2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro has been refreshed, with new fascias, front and rear lights, and some tweaks to trim-level equipment lists. But the only quality-of-life improvement is the upgrade to Chevy's newest and quickest infotainment system, the aptly named Chevrolet Infotainment 3. Nothing that makes the Camaro a tremendous performer and rewarding car to drive has changed, but nothing that makes it an unappealing choice for daily living has changed either.

Spend any time behind the wheel of a Camaro, and you'll quickly realize it's sharper and more purposeful than its American muscle-car rivals, especially when equipped with the 1LE package — an assortment of performance upgrades meant to improve handling, steering and braking. For 2019 models, Chevy has expanded the 1LE offering, making it available with all three engine options, including the turbocharged 2.0-liter. Unfortunately the downside of the refresh is what didn't change. The Camaro still has an essentially worthless back seat, minimal storage space, terrible outward visibility and some problematic ergonomic choices.

In many ways, the Camaro feels like the odd man out in the American muscle-car trinity. The Dodge Challenger has stayed true to form and is basically a rolling couch you can equip with a 797-horsepower V8, while the Ford Mustang has turned into a solid all-arounder with broad appeal for coupe buyers. But the Camaro has become a true sports car with all the ups and downs that entails, abandoning essentially all the traditional muscle-car traits except high-output V8 engines.

The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro is available as a four-seat coupe or convertible, with 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 1SS, 2SS and ZL1 trim levels. The LS and LT models come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder; a V6 is available. The SS models have a V8, and the ZL1 has a supercharged V8. The 1, 2, 3 designations represent levels of equipment, but there are several optional packages and stand-alone items to help you customize your ideal Camaro.

The LS and LT models come standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (275 horsepower, 295 pound-foot of torque), but 1LT and 2LT cars can be equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 (335 hp, 284 lb-ft), while the V6 is standard on the 3LT. A six-speed manual transmission is standard across all trims, with an eight-speed automatic available as an optional extra.

Standard equipment on the base 1LS (coupe only) includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights, a limited-slip differential (with the manual transmission), a rearview camera, keyless ignition and entry, cruise control, eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and adjustable driving modes. Technology equipment includes Bluetooth, OnStar emergency communications, 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, and a six-speaker sound system.

Additional gear on the 1LT (the base model for the convertible) includes remote start, six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, satellite radio and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The 2LT adds dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Both the 1LT and the 2LT can be equipped with the Technology package, which adds a nine-speaker Bose audio system and an 8-inch MyLink touchscreen with more connectivity features.

The 3LT comes standard with the V6 and includes the contents of the Technology package with GPS navigation, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and illuminated vanity mirrors in the visors. If you add the Convenience and Lighting package to the 3LT, you'll get heated, auto-dimming side mirrors; rear parking sensors; a larger, color information display in the gauge cluster; driver-seat memory functions; a head-up display; a heated steering wheel; and wireless smartphone charging, along with some aesthetic upgrades. This package also adds active safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert and forward collision warning. The 3LT also has unique interior appearance options.

The RS package includes 20-inch wheels, LED taillights, a special grille and a rear decklid spoiler; it is available for 1LT, 2LT and 3LT cars. Adding the RS package allows you to opt for the Heavy-Duty Cooling and Braking package, which includes an external oil cooler, a higher-capacity cooling system and four-piston front brakes.

The 1LE Track Performance package (coupe only) can be had with either the V6 or the 2.0-liter turbo. It adds the contents of the RS and Heavy-Duty Cooling and Braking packages, a limited-slip differential with cooler, sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch forged alloy wheels with wider summer tires, a mechanical limited-slip differential, a short-throw shifter, a track-cooling package, a dual-mode exhaust (with the V6 only), special aerodynamic spoilers and a satin black hood. Inside you'll find a suede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and suede-wrapped shifter. Recaro sport seats for the front can also be added to the 1LE package.

If you have the 3LT with the 1LE and Convenience and Lighting packages, you add a performance data and video recorder, which both records video and data to an SD card and offers more performance data displays on the infotainment screen. Forward collision warning is removed if you opt for the recorder.

The 1SS gets a 6.2-liter V8 (455 hp, 455 lb-ft), a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching downshift (a 10-speed automatic is optional), 20-inch wheels, the four-piston Brembo brakes, performance suspension, a mechanical limited-slip differential, upgraded engine and oil cooling, a Track driving mode, a rear spoiler, xenon headlights and nicer gauges. Inside, you get an upgraded 8-inch infotainment system, improved driver information display and the six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, but otherwise it has the 1LT's equipment.

The 2SS includes the 6.2-liter V8 and most of the features from the 3LT trim (navigation is an optional extra), along with unique interior accents and the Convenience and Lighting package. For 2019, the 2SS also receives a rear-camera mirror, which displays on the rearview mirror, improving rear visibility at the cost of true depth perception.

For the 1SS and 2SS, the SS 1LE Track Performance package adds six-piston Brembo brakes, Magnetic-Ride Control suspension with adaptive dampers, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, different forged alloy wheels, upgraded performance tires, the Recaro sport seats and everything else included with the LT's 1LE package.

Finally, the Camaro ZL1 has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 (650 hp, 650 lb-ft), a six-speed manual transmission (a 10-speed automatic is optional) and launch control. All of the 2SS and SS 1LE extras, minus the cosmetic differences, are also included. The ZL1 1LE Extreme Track Performance package adds 19-inch forged aluminum wheels with wider tires, special race-oriented suspension dampers, a carbon-fiber hood and rear spoiler, and tinted taillights. With the ZL1 1LE package, a fixed rear seat is also available.

Other available extras include a sunroof and a performance exhaust (all V6- and V8-powered models), along with a nearly endless catalog of aesthetic customization options.

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Chevrolet Corvette 1LT Coupe (3.6-L V6 | 6-speed manual | RWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Camaro has received some revisions, including an upgraded infotainment system and alterations to trim-level features and packages. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Camaro, however.