2011 Chevrolet Camaro Reviews

The aggressive styling, wide stance, and characteristic Camaro attitude all return in this year's Camaro, coupled with a subtle performance boost and several new options.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro

The 2011 Camaro, Chevrolet's latest addition to its venerable line of pony cars, has seen only minor changes - and it's not necessarily a bad thing. The aggressive styling, wide stance, and characteristic Camaro attitude all return in this year's iteration, coupled with a subtle performance boost and several new options.

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Key Features

In an obvious show of one-upmanship, Chevrolet has certified the Camaro's already stout V6 engine at 312 hp. This 8-hp increase edges out the 2011 Ford Mustang, the Camaro's closest competitor, by 7-hp. This increase, however, appears to be simply a numbers game.

No changes have been made to the 304 hp V6 under the hood of the 2010 offering, instead Chevrolet has acknowledged that this lower figure was simply underselling the true power of the engine.

Also new for 2011 are a couple of more tangible changes, including more variety for prospective buyers. The "Synergy Green" color scheme, first introduced as a special edition in 2010, is now available for a limited time on all trims. OnStar has now been made standard across all trims, while GM's heads-up display is available for the high-end 2LT and 2SS trims. In total, the 2011 Camaro is available in five trims. All models except the LS are also available as a convertible. Fuel efficiency is estimated at 17 mpg city and 28 highway for the V6, and 16 mpg city and 24 highway for the V8.

Performance

The 2011 Camaro continues the model's legacy of power and performance, with both the V6 and V8 options providing enough power to satisfy even the heaviest lead foot. The 3.6-liter V6 featured in the LS and LT models produces 312 hp and 278 pound-feet of torque, along with manual or automatic six-speed transmissions, while the SS models pack a monster 6.2-liter V8 putting out 426 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque. Both engines perform exceptionally well, delivering enough raw power to awaken the speed demon in any driver. The V8 in particular delivers an iconic performance, turning in 0-60 times of around 4.5 seconds. Solid, responsive brakes perform admirably as well, providing stopping power that's more than up to the task. Crisp, smooth steering rounds out an impressive package, completing an exhilarating experience that's truly tough to match in the Camaro's price range.

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Styling

Harkening back to the golden era of testosterone-injected muscle cars, the Camaro's styling is everything you'd expect given its performance. Bold, aggressive lines and a wide stance make for a menacing visual, clearly hinting at the power tucked under the hood. The interior, however, is where problems start to appear. The sacrifices required for such an intense focus on performance are evidenced by the stripped-bare approach to the interior.

With limited storage options and a skimpy center console, this is most definitely not a family car. Leg room is also at a premium, especially in the rear seats. The trunk is lacking as well, and could prove to be a problem for some. Aesthetically, the interior inspires mixed feelings. While the chiseled, aggressive lines are continued to great effect, and the sharp black color and contrasted stitching matches well with most color schemes, some may find the blackness overdone.

The standard LS trim features 18" steel wheels, cruise control, automatic headlights, keyless entry, air conditioning, four-way manual front seats, OnStar and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and satellite radio. The 1LT adds 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps and eight-way power seats. The "Convenience and Connectivity" package for the 1LT trim level features rear park assist, Bluetooth, iPod interface, remote ignition and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. The 2LT trim pairs these features with 19" alloy wheels, heated mirrors and front seats, extra gauges, leather upholstery, and a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics stereo.

The 1SS trim takes the 1LT's features but adds the 6.2L V8 engine, 20" alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a rear lip spoiler. The 2SS combines the convenience features of the 2LT with the performance features of the 1SS. An RS package, which adds xenon headlights, unique taillights, and 20" alloy wheels, is also available for all trims except the LS.

Safety

Performance is clearly the focus with this car, but safety has not been overlooked. Antilock disc brakes provide excellent stopping ability, ensuring that you can keep all that horsepower under control. Stability control, front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and OnStar security are also standard on all trim levels. The only potential safety issue to be considered is the limited visibility. Because of several design choices, including low profile windows, the Camaro can be difficult to park and maneuver while turning. While not a major concern, it does make safety more of an issue than it has to be.

Conclusion

Ultimately, this car comes down to priorities. If you're looking for a well-rounded, comfortable car suitable for long road trips or family outings, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you're looking for an adrenaline-filled, enjoyable driving experience you'd be hard pressed to find a better option anywhere for the price. The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro has clearly set performance and enjoyment as their priorities, and on those counts they've succeeded without question. If you're willing to overlook some questionable design choices and sacrificed creature comforts, the Camaro is sure to attract attention wherever you go.