The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most iconic cars ever to come out of the US auto industry, and it has been around in one shape or another for half a century.
First sold in 1967, the Camaro was Chevy’s attempt to cash in on the growing pony car craze, and the vehicle’s rivalry with the Ford Mustang continues today. Both are stylish and powerful cars, and both have followed automotive trends. Chevrolet has even been developing a hybrid Camaro muscle car for the 21st century.
However, the choice at the moment is between the base model, with a four-cylinder turbo engine, and a more traditionally muscular V8 Camaro.
10 Turbo: Affordable Option
Aside from the obvious fact that the turbo Camaro and the V8 model have different engines, the two vehicles also have their distinctive attributes. One of the best things about the Camaro base model with the four-cylinder turbo engine is that it is much cheaper than its V8 big brother.
The turbo engine is standard on both the LS and LT models, which will sell for around $25,000, while the Camaro LT1 model with the V8 engine has a much higher starting price of $35,000.
9 V8: Powerful Engine
The Camaro turbo and V8 models may look similar from the outside, but they are very different when you take a look under the hood. Even turbocharged, the 4-cylinder engine in the base model is not a patch on the V8 engine when it comes to power and acceleration.
The turbo engine is capable of generating a maximum 335hp, compared to the V8 engine’s 455hp. Likewise, the V8 can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 4.1 seconds, while it takes the turbo Camaro 5.5 seconds to reach the same speed.
8 Turbo: Looks As Stylish As More Expensive Cars
The different Camaro models may be different when you look under the hood, but to the untrained eye, the two vehicles appear to be exactly the same from the outside. The Chevy has always been a stylish car throughout its history, and the current models are no exception.
The current Camaro is the sixth generation, which was launched in 2016, and which saw a redesign of many exterior features, including new alloy wheels and the option of adding the 1LE performance package to the base model.
7 V8: Stylish Appearance
The Chevy Camaro LT1 may cost more than its less powerful baby brother, but owners do get the benefit of some stylish design features inside and out as well as the impressive V8 engine.
At first glance, both the turbo and V8 Camaro models look very similar, but the LT1 has borrowed a few attributes from the top-of-the-range Camaro SS, including a vented hood, while the 2021 model is available with the high-end Redline Edition trim, which was previously only on offer to SS drivers.
6 Turbo: Great Handling
One of the best things about cars like the Chevy Camaro, whether they date from the heyday of muscle cars in the 1970s or whether they have been designed in the last few years, is that they are fun to drive.
Powerful engines are one factor in creating a real drivers’ car, but it is also important that the handling is up to scratch. Even though the turbo model is considered the basic Camaro, the handling is still outstanding, which makes it great fun behind the wheel.
5 V8: Fun To Drive
Coupled with the same impressive handling as the LS and LT Camaro models, the extra power under the hood makes the V8 version of the car great fun to drive. Muscle cars may generally be known for their brute force, but the modern Camaro is a pretty nimble machine, thanks to its souped-up suspension.
Best of all, the V8 Camaro is also available with a six-speed manual transmission for motorists who want to enjoy the full driving experience of owning a powerful muscle car.
4 Turbo: Impressive Safety Ratings
It may have a reputation as the kind of powerful and fast muscle car that you would expect to see tearing up the streets, but the Chevy Camaro turbo model is a surprisingly safe set of wheels.
The 2020 model was given a five-star rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which tests vehicles for their performance in collisions. Several safety features are also available as optional extras on the base model Camaro, including blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and collision warning.
3 V8: Luxury Interior Features
The Redline Edition trim, available for the first time on the LT1 model in 2021, doesn’t just include exterior features. A V8 Camaro with the Redline Edition trim also features a stylish black interior with red seat belts. Even the standard LT1 Camaro boasts some impressive interior features when compared to the base model.
Motorists can choose to add customized interior lighting, as well as a user-friendly infotainment system with a practical 8-inch screen. The one down-side to the Camaro’s interior is the lack of space, though this is an issue which has plagued muscle cars since the 1960s.
2 Turbo: Economical Engine
Some drivers may see smaller engines as a disadvantage, but there is one major advantage that the four-cylinder turbo Camaro has over the more powerful V8 model; it is much more economical to run.
The 2020 turbo Camaro gets 25 miles to the gallon – 22 in the city and 31 on the highway – compared to the V8 model which can get as little as 16 miles per gallon. Keeping the turbo Camaro’s fuel tank filled with gas is going to be much cheaper, making it a more economical option for everyday driving.
1 V8: Fitted With Performance Brakes
If you’re going to splash the cash on the more formidable V8 Camaro, then it is reassuring to know that there are also a lot of extra features built into the vehicle to help you keep that powerful muscle car under control on the road.
As well as a stronger suspension to improve handling, the LT1 model is also fitted with front and rear brakes from Brembo, an Italian firm that is one of the world’s leading companies when it comes to the design and development of performance brake systems.