If there is one thing that car manufacturers strive for, it is beautiful styling and national acclaim.
Most cars with a long heritage have gone through a period of questionable styling, but the Chevrolet Camaro always has been a car of its own, having gone toe-to-toe with its competition in every generation.
The newly redesigned 2019 Camaro is no exception and brings a lot more than looks to the table.
Let’s talk looks. Before the refresh, the Camaro looked muscular and had several callbacks to the original 1960s design language, but for 2019 it looks entirely new with a much more aggressive and angry design with a black accented front bumper and vented hood.
This design is exclusive to the 1SS trim and higher though. The lower trims have a much more reserved look with a full-body color front bumper and one piece hood. The looks alone are a good reason to get the higher trim, but the 6.2-liter V8 is the most compelling.
In the 1SS and 2SS trim levels are a 6.2-liter V8 engine making 455 horsepower and 455 foot-pounds of torque while also maintaining 16 mpg city and 24 mpg city. The middle trim, the 3LT, comes with a 3.6L V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 284 foot-pounds of torque while getting the same mpg as the V8 in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
The lower trims come with a 2.0L 275 horsepower turbocharged engine making 295 foot-pounds of torque, but also maintains an impressive 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway rating. The top tier ZL1 trim with a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine making 650 horsepower and 650 foot-pounds of torque also is available, but remains largely unchanged for 2019.
Inside the cabin of the 2019 Camaro, you have the option of either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. I was given a 2SS convertible model which comes standard with the larger screen and the whole system feels a lot smoother and more responsive than the 2018 models I have driven.
Another huge upgrade is the new 10-speed automatic transmission which is able to decrease the 0-60 times of the previous model years. I also was treated by a heads-up display and another 8-inch display with the gauge cluster. The leather seats now are both heated and cooled which was a blessing being able to drive with the top down and still be comfortable no matter the temperature.
Starting at $25,995 for the base 1LS model, the new Camaro is available to almost everyone. The higher trim with the larger engines start at $31,995 for the 3LT with the V6 and $37,995 for the V8 powered 1SS.
The monstrous ZL1 starts at $62,995 — and frankly that’s a deal for a car that can beat sports cars that cost over double the money, but that is a very niche need. For everyone else, the Camaro is a blast to drive and I can’t wait to see where this lineage will go next.
Grant Miller is the publisher of Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277 or via email at Grant@CommunityNewspapers.com.
