Best compact coupe 2009 Honda Civic Coupe *Est. $15305
Family-friendly midsize coupe 2009 Honda Accord Coupe *Est. $22405
Top premium sport coupe 2009 BMW 3 Series Coupe *Est. $36500
Modern muscle coupe 2010 Chevrolet Camaro *Est. $22245
Value sport coupe 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe *Est. $22000

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2010 Chevrolet Camaro

*Est. $22,245 to $33,430

Reviewed July 2009

Modern muscle coupe

Great styling
Mammoth V-8 punch
Impressive base V-6 power, fuel economy
Good traction
Agile handling
Intuitive radio/ventilation controls
Brembo brakes in SS
Attractive pricing

Polarizing, claustrophobic interior
Cheap interior materials
Poor visibility
High clutch pedal takeup
Small trunk, miniscule trunk opening
Cramped rear seat
OnStar navigation

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Our Analysis

In 2006, General Motors sucked all the air out of the room at the Detroit Auto Show when it presented the Camaro Concept, a modern interpretation of the classic Chevrolet pony car that had been put to pasture after the 2002 model year. Soon thereafter, it was announced that a new production Camaro had been greenlit. Anticipation built steadily -- in 2007, the car was one of the stars of the "Transformers" film. General Motors, in an interesting move, dictated that development mules be stripped of the usual camouflage that keeps the bodywork of upcoming cars secret. As a result, spy photos published in magazines and websites further heightened the excitement ahead of the Camaro coupe's official debut. The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro finally arrived in the spring of 2009. According to most auto critics, the wait for the rear-wheel-drive Chevy coupe was worthwhile.

"Graced with massive power, excellent efficiency, unfailing refinement, and show-stopping looks, the Camaro SS nails every essential for its segment," is how Motor Trend's editors summarize the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS (*Est. $30,245 to $33,430) as they award it the win in a three-way muscle coupe comparison. Edmunds.com also picks the Camaro SS over its rivals, the Ford Mustang GT (*Est. $27,210 to $29,160) and Dodge Challenger R/T (*Est. $30,220), writing, "It packs a talented chassis, performance and, yes, attitude at a price within the reach of working-class stiffs." The 6.2-liter V-8 that powers the Camaro SS makes 400 horsepower with the optional six-speed automatic. The engine in the auto-equipped Camaro SS coupe incorporates a fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation feature and is Environmental Protection Agency-rated at 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. V-8 Camaro coupes with the standard six-speed manual don't get the cylinder-shutoff feature, but they do get 26 more horsepower. The only fuel-economy penalty for the additional grunt is a highway rating that's one mpg lower than the automatic.

While the fire-breathing Camaro SS garners most of the critical attention, the other half of the story is found in the Camaro V-6 (*Est. $22,245 to $26,580). Sold in LS and LT trim levels, it clearly lacks the all-out brawn of the Camaro SS, but its standard direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 still produces a stout 304 horsepower. Car and Driver's Michael Austin says, "Though the V-6 Camaro lacks the cojones to run with the biggest boys, it does make a compelling case as a decent sports car."

Of the optional automatic transmission in the V-6, Jalopnik.com's Wes Siler writes, "it's so good that it renders the steering-wheel-mounted shift buttons largely irrelevant." Automobile magazine's Sam Smith is impressed with the Camaro V-6's composure: "On the road, the V-6 Camaro is surprisingly nimble and light on its feet, especially given its rather hefty curb weight." After driving the base-engined Camaro in a comparison against the new Hyundai Genesis coupe, Car and Driver's John Phillips summarizes, "the Camaro V-6, a car so smartly and enjoyably couped up, is a bargain."

The V-6 Camaro with its optional six-speed automatic transmission has an EPA fuel-economy rating of 18 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. Keeping the standard manual gearbox subtracts one mpg each from the city and combined ratings. Visually, the V-6-powered Camaro coupe is nearly identical to the SS, save for some minor styling cues that differentiate the two.

