2014 Chevrolet Camaro 2ss Convertible Rwd Consuner Reviews
The Machine Connection Expert Review
Senior Editor
August 12, 2014
Likes
- Retro-contemporary looks
- 30-mpg highway for the base engine
- Better handling from the 1LE
- Good ride quality
- Impressive connectivity and features
Dislikes
- Frustrating outward visibility
- Simply not enough headroom
- Super-tight back seat is a tease
- Interior trims disappointing compared to other Chevy products
Buying tip
features & specs
2-Door Conv LT w/1LT
2-Door Conv LT w/2LT
2-Door Conv SS due west/1SS
The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro may accept a somewhat contemporary wrapper, but in its ZL1 and Z/28 guises especially this musculus machine turns into a serious performance car with truly entertaining handling.
The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro is the most comprehensive update to Chevy's musculus car since it was relaunched for the 2010 model yr, though they're largely limited to its blueprint and styling. Even in its fifth year, the Camaro continues to sell well, with a lineup that runs from the affordable V-six to the 5-eight SS, the track-worthy Z/28, the close-to-a-supercar ZL1--and our selection, the best-of-all-worlds 1LE.
The category of American muscle cars returned with a bang several years ago, and while the Ford Mustang stood alone for many years, information technology now competes head-to-head not only with Chevy's Camaro but as well the Dodge Challenger. The Camaro'southward cartoonish, wide-shouldered design, scorching operation, and general musculus-car attitude face off confronting the uber-retro Challenger and the longstanding and well-known Mustang--each of them with a similar lineup from tamer Five-vi entries through pavement-pounding hot rods.
The Camaro's blueprint continues to turn heads. The look is polarizing, no doubtfulness, and outrageous in almost every inch of its sheetmetal, from the too-low roofline to the squared-off haunches. It's an attending-getter, even if the styling gives it some of the worst outward vision of any volume vehicle nosotros've driven. Simply owners aren't likely to care nearly that.
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For 2014, the whole Camaro lineup gets somewhat revised sheetmetal all around, a new functional hood vent for Camaro SS models, and a revamped look front and rear, the Camaro strikes a somewhat dissimilar chord on the outside. A thinner upper grille with a larger lower grille assist make the front end look a picayune lower, perhaps, while new rear lights are wide, rectangular, and thin, which helps exaggerate the car's width from some angles. Inside, changes are very minimal, with a central approximate-cluster information center the most meaning difference for this especially low, cockpit-like layout.
Powertrains essentially remain the same. At that place'south the stock 2014 Chevy Camaro, with its 323-horsepower Five-6 and a selection of half dozen-speed automatic and transmission transmissions. It'due south the foundation for greatness, and in truth, it doesn't fare too desperately as a sports motorcar. Overall, if yous can forgive the odd driving position, its electric ability steering, rear-wheel drive, and independent suspension bring relatively nimble responses and a ride that'south comfortable plenty for only about any enthusiast type. EPA highway numbers ranging upward to thirty mpg are an unexpected bonus.
The V-8s are all the same what most people have in mind when they recollect of the Camaro; the half-dozen.2-liter 5-8's lyrical engine notation is a hypnotic for men of a huge range of ages. We're looped by information technology also--and by the gripping 60-mph runs of 5 seconds or less. With huge staggered tires and a front-end weight bias, there's still room for comeback in the style the SS handles; become the 1LE package that rights out the tires to equal sizes, tightens upwards the steering and manual gear ratios, and you can tap into some easy, controllable oversteer.
At the meridian of the operation ladder is the ZL1 coupe and convertible. With their supercharged, 580-hp version of the 6.two-liter (with either transmission) and the magnetic shocks institute in the Corvette and some Cadillacs, it not only provides well-nigh-supercar numbers (0-60 mph in iii.9 seconds, a elevation speed of 184 mph); it's also affordable, because that, at about $60k.
Fifty-fifty more affordable is the new-for-2014 Camaro Z/28. With a focus on rails capability, the Z/28 takes after the original 1960s models, and not the later '70s and '80s ones carrying that classification. In information technology, a vii.0-liter V-8 makes 500 horsepower and 470 lb-ft. There'due south no standard A/C, and all Z/28s have a six-speed manual gearbox, but the design saves 100 pounds overall in weight. Spool-valve dampers, stiffer jump rates, and special Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires all add to the runway chops.
The cabin appointments are where your love matter with the electric current Camaro's style and operation might come to a screeching halt. Why? Because the low-prepare roofline means that there's a severe shortage of headroom for taller drivers (not just the actually tall ones, only most six-footers will notice information technology tight, besides). SS and ZL1 Camaros can be trimmed up with suede and leather and brightly colored trim pieces--some of those combinations are love-or-hate, really--while on all Camaros the back seat is for children only and the trunk is tight.
With a lineup that includes the LS, LT, SS (and 1LE), and ZL1--in addition to the new Z/28, equipment also spans a wide range, and the Camaro tin be a rather basic coupe, a luxurious touring car, or an all-out performance auto. OnStar comes standard and navigation is available; Bluetooth, USB, and iPod connectivity are offered equally options or every bit standard gear, and a caput-up brandish mimics the 1 constitute in the Corvette. Convertibles get ability-folding soft tops with glass windows, and standard rearview cameras. The ZL1 bundles it all together in instantly collectible grade--but even SS Camaros, peculiarly 1LEs, show the same potential to entertain auctioneers long subsequently they've thrilled their original drivers.
