more traditional front end and a few other tweaks.
The other big news is the addition of a new trim, which makes the 6.2-liter V8 engine more affordable. The V6 powerplant gains access to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and there are a few minor changes to feature distribution and color selection.
Choosing Your Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevy Camaro comes in eight trims, unhelpfully categorized with a mishmash of numbers and letters: 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, LT1, 1SS, 2SS, and ZL1. The available convertible comes in all trims but the 1LS. Prices start at $25,995 including destination for a 1LS and progress up to $64,695 for the performance-oriented ZL1.
Engine Choices
The Camaro can come with any of four engines, each with different personalities. The 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT come standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The latter three are available with a 3.6-liter V6 for $1,595. The LT1, 1SS, and 2SS feature a 6.2-liter V8, while the ZL1 gets a supercharged version of it.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder | 275 hp | 295 lb-ft | 25 mpg |
3.6L V6 | 335 hp | 284 lb-ft | 22 mpg |
6.2L V8 | 455 hp | 455 lb-ft | 20 mpg |
6.2L Supercharged V8 | 650 hp | 650 lb-ft | 16 mpg |
In true muscle-car form, all engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission is available across the lineup for $1,495 or $1,595, depending on the trim. The base four-cylinder engine uses an eight-speed automatic, while all the others use a 10-speed.
The V6 adds a respectable amount of grunt, but it’s the V8 that most enthusiasts will be after. The new LT1 trim starts just under $35,000, making it the most affordable way into a V8 muscle car.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Chevrolet Camaro seats four passengers, but only two will be comfortable. The second row has less than 30 inches of legroom. Cargo capacity is similarly disappointing at only 9.1 cubic feet in the coupe, or 7.3 in the convertible. Even the Ford Mustang manages better.
Safety Features
The Camaro isn’t an all-star in the safety department. There are no standard active safety features, and none show up until the 3LT trim.
The 3LT, 2SS, and ZL1 come standard with forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. System like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking aren't available at all.
The Camaro does carry a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Connectivity
The Chevy Camaro comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and wi-fi hot spot capability.
On the 3LT, 1SS, 2SS, and ZL1 an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and an 8-inch driver information display become standard. The 3LT, 2SS, and ZL1 also get a head-up display and a Bose audio system.
The Technology Package ($900) on lower trims adds the 8-inch touchscreen and Bose audio system.
The Camaro 1LS makes an affordable entry point for the line, as long as you can live with the base engine. It’s the only option, and the 1LS also comes standard with 18-inch wheels, manual seat adjustment, and cloth upholstery.
There isn’t much choice in the options list, either. The only packages available are for aesthetics, adding things like a rear spoiler or black interior trim. Remote start is available, but only for buyers willing to upgrade to the automatic transmission.
For the $500 price increase, the 1LT trim only adds satellite radio and a six-way power passenger seat, but it does open up a host of options, starting with the powertrain – the V6 engine is now available.
For racing enthusiasts, a performance suspension is available in the 1LE Track Performance Package ($4,500), which also includes 20-inch wheels, front Brembo brakes, and upgraded cooling.
The 2LT is a step-up in the luxury department. It adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Otherwise, the 2LT resembles the 1LT in body and engine selection. The packages and options remain the same, too.
The upgrades are many in the 3LT, from the 8-inch touchscreen to the aforementioned active safety features. A head-up display, the Bose audio system, a heated steering wheel, aluminum interior trim, ambient lighting, heated and auto-dimming side mirrors, and memory functionality for the driver's seat and side mirrors round out the upgrades.
The LT1 stays light on features, but it comes with the 455-horsepower V8 to make up for it. The LT1 also comes with 20-inch wheels, front Brembo brakes, a performance suspension, black bow tie emblems, and the SS trim’s vented hood.
The Technology Package is still available at this trim, but the Track Performance Package isn’t. Chevy will swap in Recaro bucket seats for $1,595, and navigation is a $450 option.
The 1SS trim shares its V8 engine with the LT1, but it comes with the upgraded infotainment included standard. The active safety features and head-up display aren't standard here.
Buyers who want the Track Performance Package with the V8 engine will want this trim, here costing $7,000. It includes Recaro seats, magnetic ride damping, black aerodynamic kit, and beefy Brembo brakes. For another $1,970, Chevy will sharpen up the suspension with magnetic damping control in the 1LE Spec Suspension Package.
The 2SS level ratchets up the safety and luxury back to 3LT levels with the performance chops of the SS. Leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, the head-up display, the active safety tech, the heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and memory functionality are back as standard.
The ZL1 is a sports car hiding in a pony-car body, and the king of the Camaro hill. Starting with a fearsome supercharged V8, it adds an electronic limited-slip differential, front and rear Brembo brakes, Recaro bucket seats, and an aggressive body kit.
Twenty-inch Dark Graphite wheels wear sticky summer tires, and the magnetic ride control comes standard. The ZL1 gets the works in the luxury department, too – options like the Bose sound system are standard here.
The ZL1 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package ($7,500) includes carbon fiber body elements, a front splitter, even stickier rubber, and a performance suspension. The carbon fiber hood insert is available on its own for $600. For another $1,300, Chevy will include a data recorder for logging laps at the track.
Compare Camaro Trims Side-By-Side
The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 is a great value, but the 2SS is worth the premium. It marries the best of the luxury upgrades with the V8 soundtrack the Camaro deserves.