As appealing as the 2010 Chevy Camaro is to many reviewers, critics have no trouble pointing out its shortcomings, either. Jalopnik.com's Siler says that when you climb into the driver's seat, "the first impression is of claustrophobia." BusinessWeek's Thane Peterson rattles off several practical considerations that don't make the grade: "There's no factory-installed navigation system. The storage compartment in the driver's armrest is extremely small. Then there's the trunk, which is shallow and has a small opening, making it impractical for carrying bulky cargo." Motor Trend goes so far as to call that trunk opening "laughable." Back-seat room is also at a premium. "Contortionists should feel right at home," snarks Cars.com in reference to the cramped rear quarters.

Inside Line's Jason Kavanagh minces no words about the view outward: "If the (Dodge) Challenger is a tank, the Camaro is a bunker. Visibility stinks." Inside Line also summarizes the interior design, writing, "A blend of retro and contemporary cues, the Camaro's interior is ultimately something of a mixed bag." Edmunds.com says "the steering wheel is overstyled and doesn't fit human hands the way it should," and also dings the Camaro for lackluster materials inside. The Camaro's substantial weight is mentioned in several reviews.

All 2010 Chevy Camaro coupe models feature standard driver and passenger airbags, standard antilock brakes and standard electronic stability control. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing the 2010 Camaro coupe earns a five-star rating for driver safety in a side-impact crash, but tests for frontal, rear passenger and rollover safety have not been conducted as of this writing. Likewise, the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not crash-tested the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro coupe.

Because the 2010 Camaro is brand new and so highly anticipated, reviews are abundant. Comparison tests against key segment rivals are conducted by Edmunds Inside Line, Cars.com, Car and Driver, Popular Mechanics and Motor Trend. Single-car reviews are also available at most of the same outlets, as well as ConsumerGuide.com, BusinessWeek, Road & Track, Automobile magazine, Jalopnik.com, and Autoblog.com. Kelley Blue Book puts together a good video review.

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2010 Chevrolet Camaro

Our Sources

1. Edmunds Inside Line

Edmunds Inside Line assembles the Chevy Camaro SS, Ford Mustang GT and Dodge Challenger R/T for a comparison. Overall, the Camaro is the easy winner here, offering up levels of performance that the Mustang and Challenger can't match, combined with distinct attitude and curb appeal.

Review: 2010 Chevy Camaro SS vs. 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T vs. 2010 Ford Mustang GT, Jason Kavanagh, March 22, 2009

2. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

The editors of Motor Trend also compare the latest Detroit muscle machines. The 2010 Chevy Camaro SS takes the win for its combination of fantastic style, immense power, great handling, surprising efficiency and overall value. This article also includes an informative video on the results page.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS vs. 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T vs. 2010 Ford Mustang GT, Arthur St. Antoine, March 21, 2009

3. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

While there's much excitement surrounding the V-8-powered 2010 Chevy Camaro SS, Motor Trend compares the base V-6 Camaro against the V-6 version of the equally new 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8. Todd Lassa enjoys the Camaro but he says the Hyundai Genesis coupe outperforms it and represents the future of the rear-drive sport-coupe category. As has become common practice at Motor Trend, a video is included with the article.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6 vs. 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track, Todd Lassa, July 1, 2009

Popular Mechanics also does a three-way muscle comparo with the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS, 2010 Ford Mustang GT and 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T. The Challenger is deemed the most comfortable, the Mustang is the most engaging, but the Camaro SS is tops thanks to its combination of audacious style, impressive handling and gargantuan power.

Review: 2010 Camaro SS vs 2010 Ford Mustang GT vs 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T Comparison Test Drive: Muscle Car Competition, Ben Stewart, March 23, 2009

5. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver pits the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger against each other in a full comparison test and is shocked to find that the 2010 Ford Mustang GT, bests the much more powerful Camaro SS and Challenger R/T. Ford's iconic, original pony car is the best all-around choice, says writer Aaron Robinson.

