2022 Chevrolet Corvette vs 2021 Chevrolet Camaro

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro presented buyers with a choice between two distinct body styles: coupe and convertible. Both styles shared a striking similarity. In the convertible variant, the soft roof replaced the traditional fixed coupe roof, giving it a relaxed, open-road appeal perfect for leisurely coastal drives. As a coupe, the Camaro exuded a more aggressive and fierce demeanor, appealing to those seeking a stronger visual impact.

The Camaro was available in eight different trim levels: 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, LT1, 1SS, 2SS, and ZL1. Among these, the ZL1 stood out as the most performance-oriented option, while the SS variations balanced daily driving performance with a hint of spirited driving. The test model in question was the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Coupe.

Standard on this vehicle were 18-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels wrapped in 245/50R18 all-season blackwall tires. Larger 20-inch wheels and summer tires were available as upgrades. The polished silver wheel design, despite aiming for a sporty look, tended to give the car an aged appearance rather than a modern look.

Other standard features included a limited-slip differential, dual-outlet stainless steel exhaust with bright tips, and LED daytime running lights. Optional features included LED headlights, a sunroof (coupe only), and power outside heated mirrors.

Inside, the Camaro's cabin, refreshed for the 2019 model year, appeared stylish but left much to be desired in terms of functionality. General Motors' parts bin design was evident, with elements borrowed from other models like the vent design from the Chevy Blazer. Options like the Wild Cherry design packs added unique wheels, graphics, ground effects, carbon fiber accents, and suede knee pads, varying by trim level.

On the other hand, the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette made a bold statement with a design that resembled a Ferrari. It featured an engine visible under glass, side air intakes, a pointed nose, and a tapered body that widened at the rear, exuding excitement and performance. This new-generation Corvette had coupe models with a lift-out roof panel for occasional open-air driving and convertibles with a retractable hardtop that could be lowered in 16 seconds at up to 30 mph.

All Stingray models were equipped with staggered wheels and tires: 19-inch up front and 20-inch at the rear. The standard tires were Michelin Pilot Sport All Season, with the option of grippier Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer performance tires.

The interior was distinctively Corvette, with a bold design featuring a square steering wheel flanked by a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. The dual-cockpit layout from classic Corvettes was referenced but modernized with a spine-like structure housing climate and other controls, separating driver and passenger areas.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro's base engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission. Buyers could upgrade to a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque. More powerful options included a 6.2-liter V8 with 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque, and a supercharged version of the same engine delivering 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the turbo-four with a manual gearbox achieved 19 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, while the automatic variant managed 22/30/25 mpg. The V6 with a manual transmission delivered 16/26/20 mpg, and its automatic counterpart got 18/29/22 mpg. The V8 engines were slightly less efficient with 16/24/19 mpg for the manual and 16/26/20 mpg for the automatic. The supercharged V8 yielded 16 mpg combined regardless of the transmission.

The Camaro 2SS tested came with a 6.2-liter V8 engine, Brembo brakes, and a manual transmission. Despite the power, the manual transmission's long, narrow channels, and long stick made driving cumbersome. The numb clutch and gas pedal, combined with GM's skip-shift technology, detracted from the driving experience. Active rev-matching technology was available in certain models but took away a part of the manual transmission's inherent appeal. The Camaro was strictly rear-wheel drive, with a driving mode selector offering Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and Track modes for tailored driving experiences.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Corvette, having shifted to a mid-engine layout in 2020, featured a standard 6.2-liter V8 generating 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, or 495 hp and 470 lb-ft with the optional performance exhaust system. Equipped with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, this generation saw no manual option. With the Z51 performance package, Chevy quoted a zero-to-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds at 121 mph.

The Corvette was surprisingly balanced, with playful and approachable handling, communicative steering, and a responsive chassis. Even without the Z51 package, the 2LT test car was quick and exhilarating to drive but without the intimidation factor of other mid-engine sports cars. The Corvette also proved comfortable for daily driving, particularly with the optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension, which smoothed out rough roads while maintaining a refined cabin experience.

The Camaro's interior featured standard cloth upholstery and front bucket seats, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way manual front passenger seat with power recline. Leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and heated and ventilated front seats were available options. The heated seat provided extensive coverage and functionality.

While the front seats were moderately comfortable, the narrow windshield and oversized hood over the instrument cluster severely limited visibility. Rear seats were largely impractical for adults, suitable only for small children. The flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel had a pleasing grip, and its manual tilting and telescoping capability added convenience.

Climate control in the Camaro was a mixed bag, with single-zone standard and dual-zone available in higher trims. The cup holder placement was problematic in manual transmission models, obstructing the shifter. Trunk space, although ample compared to other muscle cars, was hindered by a high load height and narrow opening. The convertible model offered about 20% less cargo space than the coupe.

Conversely, the mid-engine layout of the 2022 Corvette provided two trunks, one in the front and one rear, behind the engine. Together, they offered a combined 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space. While less than the previous generation's single trunk, the rear trunk could still accommodate a set of golf clubs, and the front trunk could hold a carry-on bag. However, the convertible's roof stored in the rear trunk reduced cargo space significantly.

The Corvette prioritized driving ergonomics, with an unobstructed view of the instruments courtesy of a square steering wheel and an easily reachable, angled touchscreen. Despite the driver-focused design, the passenger space was compromised, with controls and displays oriented away from the passenger. Large mirrors and available camera systems mitigated the visibility issues common in mid-engine layouts. The optional GT2 bucket seats offered excellent bolstering and comfort, with standard power adjustments for an ideal driving position.

The Camaro's technology suite included a 7-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, voice command, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and keyless entry and start. Options included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bose premium audio, satellite radio, wireless charging, navigation, a head-up display, and a rear-camera mirror.

General Motors’ infotainment systems were user-friendly and consistent across models, though the Camaro's forward-leaning screens were prone to glare. USB ports were conveniently hidden in the center console, and the wireless charging pad was awkwardly positioned, protruding into the rear seat space.

In comparison, the 2022 Corvette featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Navigation and a head-up display were available on all trims except the base 1LT.

The infotainment system in the Corvette was easy to use, with clear graphics and analog controls for climate and volume. The audio systems ranged from a 10-speaker Bose Premium setup to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series, the latter equipped in the 2LT test car. The Corvette also featured Chevy’s Performance Data Recorder for on-track performance analysis and an optional front-end lift system, capable of raising the nose 40 millimeters to avoid scraping and remembering up to 1,000 locations for automatic operation.

The safety ratings for the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro were average, with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) giving it a mix of "Good," "Acceptable," and "Basic" ratings, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarding four-star and five-star ratings. The Camaro offered safety technologies like rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and rear parking sensors, though some features were unavailable on convertible models.

In contrast, the 2022 Corvette was light on advanced driver-assist technologies, offering only blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which were useful given the car's limited rear visibility but not available on the base 1LT trim. Crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Corvette, typically not a priority due to its low sales volumes.