Chevrolet Camaro Part 2: Interior & User Experience

The reborn Chevrolet Camaro is based on GM's Zeta platform, which significantly, also underpins the critically acclaimed, but sadly soon to be discontinued Pontiac G8 sedan. With that in mind, you might think the new Camaro is both large and spacious. And it is, and... it isn't.

The footprint of the car is definitely big, and once inside, the large feeling remains, with lots of shoulder and leg-room and enough - if not exactly an overabundance - of head room. That is, of course, if you're up front. Those seated in the back will hope to be behind short, compassionate types, as there aren't exactly miles of legroom. To be fair, the accommodations in the rear are no worse than nearly every other two-door, four-seat coupe on the market, so it's not worth going on about. The view out of the cabin however is worth discussing.

Most of the journalists who've driven the Camaro have griped ad nauseam about the lack of visibility through the narrow window openings. However accurate, what is irritating about those comments is that the authors are mostly the same people who would have been complaining that the production Camaro didn't look exactly like the concept version had GM sacrificed the looks for improved visibility.

Sure, you can't see out of it very well, but... WHO CARES!? Have you seen this thing? Ok, if you're claustrophobic, you might want to wait for the convertible version and its unlimited headroom, but otherwise, enjoy the narrow view out with the knowledge that you're driving what equates to a production concept car. Seriously.

You'll quickly get used to the view anyway, and let's not forget, the original Audi TT had the same issue and it didn't seem to affect its success too badly.

Another gripe that isn't completely unfounded, but needs to be kept in the proper context, involves the plastics used in the cabin. The wide expanse of dashboard, the door panels and the center console are all made of plastics that, although not bad to look at, are hard to the touch. With the exception of the center console, you'd rarely reach out to touch these panels, but still, soft touch materials would be more pleasing - no question.

But when you consider that the sticker price of the Camaro SS starts at $31k, and its interior features nearly every amenity you could hope for - not to mention that its standard LS3 V8 delivers 426 horsepower - it becomes easier to forgive the inflexible nature of the cabin's plastics.

At least from a design perspective, there's little to complain about. The driver is faced with a retro, deep-dish, thick-spoke steering wheel, modernized with control switchgear for various functions. Behind the wheel sits a twin-rectangular-pod-panel which houses the primary instruments and also takes cues from the past. Even the optional gauge cluster on the center console - a rehash of a similar option in 1969 Camaros - pulls off the retro, yet modern feel evident in the rest of the interior.

The optional ambient light package, however, owes nothing to the past, with LED lights giving the interior a cool blue-light glow that is - truth be told - a little cheesy, yet at the same time, surprisingly pleasant. Also pleasant - perhaps too much so - is the sound of the L99 V8 fitted to our automatic-transmissioned Camaro SS test car. Suitably throaty at initial startup, the noise expected from those exhaust pipes, sadly, never materializes.

If the Camaro continues to sell as well as it has so far, buying stock in an aftermarket muffler manufacturer like Borla or FlowMaster might make some sense, because most owners will probably want to wake up the sound of this thing a little bit. As is, it's just a tad too polite for a real muscle car, which should be rude and brash enough to scare women and children with the sound of power!

The Chevrolet Camaro SS may not make the most of its large footprint in terms of spaciousness, but given the category in which it competes and its price within that category, its design is very well executed. That the Camaro's interior will almost certainly be overshadowed by its concept-car exterior is too bad, as the attention to detail of its heritage-inspired elements is at least as strong inside as it is out.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Performance - Acceleration: L-99 and six-speed auto make acceleration completely effortless as the speedo needle sweeps around the dial more quickly than expected
- Handling: Unfortunately set up for ultra-safe handling (ie: understeer), but given a defeatable stability control system and lots of torque delivered through the rear wheels, fun is there if you want it
- Braking: Not the most feelsome brake pedal ever, but big Brembos offer effective retardation nonetheless

Design - Exterior: The most successful modern-retro design of them all, provoking nostalgia while looking completely modern - extremely well done
- Interior: Easily overlooked due to the exterior, but also well executed in design terms - only material quality lets it down... and maybe visibility

Utility - Comfort: Excellent for front seat passengers, with big seats and lots of room - the back seats are better than most 2+2s, but still not ready for prime time
- Space: Given the car's footprint, it's surprising to find it's not huge inside - narrow view out makes it appear more cramped than it is - trunk opening is uselessly small

Safety - Dynamics: Again, understeer will keep you from trouble - decent moves given its significant mass will see you through most evasive maneuvers
- Technology: StabiliTrak among the best systems of its kind - everything else is there too, as expected

Value - Price: A HUGE bargain of a car - 426 hp (LS3 with the manual gearbox) and concept car styling for $31 grand? Good look beating that!
- Mileage: L99 incorporates Active Fuel Management system to good effect - six-speed auto is mileage driven and will be in top gear as quickly as possible

Emotional Appeal - Heart thumpin' factor: Absolutely! With its starring role in that Hollywood blockbuster and its show car body, it's one hot car... until next year when you'll see 'em everywhere
- Fun to spank: Yes, if you're really determined to have your fun (stability off, lots of room, little regard for rubber and caution to the wind)

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear-wheel drive
Engine: 6.2-liter V8
Power (SAE): 400 hp
Torque: 410 lb-ft
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3880 lbs.
0-60 mph: 4.8 sec.
Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 17 city / 25 highway
Base Price: $30,595
Competitors: Ford Mustang GT, Dodge Challenger SRT-8, Nissan 370Z