Review: 2010 Chevy Camaro SS vs. 2010 Ford Mustang GT, 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T -- Comparison Tests, Aaron Robinson, June 2009

6. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

The V-6-powered, rear-drive 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and 2010 Hyundai Genesis coupes face off in this head-to-head comparison. Car and Driver editors give the edge to the Camaro in a close win, saying it's ultimately easier to live with and drive than the Hyundai.

Review: 2010 Chevy Camaro V6 vs. Hyundai Genesis Coupe V6 -- Comparison Tests, John Phillips, May 2009

7. Cars.com

Cars.com editors compare the three Detroit muscle cars in one of their excellent, easy-to-read Cars.comparisons. The 2010 Chevy Camaro and 2009 Dodge Challenger have their strong points, but the 2010 Ford Mustang takes the overwhelming number of individual comparison categories and the overall win.

Review: Cars.comparison: American Muscle Cars, Joe Bruzek, Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder, July 1, 2009

8. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com editors test both V-6 and V-8 Camaros, and come away impressed with their performance and handling, but register several gripes about the interior, ranging from poor rear headroom to inferior material quality.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

9. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com editors like the 2010 Chevy Camaro: "With segment-topping performance and value to complement its striking styling, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is our top pick among modern-day muscle cars." Complaints include bad visibility and disappointing interior materials.

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

10. Business Week Details/Subscribe

Reviewer Thane Peterson is enamored with the Camaro SS's excellent power, great brakes and impressive handling. He likes the interior, too, but says it's short on storage in the center bin. Anyone taller than 6 feet is unlikely to find comfort in the back seats, he adds.

Review: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, Thane Peterson, July 7, 2009

11. Automobile Magazine Details/Subscribe

Sam Smith can't believe how he feels about the six-cylinder Chevy Camaro. "I have driven a prototype of the 2010 Camaro LS, I have felt the politically correct, environmentally friendly thunder of its 3.6-liter V-6, and I have one thing to say: I want one."

Review: Reviews: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6, Sam Smith, Aug. 26, 2008

12. Jalopnik.com

Jalopnik.com's Wes Siler admits that the 2010 Camaro is a great-looking coupe, but he's mostly disappointed with the rest of the package, saying the overall experience is less satisfying than the last three GM performance vehicles he's driven -- the Chevy Corvette ZR1, the Pontiac G8 GXP, and Cadillac CTS-V -- which left him with loftier expectations.

Review: 2010 Chevy Camaro: First Drive, Wes Siler, March 20, 2009

13. Autoblog.com

Jonathon Ramsey attends the San Diego launch event for the Chevy Camaro and drives both SS and V-6 models. Both impress, but Ramsey is most surprised by how well-behaved the Camaro SS is, even when driven aggressively. In contrast to its wicked outward appearance, "the Camaro acts like a show dog -- all mannered and polite."

Review: First Drive: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, Jonathon Ramsey, March 23, 2009

14. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Michael Austin calls himself the "semi-proud owner of a 1995 Z28" and jokes about many of the stereotypes that have traditionally accompanied Camaro ownership. On a more serious note, he says, "The ride quality of the Camaro doesn't even rate a comparison with the lesser Mustang, and it makes the Challenger's handling feel plodding." Overall, he summarizes: "Chevy is casting the new Camaro as a modernist sports coupe rather than a revisionist pony car, and its case holds some water."

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6 -- Short Take Road Test, Michael Austin, March 2009

15. Road & Track Details/Subscribe

Mike Monticello finds plenty to like about the Camaro SS, from its superb power and good brakes to genuinely good handling, but he knows that there are some tradeoffs for all the good stuff. "As good as the new Camaro SS is, you're not going to hop out and say, 'Man, that's the greatest car I've ever driven.'" It's a bargain, though, and it's "better than ever."

Review: Road Test: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, Mike Monticello, June 2009