2022 Camaro ZL1 Reviews: Price, Interior, MPG & More

Overview

The 2022 Camaro ZL1 is GM’s latest offering of this venerable pony car that premiered in 1967. It is available as either a two-door coupe or convertible and the ZL1 trim is the top package in terms of performance.

Pricing

The Camaro ZL1 coupe, equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, has an MSRP that barely falls short of the $65,000 mark, and the convertible costs almost $5,000 more. In either configuration, you’ll pay about $1,500 more for a steering-wheel paddle shifter with an automatic transmission.

MPG

With the robust performance you’d expect from this bow-tie-wearing brute, the ZL1 Camaro does not sip on fuel. However, it does slightly better than some comparable vehicles in this class, returning approximately 21 miles-per-gallon (MPG) on the highway with the automatic transmission and 18 MPG with the manual.

In the city, expect to get about 13 MPG with the automatic box and just 12 if you have the six-speed.

Pros and Cons

Let’s look at the pros and cons of owning the 2022 Camaro ZL1.

Pros:

Blistering acceleration
Brutish power and composed stopping power
Distinctive style
Less expensive than some competition

Cons:

Poor cabin visibility
Poor fuel economy
Poor storage space

Performance

The supercharged, 6.2 liter, eight-cylinder motor under the hood propels the ZL1 down the road, with the manufacturer claiming a 0-60 acceleration of about 3.5 seconds. Plus, when you’re hustling this car, the exhaust thunders an impressive symphony, and the tires are hard-pressed to maintain traction.

The resulting smoky launches are the stuff of impressive drag strip runs and boy racer fantasies. The automatic model shifts faster and offers a slight performance edge over the stick.

If all this isn’t enough, consider the coupe-only 1LE track package for features that take this car’s performance to the next level, including wider tires, spool-valve dampers, and an adjustable front suspension.

Interior & Comfort

The inside of the 2022 Camaro ZL1 is relatively spartan, like most Camaros. There is a back seat, but it’s so cramped it’s nearly useless. Don’t be surprised to find that there’s no place for your oversized coffee cup.

That performance-at-any-cost attitude also affects the trunk space, as the hatch’s shape makes accessing the small space within difficult for anything much larger than a backpack.

Safety

The Chevy ZL1 has impressive braking power, and you’ll need every bit of it with this sort of power. Expect to come to a dead stop in less than 145 feet from 70MPH.

One big knock on this generation of Camaro’s is their poor visibility from the driver’s seat. The pillars and high-silled windows offer limited views of the outside world, making sighting objects around you quite tricky.

But, the ZL1 also includes some dedicated features that can help keep you safe, including:

Rear parking sensors and cross-traffic alert (standard)
Forward collision warning (coupe)
Blind-spot alerts (standard)

Technology & Infotainment

The Camaro features an easy-to-use Chevy touchscreen system. It offers WiFi access, Apple Carplay, and Android integration. Plus, almost every Camaro option comes as standard on the ZL1.

Reviews

The 2022 Camaro received a J.D. Power’s consumer rating of 82 out of 100. Most customers report their love for the power and sleek design of the Camaro with the only downsides being the minimal space and low visibility.

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