Which Chevrolet Camaro Version Should You Buy?
The Chevrolet Camaro catalogue covers 10 generation entries from 1967–1969 through the sixth-generation restyling of 2018–2025. Choosing among them is mainly a question of performance, transmission, body style and running costs. The quickest measured option is the sixth-generation 6.2 AT with 650 hp, 868 Nm and a 3.5-second 0–100 km/h time.
The Chevrolet Camaro catalogue covers 10 generation entries from 1967–1969 through the sixth-generation restyling of 2018–2025. Choosing among them is mainly a question of performance, transmission, body style and running costs. The quickest measured option is the sixth-generation 6.2 AT with 650 hp, 868 Nm and a 3.5-second 0–100 km/h time. The strongest listed output is the pre-restyling sixth-generation 6.2 AT or 6.2 MT with 660 hp and 868 Nm. For lower fuel consumption, the pre-restyling sixth-generation 2.0 AT with 275 hp records 9.4 l/100 km combined. Buyers seeking a Cabrio must look to the first, third or fourth generation entries; the fifth- and sixth-generation entries in this catalogue are Coupe models.
Chevrolet Camaro generations: what changed?
The first-generation Cabrio, built from 1967 to 1969, offers six listed versions. Choices run from the 3.8 MT and 3.8 AT with 142 hp to the 7.0 MT and 7.0 AT with 425 hp. The 7.0 MT reaches 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the 7.0 AT takes 6.3 seconds. Their measured combined consumption is 23.3 and 26.4 l/100 km respectively, making the manual both quicker and more economical in the supplied figures.
The second-generation Coupe, produced from 1970 to 1981, has three versions: 4.1 MT, 5.7 AT and 5.0 AT. The 5.7 AT is the performance choice at 300 hp and 515 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. The 4.1 MT has 155 hp and needs 12.2 seconds, while the 5.0 AT sits between them with 200 hp and a 10.6-second result.
The third-generation Coupe of 1982–1985 provides six versions, from the 105 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT to the 172 hp 5.0 MT and 5.0 AT. The 1985–1992 restyling expands the choice to 10 versions and adds Cabrio bodywork in the catalogue. Its range extends from the 137 hp 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT to the 264 hp 5.7 MT and 5.7 AT. The latter pair has 447 Nm, while the 2.8 versions produce 224 Nm.
The fourth-generation Cabrio of 1992–1998 contains 20 versions. Among the supplied examples, outputs range from 160 hp in the 3.4 MT and 3.4 AT to 279 hp in the 5.7 MT and 5.7 AT. Measured acceleration ranges from 10.2 seconds for the 160 hp 3.4 AT to 6.3 seconds for the 275 hp 5.7 MT. The 1998–2002 restyled Coupe contains 16 versions and raises the listed peak to 329 hp in the 5.7 AT and 5.7 MT.
The fifth-generation Coupe, dated 2009–2014, contains 20 versions. Its supplied specifications cover naturally aspirated 3.6 and 6.2 engines plus a compressor-equipped 6.2. The 589 hp 6.2 AT is the quickest measured version at 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h, compared with 4.1 seconds for the 589 hp 6.2 MT. The 2013–2016 restyling contains 13 versions, adds a 7.0 MT with 507 hp, and retains 589 hp compressor-equipped 6.2 AT and 6.2 MT versions.
The sixth-generation Coupe, dated 2015–2018, contains 17 versions. It introduces the listed 2.0 Turbo choices with 238 or 275 hp alongside 335 hp 3.6 versions, 455 hp naturally aspirated 6.2 versions and 660 hp compressor-equipped 6.2 versions. The 2018–2025 restyling contains 19 versions. Its supplied peak is 650 hp rather than 660 hp, but the 650 hp 6.2 AT improves the measured 0–100 km/h result from 3.7 to 3.5 seconds.
