The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS is Just a Damn Good Car
I won’t mince words. Before taking the wheel for several days in the 2016 Camaro SS with a manual transmission, I didn’t expect it to be better than the Mustang or Challenger. I was wrong. The new Camaro SS is just a damn good car. It’s a step ahead of the competition, and the competition is really, really good.
My review 2016 Camaro SS had the 2SS package, manual transmission, and was virtually fully-loaded. That means the car is by no means a cheap date, but the $46,095 (including delivery) Camaro is quite a bargain for what you get. The SS features the 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, 6.2L LT1 V8 engine. That’s the same engine that’s in the Corvette Stingray.
Combined with the performance exhaust ($895), the Camaro sounds just like the Corvette convertible I drove last fall. It goes like a Corvette, too. Chevrolet estimates that the car will run to 60 miles-per-hour from a standstill in 4 seconds flat with the 8-speed automatic. My butt dyno thinks it feels faster than that.
The manual transmission is fantastic in this car, with the skip-shift only being annoying some of the time. Unlike the Corvette, the manual in the Camaro is only a 6-speed, so fuel economy suffers a bit. But the automatic rev-matching is available and works flawlessly. Also, the manual transmission is the only way to get a limited slip differential on the SS Camaro (which you want).
The magnetorheological ride control dampers are a $1,695 option box you must check. If you’ve never driven a car with Magnetic Ride Control, you don’t know what you’re missing. Not only do they get soft and firm on command, but the computer controls each damper individually. That means in corners where I’d expect a lot more body roll, I had very little. And in the Touring setting, the car just glides over railroad tracks.
To continue talking about the things I love about this car, the highway manners are fantastic. The seats are comfortable for long journeys, and are even heated and cooled. The climate control is easy to operate, with the temperature controls built into the air vents. The Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system even supports Apple Car Play (and soon Android Auto). There’s even a wireless charging mat for your phone that is so equipped.
It’s not all great, though. The same visibility options are there as the previous model. A high belt line and a low roofline are the culprits here, but the addition of blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alerts really help. The only thing really annoying for me is the driver’s side mirror sat right in my sightline if I were trying to eye up a corner or curb.
The MyLink screen is tilted down in this car, and has a high gloss finish. It’s weird to look at since it’s pointing downwards, and when there’s glare in the cabin, the screen is impossible to read. Thankfully, the heads-up display ripped straight from the Corvette helps a lot here in getting information.
Lastly, why on Earth do I need to have the parking brake on to open the trunk? I used the car to help cover the Rolex 24 race at Daytona, and my photographer was constantly getting in the trunk and having to have the brake applied was just time consuming and pointless.
All of that being said, I would buy this car yesterday. I was truly impressed with how many people were checking out the car when it was parked, considering the design isn’t that revolutionary. I was totally impressed with the on-road manners. This is a car I could live with every single day and be happy. It’s not only the best Camaro yet, but it’s arguably the best in this range of modern muscle cars.
photos via [Bryan Redeker]
Note: Chevrolet provided this vehicle for loan, including insurance and a full tank of gas. The car’s MSRP is $46,095 includes the $995 destination charge.