2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

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Rating7.2
Write Review
$55,505 - $60,705
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Reliable and powerful engine

Not so easy to drive

Carries over unchanged

Appealing exterior design

Limited outward visibility

Impressive driving dynamics

Specs & Features

$55,505

price

580 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

556 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

torque

6-Speed Manual

transmission

6.2L 8cyl RWD 6M

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is one of the most iconic performance-oriented cars to be ever sold in the American market and the Camaro name is simply legendary. The vehicle not only gets a refreshed styling but in addition to this, also gets slight tweaks to its features list. Being a high-performance car with dashing looks, it appeals to a niche crowd.

Buying Advice

The ZL1 not only gets a value-for-money price tag, but is also considered one of the most affordable cars in the segment. The ZL1 trim is available with almost all the features expected at this price point and will be a great choice for those looking for a reliable and practical car in the segment. It offers spell binding performance and looks very appealing as well.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

With prices starting from $55,505, the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe is one of the most affordable and powerful cars available in the market. The Camaro ZL1 gets a powerful 6.2-L V8 engine and takes on rivals like the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, and the Cadillac CTS V. Having said this, how good is the ZL1? Let’s find out. 

Features

The Camaro ZL1 Coupe is offered in only one single trim in the Camaro’s lineup and is priced at $55,505. The car can be had with both, a manual as well as an automatic gearbox which makes it suitable for a wider range of buyers. In addition to this, a number of the latest features like a heads-up display, automatic climate control, and parking assist are on offer.

Trim

ZL1

MSRP

$55,505

Key Features

7-inch colored touchscreen 

 

Navigation system

 

LED DRLs

 

Rear View Camera

 

20-inch forged aluminum wheels 

 

Dual-zone automatic climate control

 

Bluetooth connectivity

We Recommend

The ZL1 not only gets a value-for-money price tag, but is also considered one of the most affordable cars in the segment. The ZL1 trim is available with almost all the features expected at this price point and will be a great choice for those looking for a reliable and practical car in the segment. It offers spell binding performance and looks very appealing as well.

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

The combined fuel economy of the Camaro ZL1 stands at 16 MPG which is at par with the segment standards. Individually, the car gets a claimed city fuel efficiency of 14 MPG and 19 MPG for highway usage. The fuel tank capacity however stands at 19 gallons. For a car with over 500 horsepower, the fuel economy is decent, however, the number goes down significantly when you push it hard.

Models

2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Coupe

2015 Cadillac CTS V Coupe 

MPG (City)

14

13

14

MPG (Highway)

19

21

19

MPG (Combined)

16

16

16

Fuel Capacity (gallons)

19

18.5

18

Range (City/ Highway) (miles)

266/361/304

240/388/296

252/342/288

The fuel economy figures offered by the Camaro ZL1 are impressive and the car also gets the largest fuel tank capacity when compared to its rivals. This makes even its 304 mile combined range look the best in the category. The Dodge is the least efficient car of the lot while the Cadillac is returning the same figures as the Chevrolet.

Interior
8.4/10

Unlike most other cars from the brand, the 2015 Camaro ZL1 gets a basic cabin layout which may not look very appealing to the eyes but scores high in terms of overall practicality and ergonomics. There is no dearth of features inside the cabin and the quality levels are impressive. For starters, the ZL1 gets Recaro performance seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a color head-up display, and a number of other features as well. 

The visibility from the driver’s seat is not the best, hence making it difficult to maneuver through urban traffic and tight spaces. The flat-bottom steering wheel not only looks great but also feels nice to hold, all thanks to the thick leather wrap. The steering mounted buttons control the infotainment as well as the MID. A powered sunroof is also on offer with the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe. A short shifter is also available as a standard part of the package.

Models

2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Coupe

2015 Cadillac CTS V Coupe 

Seating Capacity

4

5

4

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.40/56.90/42.40

39.30/58.50/42

36.90/56/42.49

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

35.30/50.42/29.90

37.1/53.9/33.1

34.60/50.90/35

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

11.3

16.2

10.5

The cabin is decently spacious and offers a comfortable experience to the occupants in all the three cars in the segment. However, the Dodge scores one extra point because it seats one more person inside. In all, the interiors of the ZL1 are a great place to be for the buyers of this segment. 

Standout interior features: 

  • Recaro performance front bucket seats
  • Color heads-up display
  • Colour MID
  • Short-throw shifter
  • Steering wheel mounted controls 
  • Rear parking assist
  • Rear Camera system
  • Remote vehicle starter (only available with automatic trim)
  • Powered sunroof

How intuitive is the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe’sinfotainment unit?

A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Chevrolet MyLink System comes standard with the ZL1. This system is not only easy to use and understand, but the touch reception is great as well. Features like Pandora internet radio, Stitcher SmartRadio, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice commands are also present. The audio system has a decent output and other features like a CD player, USB ports, aux-in, etc are also offered. 

Standout infotainment features:

  • 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Chevrolet MyLink System
  • Pandora Internet radio
  • Stitcher SmartRadio
  • Bluetooth Connectivity
  • Voice Commands 
  • AM/FM/Sirius XM Tuners
  • CD Player with MP3 playback
  • Aux Input
  • USB Port

Exterior
7.0/10

Unlike the rivals, the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe comes with a modern touch in the exterior styling and features a strong design language which gives it a massive road presence. The design focuses on improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle and increasing the overall downforce. In addition to this, the design also focuses on maximizing the cooling efficiency of the powertrain.