Chevrolet Camaro engine options and specs
Repeated names represent different recorded specifications, so power and generation must be checked before buying.
| Generation | Exact version | hp | Nm | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 3.8 MT / 3.8 AT | 142 | not measured | 3769 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 6.5 MT / 6.5 AT | 330 | not measured | 6489 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 4-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 7.0 MT / 7.0 AT | 425 | 624 | 6996 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Manual / 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second | 4.1 MT | 155 | 319 | 4093 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second | 5.0 AT | 200 | 407 | 5025 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second | 5.7 AT | 300 | 515 | 5733 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT | 105 | not measured | 2495 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 2.8 MT / 2.8 AT | 125 | not measured | 2800 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 5.0 MT / 5.0 AT | 172 | 345 | 5002 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third restyling | 2.8 MT / 2.8 AT | 137 | 224 | 2838 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third restyling | 3.1 MT / 3.1 AT | 162 | 251 | 3135 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third restyling | 5.0 MT / 5.0 AT | 172 | 345 | 5002 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third restyling | 5.7 AT | 228 | 447 | 5733 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third restyling | 5.7 MT / 5.7 AT | 264 | 447 | 5733 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth | 3.4 MT / 3.4 AT | 160 or 162 | 346 or 271 | 3392 or 3352 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth | 3.8 MT / 3.8 AT | 200 | 305 | 3791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth | 5.7 MT / 5.7 AT | 279 | 441 | 5733 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth | 5.7 MT | 275 | 441 | 5735 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth restyling | 3.8 MT / 3.8 AT | 193 or 203 | 305 | 3791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth restyling | 5.7 MT / 5.7 AT | 310 | 472 | 5665 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth restyling | 5.7 MT / 5.7 AT | 329 | 468 | 5665 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth | 3.6 MT / 3.6 AT | 304, 312, 326 or 328 | 370 or 377 | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth | 6.2 MT / 6.2 AT | 405 or 426 | 410, 420, 556 or 569 | 6162 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth | 6.2 MT / 6.2 AT | 589 | 755 | 6162 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth restyling | 3.6 MT / 3.6 AT | 326 | 377 | 3564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth restyling | 6.2 MT / 6.2 AT | 405 or 426 | 410 or 420 | 6162 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth restyling | 6.2 MT / 6.2 AT | 589 | 755 | 6162 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual / 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth restyling | 7.0 MT | 507 | 637 | 7013 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Sixth | 2.0 AT | 238 or 275 | 400 | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth | 2.0 MT | 275 | 400 | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Sixth | 3.6 MT / 3.6 AT | 335 | 385 | 3640 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth | 6.2 MT / 6.2 AT | 455 | 617 | 6162 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth | 6.2 MT / 6.2 AT | 660 | 868 | 6162 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual / 10-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth restyling | 2.0 AT | 238 or 275 | 400 | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth restyling | 2.0 MT | 275 | 400 | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Sixth restyling | 3.6 MT | 335 | 385 | 3640 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Sixth restyling | 3.6 AT | 335 | 390 | 3649 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth restyling | 6.2 MT / 6.2 AT | 455 | 614 | 6162 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual / 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth restyling | 6.2 MT / 6.2 AT | 650 | 868 | 6162 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Compressor | 6-speed Manual / 10-speed Automatic | RWD |
The sixth-generation 275 hp 2.0 produces about 137.6 hp per litre, versus about 91.8 hp per litre for the 335 hp 3.6 and about 73.8 hp per litre for the 455 hp 6.2. The compressor-equipped 650 hp 6.2 reaches about 105.5 hp per litre. This makes the 2.0 Turbo the strongest specific-output choice, while the compressor-equipped 6.2 provides the greatest absolute torque and the quickest acceleration.
Performance and fuel economy
For the sixth-generation restyling, the 275 hp 2.0 AT reaches 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, the 335 hp 3.6 AT in 5.1 seconds, the 455 hp 6.2 AT in 4.2 seconds and the 650 hp 6.2 AT in 3.5 seconds. Moving from the 2.0 AT to the 3.6 AT saves 0.4 seconds; moving from the 3.6 AT to the 455 hp 6.2 AT saves 0.9 seconds; the 650 hp 6.2 AT saves another 0.7 seconds.
Within the same restyled generation, automatic versions are quicker in the directly comparable high-output pairs. The 455 hp 6.2 AT records 4.2 seconds, against 4.3 seconds for the 6.2 MT. The 650 hp 6.2 AT records 3.5 seconds, against 3.6 seconds for the 6.2 MT. Top speed for those four versions is not measured.
