2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the top-of-the-line and track-focused Camaro. It starts at $61,500 and gets a supercharged V8 under its hood mated to a six-speed manual as standard. A ten-speed automatic gearbox is available as an option here. The standard features list of the Camaro ZL1 is based on the regular Camaro in the SS and 2SS trim. The only major difference here is the engine that the ZL1 gets.

New for this year is the 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package for the ZL1 which gets you special suspension dampers tuned for track races, 19-inch forged aluminum wheels but with wider rubbers, tinted taillights, fixed rear seats, and carbon-fiber hood and rear spoiler. Standalone options include a performance exhaust, navigation system, and sunroof. 

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As the Camaro ZL1 is itself a trim there is nothing much to recommend here. As for the optional features the ZL1 is well-equipped in the base form and unless you are a serious track-race enthusiast there is no point in spending money on the 1LE Extreme Track Performance Package although standalone options like the sunroof, navigation, and performance exhaust can be had as per need.

The 2018 Camaro ZL1 has a respectable fuel economy figure of 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined. These are the numbers when the Camaro ZL1 is had with the six-speed manual while the Camaro ZL1 with the ten-speed automatic sees a drop of 1 mpg in the city and an increase of 1 mpg on the highway. That being said, the Camaro ZL1 is among the most fuel-efficient sports car and comes with the largest 19-gallons of fuel tank thus be it on the highway or in the city you won't be needing to take frequent fuel stops.

In this comparison, the naturally aspirated V8-powered Shelby GT350 matches Camaro ZL1's city gas mileage and beats the highway gas mileage figures by 1 mpg. As for the Challenger SRT Hellcat powered by a supercharged V8, just like the Camaro ZL1, and weighing heavier than the Camaro ZL1 returns 1 mpg less in the city and 1 mpg more on the highway. Although when it comes to range from a tankful of gas then none can beat the Camaro ZL1 with the biggest fuel tank.

"Front seats occupants will do just fine but don't get caught in the back seat of the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro, and don't expect the trunk to hold a lot of groceries." - The Car Connection

The cabin of the 2018 Camaro ZL1 gives priority to function over form just opposite of the regular Camaro. In the Camaro ZL1, the dash is kept as simple as possible with a unique design for the driver's display. Although the quality of the material and fit and finish level remains the same as you get in the regular Camaro. Since the cabin of the Camaro ZL1 is heavily based on the regular Camaro don't forget to read our take on the interior of the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro.

The Camaro ZL1 comes with Recaro sports seats as standard with heating and ventilation along with power adjustment. The seats offer good comfort and the material of the Recaro sports seat feels good to touch. The side bolstering is a bit aggressive and folks with a wider body frame might find them a bit too intrusive. That said, the rear seats have negligible space whatsoever and are best suited for small kids only.

Only the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat boasts seating for five with usable and adult-friendly rear seats. While the Shelby GT350 offers the best front-seat legroom and the Challenger SRT Hellcat comes with the best front head and shoulder room.

Interior Features:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror
• Head-up display
• Wireless charging pad
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated front seats

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Infotainment System

The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a nine-speaker Bose sound system. The infotainment is average in terms of usability and user experience. That said, closely placed physical buttons are difficult to use while on the move.

Key highlights of the 2018 Camaro ZL1's infotainment include:

• Built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot w/ 4G LTE
• Lap timer and recorder
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Chevrolet MyLink w/ Apple Carplay and Android Auto
• Navigation
• Bluetooth connectivity

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Cargo space

The 2018 Camaro ZL1 offers a paltry 9.1 cubic feet of cargo space. Thus restricting its practicality as the cabin also is short of in-cabin storage space.

Both the rivals offer better and more usable cargo space compared to the Camaro ZL1 with the Challenger SRT Hellcat getting the biggest trunk among all.

"Retro cool and menacing, the 2018 Chevrolet Camaro announces its sporty intentions with its looks but compromises some function for its form." - The Car Connection

The exterior design of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was last redone in 2017 and thus this year it comes with no change whatsoever. The overall silhouette of the Camaro ZL1 is based on the regular Camaro. Although there are a lot of differences between the two starting with the front splitters and a more aggressive front bumper at the front portion while at the rear you get a rear spoiler and tinted brake lights.

Dimensionally the Camaro ZL1 is slightly bigger than the regular Camaro measuring 190.2-inches in length ( longer by 0.9-inches) and having 110.7-inches of wheelbase (same as the regular Camaro). The Camaro ZL1 is wider than the regular Camaro by 0.3-inches but is shorter in height by 0.2-inches. 

The Challenger SRT Hellcat with the adult-friendly rear seats, seating for five, and the biggest boot is naturally the one with the biggest dimensions among all. While if we compare the Camaro ZL1 with the Shelby GT350 then except for the length and the wheelbase the Shelby GT350 is bigger than the Camaro ZL1. 

Exterior Features:

• Xenon headlights
• LED daytime running lights
• 20-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels
• Tinted taillights
• Available sunroof
• Available performance exhaust

The Camaro ZL1 constitutes a smaller portion of the total Camaro sales and happens to be the top-end variant of the regular Camaro thus neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA has crash-tested it. On the other hand, both the agencies have crash-tested the base version of the 2018 Camaro where it scored a perfect five-star score in overall safety rating from the NHTSA while the IIHS gave it the highest rating of 'Good' in four out of five parameters.

Safety Features:

• Rearview camera
• Chevrolet’s Teen Driver technology
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Head-up display

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe vs 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat sure commands a premium over the Camaro ZL1 but it comes with a more powerful engine, a spacious cabin, better practicality, and is an overall better-suited daily driver. Although the SRT Hellcat can't beat the Camaro ZL1 when it comes to outright acceleration and gas mileage.

That said, the overall build quality of the Challenger SRT Hellcat is a shade below compared to the Camaro ZL1 with the ride and handling also being better on the latter compared to the former. So unless you usually need to carry a couple of passengers we think the Camaro ZL1 is a better choice over the Challenger SRT Hellcat.

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe vs 2018 Ford Shelby GT350

The Shelby GT350 sure packs in a lot of punch from its naturally aspirated V8 but it is no match to the brutal supercharged V8 of the Camaro ZL1. The Shelby GT350 can't beat the Camaro ZL1 in outright acceleration or power and torque figures. Although the handling of the Shelby GT350 is almost in the same leagues as of the Camaro ZL1 while the ride quality is better on the latter.

The Shelby GT350 with time has lost its dominance as the most powerful or fastest muscle car but it blends a fine balance between track-like performance and day-to-day practicality. The former can be had in the Camaro ZL1 but it sorely lacks day-to-day practicality. Thus as a daily driver, we prefer the Shelby GT350 but as a second car in the garage dedicated for track duties, the Camaro ZL1 would be our pick.

The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has upped the ante against the earlier segment dominators the Challenger SRT Hellcat and the Shelby GT350. The Camaro ZL1 isn't as powerful as the Challenger SRT Hellcat but is quicker than both its rivals. The Camaro ZL1 might not have a spacious cabin or a practical trunk as the Challenger SRT Hellcat but it rides and handles better than both cars. So there are certain compromises on the Camaro ZL1 but it remains the top-dog in the area where it matters the most for a track-focused muscle car.