Having said that, the ZL1 gets an aggressive design language and features the iconic headlights that are joined by a thin horizontal grille. The bumper too gets a sporty design language while the hood gets a prominent air intake. The build quality of the vehicle remains top-notch and the ZL1 is definitely one of the best-looking cars in the segment.

Models

2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Coupe

2015 Cadillac CTS V Coupe 

Curb Weight (lbs.)

4120

4449

4217

Length (in.)

190.6

197.5

188.50

Width (in.)

75.50

75.7

74.10

Height (in.)

54.20

55.7

56

Ground Clearance (in.)

N/A

4.5

N/A

Wheelbase (in.)

112.30

116.20

113.40

The dimensions of the ZL1 are at par with the segment rivals while it is the design of the vehicle that helps it to stand out from the competition. The most impressive thing however, is that it manages to be the lightest vehicle in class. In terms of dimensions, the Cadillac is the smallest out of the three.

Standout exterior features:

  • 20 inch forged aluminum wheels
  • Automatic headlamps
  • LED DRLs
  • Adjustable ride height
  • Dual-mode performance exhaust system
  • Heated ORVMs

Safety
8.0/10

The ZL1 gets a strong body shell with reinforced panels to keep the occupants safe by absorbing maximum energy during a crash. Apart from this, many active safety features are also available with the Camaro ZL1 such as six airbags, StabiliTrak electronic system, rear vision package, seat belt pre-tensioners etc. The base Camaro scored a five-star rating in the crash tests conducted by NHTSA. 

Standout safety features:

  • Six airbags including side curtain airbags
  • Rear Vision Package that includes Rear Park Assist and Rearview Camera
  • Four-wheel disc brake setup
  • Seat belt pre-tensioners
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • Remote keyless entry system with a red panic button
  • StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System

Final Verdict

The 2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe comes out to be a great choice for the buyers who are looking to buy a practical, reliable, and powerful car that is affordable. The vehicle gets a mighty powertrain and features laudable driving dynamics which makes it a preferred choice for hard-core driving enthusiasts. The after-sales support from the brand and the safety levels offered are great and one of the best in the segment. In addition to this, the exterior design of the Camaro ZL1 is extremely appealing and one of the best in the segment, thus making the ZL1 hard to resist.

Trims

    Base
    $55,505 onwards
    • 20-inch black forged aluminum Wheels
    • Simulated suede/leather Seat trim

Compare to similar cars

Price

$64,200- $72,500

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.76

Horsepower

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

Torque

300 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

Capacity

4

Read Review

$70,900- $79,200

Gasoline

8.5

450 hp @ 8250 rpm

316 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

4

Read Review

$55,505- $60,705

Gasoline

7.2

580 hp @ 6100 rpm

556 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

4

Read Review

$23,705- $72,305

Gasoline

7.65

323 hp @ 6800 rpm

278 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

4

Read Review

$101,770- $115,710

Gasoline

7.92

545 hp @ 6400 rpm

463 lb.-ft. @ 3200 rpm

4

Read Review

$23,800- $46,170

Gasoline

8.21

300 hp @ 6500 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

4

Read Review

2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    4 sec14.8 sec126 mph
    3.3 sec--
    2015 BMW M4

    Ranked #2

    3.9 sec12.1 sec155 mph
    4.5 sec12.7 sec174 mph
    5.5 sec14.1 sec144 mph
    5.9 sec14.3 sec-

    2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      12 mpg19 mpg16 mpg19 gal.266/361 mi.
      19 mpg28 mpg21 mpg16 gal.272/448 mi.
      17 mpg28 mpg20 mpg19 gal.323/532 mi.
      2015 BMW M4

      Ranked #2

      20 mpg30 mpg20 mpg15.8 gal.-
      16 mpg23 mpg19 mpg19.5 gal.312/448.5 mi.
      16 mpg23 mpg18 mpg16.1 gal.257.6/370.3 mi.

      2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        190.6 in.75.5 in.54.2 in.4 in.112.3 in.
        190.6 in.75.5 in.54.2 in.4 in.112.3 in.

        2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

        Ranked #2

        189.7 in.75.9 in.53.6 in.5 in.107.1 in.
        188.3 in.75.4 in.54.4 in.5 in.107.1 in.
        183.8 in.74.6 in.53.9 in.4 in.109.4 in.
        183 in.73.2 in.53.8 in.4 in.108.3 in.

        2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          11.3 cu.ft.-487.3 cu.ft.
          8.8 cu.ft.79 cu.ft.8.8 cu.ft.
          13.5 cu.ft.84.5 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.
          11.3 cu.ft.81.4 cu.ft.7.1 cu.ft.
          2015 BMW M4

          Ranked #5

          11 cu.ft.125.3 cu.ft.41 cu.ft.
          12.4 cu.ft.-4.1 cu.ft.

          2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            487 cu.ft.11.3 cu.ft.487.3 cu.ft.-
            83.1 cu.ft.13.5 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.6 ft.
            2015 BMW M4

            Ranked #3

            41 cu.ft.11 cu.ft.41 cu.ft.76 ft.
            4.1 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.4.1 cu.ft.232 ft.
            100.2 cu.ft.8.8 cu.ft.8.8 cu.ft.-
            81.4 cu.ft.11.3 cu.ft.7.1 cu.ft.110 ft.

            2015 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              --4120 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3719 lbs.
              2015 BMW M4

              Ranked #2

              -860 lbs.3530 lbs. -
              -818 lbs.3851 lbs.
              -882 lbs.4009 lbs.
              --3526 lbs.

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