2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Overview

Find the 455-hp 6.2-liter V-8 in the Camaro SS too boring or underpowered? Chevrolet won’t tell you to get your head checked. Instead, it slaps a supercharger on that V-8, boosts the output to 650, and installs it in the Camaro along with a host of suspension and styling upgrades to create the ZL1. Available as either a coupe or a convertible—with your choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters—the ZL1 stands atop the Camaro pile to see eye to eye with the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

What's New for 2018?

One year after its redesign for the 2017 model year, the ZL1 gains a 1LE package that adds extreme aerodynamic aids, wider track-ready tires, extra powertrain cooling, and special racing-style spool-valve dampers. The option doesn’t add extra power to the ZL1’s supercharged V-8 engine, but then, with 650 hp, it doesn’t really need any more juice. It’s amazing—so much so that we named it to our list of 10Best Cars for 2018.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The current state of the muscle-car scene is best summarized in the realization that the 650-hp Camaro ZL1 is only the third-most-powerful two-door in the game. Dodge’s nutty 707-hp Challenger SRT Hellcat and flat-out insane 840-hp Challenger SRT Demon have the Chevy beat. Still, the Camaro’s supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, borrowed from the pricier Chevrolet Corvette Z06, is a well-behaved and tractable beast that makes power all over the tachometer and leaves black streaks all over the road. And as you’d expect, when stirred up, it leaves the sound of thunder echoing in its wake. If the ZL1’s 650-hp engine seems to chase the 707-hp Hellcat V-8 in Dodge’s Challenger SRT Hellcat, the hardware that sits between the Camaro's body and the road has Ford’s sharp-handling Mustang Shelby GT350 squarely in its sights. This leaves the ZL1 feeling exceptionally well rounded, with track-worthy handling limits and a stupefying reserve of power at the driver’s beck and call. Already a satisfying handler with quick and communicative steering, a balanced rear-drive chassis, and a surprisingly supple ride, the Camaro is elevated to new heights by the ZL1 gear. Wider tires, a special suspension setup, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential help rein in that monster engine without interrupting the Camaro’s excellent human-to-machine feedback loop. The ZL1 exists to provide the Camaro lineup with elevated performance capabilities, and it delivers. It is quicker, grippier, and all around more bad-ass than regular Camaros, as well as most other performance coupes available anywhere near its price.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Every ZL1 is well equipped out of the box and offers few options. Standard equipment includes power front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and the same Wi-Fi hotspot with a 4G LTE connection found across the entire General Motors lineup. The standard wireless phone charging pad is, curiously, located behind the center console and jammed against the lower cushion of the nearly useless rear seat. Expecting it to seat four only sets the table for disappointment. Even with the front seats shoved forward to accommodate shorter drivers, there’s essentially no space behind for rear-seat passengers’ legs. Not that there’s any space for their heads, either—the low roofline and back window encroach on that airspace. When it comes to the ZL1, performance and style take precedence over less sexy matters, such as cup holders and cargo space. There is very little interior stash space for small items, almost a tacit admission on Chevrolet’s part that the Camaro only comfortably seats two human beings. Behind the rear seats is a nearly useless shallow trunk with an oddly shaped opening. In spite of its overall size, the Camaro is almost as cargo-unfriendly as the Mazda MX-5 Miata sports car. Every single competitor is better.

Infotainment and Connectivity

As the top-dog Camaro, the ZL1 offers as standard nearly everything available on normal Camaros, including a Bose audio system, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display. Navigation is optional, although it is rendered unnecessary by the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A one-year subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio is included, as is a trial service period for the General Motors OnStar telematics setup (turn-by-turn directions, automatic crash response, stolen-vehicle recovery assistance, and roadside assistance). Chevrolet’s MyLink touchscreen infotainment system is among the industry’s easiest-to-use units, with clear menus, large on-screen buttons, and the latest must-have features, such as a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot with 4G LTE. For the ZL1, only the regular Camaro’s larger, 8.0-inch display is offered; a smaller 7.0-inch unit is standard on sub-ZL1 models.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.