The clearest economy comparison is in the pre-restyling sixth generation. The 275 hp 2.0 AT records 10.7 l/100 km city, 7.6 highway and 9.4 combined. The 275 hp 2.0 MT records 11.8 city, 7.8 highway and 10.2 combined. The 335 hp 3.6 MT records 14.7 city, 8.4 highway and 11.8 combined, while the 455 hp 6.2 AT records 13.8 city, 8.7 highway and 11.8 combined. For versions without supplied consumption values, fuel economy is not measured.
Chevrolet Camaro dimensions, weight and practical specs
Overall length, width, height and weight distribution are not measured in the supplied data. Kerb weight, clearance, tank size and selected wheel sizes are available.
The restyled sixth-generation 275 hp 2.0 AT has the lightest supplied kerb weight in that generation at 1512 kg, equal to about 5.50 kg per hp. The 335 hp 3.6 MT weighs 1570 kg, or about 4.69 kg per hp. The 455 hp 6.2 MT weighs 1671 kg, or about 3.67 kg per hp. The 650 hp 6.2 AT weighs 1789 kg, or about 2.75 kg per hp. Although the 650 hp car is 277 kg heavier than the 275 hp 2.0 AT, it carries 375 hp more and cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 2.0 seconds.
Sixth-generation clearance is 150 mm. The pre-restyling tank is 72 litres, while the restyled versions list 70 litres. Available sixth-generation wheel specifications include 245/50 R18, 245/40 R20, 275/35 R20, 285/30 R20 and 305/30 R20, depending on version. Gross weight is not measured for these versions.
The fifth-generation examples generally list 115–150 mm of clearance, 72-litre tanks and kerb weights from 1633 kg for the restyled 7.0 MT to 1984 kg for a restyled 589 hp 6.2 MT. Fourth-generation entries use 59-litre tanks and list clearance from 117 to 120 mm where measured. Their wheel sizes are not measured. Earlier tank capacities are not measured.
Which Chevrolet Camaro version should you choose?
Choose the sixth-generation 275 hp 2.0 AT when measured fuel economy matters most. Its 9.4 l/100 km combined result is 0.8 l/100 km lower than the comparable 275 hp 2.0 MT, and it is 0.2 seconds slower to 100 km/h in that recorded pairing. The restyled 275 hp 2.0 AT is quicker at 5.5 seconds, but its consumption is not measured.
Choose the sixth-generation 335 hp 3.6 AT for a middle ground. In restyled form it delivers 60 hp more than the 275 hp 2.0 AT and reaches 100 km/h 0.4 seconds sooner. Its 390 Nm is 10 Nm below the 2.0 Turbo’s 400 Nm, so the advantage lies in power and measured acceleration rather than peak torque.
Choose the sixth-generation 455 hp 6.2 AT when naturally aspirated V-shaped eight-cylinder performance is the priority. It has 120 hp more than the 335 hp 3.6 AT and reduces the 0–100 km/h time from 5.1 to 4.2 seconds. In pre-restyling form, its measured 11.8 l/100 km combined consumption matches the listed 3.6 MT despite having 120 hp more.
Choose the 650 hp restyled 6.2 AT for the quickest measured acceleration: 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h. Choose the pre-restyling 660 hp 6.2 AT if maximum listed horsepower and measured top speed matter: it has 10 hp more, reaches 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and has a measured maximum of 321 km/h. The restyled 650 hp version’s top speed is not measured.
For a fifth-generation performance choice, the 589 hp 6.2 AT combines a 3.9-second 0–100 km/h time with a measured 290 km/h top speed. The 7.0 MT offers 507 hp, 637 Nm, a 4.2-second result and a 273 km/h maximum without a compressor. For a classic Cabrio with fully measured performance, the first-generation 7.0 MT offers 425 hp, 624 Nm, 5.6-second acceleration and a 240 km/h maximum, but its 23.3 l/100 km combined consumption makes the trade-off explicit.
Price, sale availability, engine oil capacity, reliability and problems are not measured in the supplied data. They therefore cannot decide the comparison here. On the available figures alone, the 275 hp 2.0 AT is the economy-led choice, the 335 hp 3.6 AT is the balanced step up, the 455 hp 6.2 AT is the naturally aspirated performance choice, and the 650 hp 6.2 AT is the acceleration-focused flagship.