For 2014, the Chevrolet Camaro gets a number of trim and appearance changes, with new wheels and colors throughout. The Hot Wheels Special Edition is no longer offered, and a rear spoiler is no longer standard--which might entreatment to those who want a cleaner await.
The Camaro gets some nips and tucks, but it'due south withal a retro blast on the outside with a slight-out-of-sync interior design.
The Camaro'due south loftier-shouldered, cartoonish outside, muscle-auto mental attitude, and scorching performance carry information technology through with every bit much head-turning potential as ever. The look is polarizing, no incertitude, and outrageous in every inch of its sheetmetal, from the also-low roofline to the squared-off haunches.
And in the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, there's quite a bit different in the details compared to final yr. The entire Camaro lineup gets its near significant circular of changes yet, but they're mainly cosmetic. With somewhat revised sheetmetal all around, a new functional hood vent for Camaro SS models, and a revamped look front and rear, the Camaro strikes a somewhat different chord on the exterior. A thinner upper grille with a larger lower grille help make the forepart end wait a little lower, perchance, while new rear lights are broad, rectangular, and sparse, which helps exaggerate the machine'due south width from some angles.
Otherwise the retro-tinged wait blasts into the future. It's certainly as total of design hypocrisy as ever, with its bold confront, squat haunches, and muscular fenders, all exciting and evocative of the best Camaros of the past--let downwards past the barefaced forepart end and small, cartoonish greenhouse. On the other mitt it's all likewise much to digest in one look--the way really exciting cars should be.
Within, changes are very minimal, with a primal gauge-cluster data center the most significant difference for this especially low, cockpit-like layout. Certainly, it's less retro-themed than the outside, with nods to the sleds of the Sixties mostly establish in the depression-mounted console gauge cluster, vintage type confront, and nested bezels. Despite that, rival models like the Ford Mustang exercise accept a more than usable, improve-finished cockpit.
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Each Camaro model drives a trivial fleck differently, merely whether you become for a Five-6 or one of the top-performance V-8s, they're surprisingly nimble.
There is no single performance story for the 2014 Chevy Camaro. The lineup includes a corral of strong, surprisingly economical V-6 models; SS and 1LE musculus cars with burbling 5-8s and a blinding stride; and the pinnacle, supercar-caliber ZL1 as well as a track-tuned Z/28. Information technology's non as confusing as trying to effigy out which Chevy pickup is for you, but you certainly have a lot of performance decisions.
The base 2014 Chevy Camaro has a 323-horsepower V-6 and a option of vi-speed automated and manual transmissions. It's the foundation for greatness, and in truth, information technology doesn't fare as well desperately as a sports car. Overall, if you lot can forgive the odd driving position, its electric power steering, rear-cycle drive, and independent pause bring relatively nimble responses and a ride that's comfortable enough for just almost any enthusiast type. EPA highway numbers ranging up to 30 mpg are an unexpected bonus.
The Five-8s are still what virtually people take in mind when they think of the Camaro; the 6.ii-liter V-eight's lyrical engine annotation is a hypnotic for men of a huge range of ages. Nosotros're looped by it too--and by the gripping 60-mph runs of v seconds or less. With huge staggered tires and a front-finish weight bias, there's however room for improvement in the style the SS handles; get the 1LE parcel that rights out the tires to equal sizes, tightens upwards the steering and manual gear ratios, and you tin tap into some like shooting fish in a barrel, controllable oversteer.
At the top of the performance ladder is the ZL1 coupe and convertible. With their supercharged, 580-hp version of the 6.ii-liter (with either transmission) and the magnetic shocks establish in the Corvette and some Cadillacs, information technology non only provides near-supercar numbers (0-60 mph in three.9 seconds, a pinnacle speed of 184 mph); it's besides affordable, considering that, at about $60k.
Fifty-fifty more affordable is the new-for-2014 Camaro Z/28. With a focus on track capability, the Z/28 takes later on the original 1960s models, and not the later '70s and '80s ones carrying that nomenclature. In information technology, a vii.0-liter V-viii makes 500 horsepower and 470 lb-ft. In that location's no standard A/C, and all Z/28s have a half dozen-speed manual gearbox, simply the design saves 100 pounds overall in weight. Spool-valve dampers, stiffer spring rates, and special Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires all add to the track chops.
Across the lineup, handling isn't annihilation at which to belittle. The 6-cylinder cars have electric ability steering that's not too bogus in experience, and with 18-inch wheels standard on its command-arm and coil-over-shock independent rear suspension, the base Camaro with the bachelor sport break packet tin can feel almost nimble--as nimble every bit anything weighing in at nearly 3,800 pounds can feel.
Convertibles lose some of that precise feel that'southward been dialed in, as a part of their (lesser) body structure. Still, this base Camaro is light-years ahead of the highest-performance Camaros of only the concluding generation, and then make sure your expectation buttons accept been reset.
At that place's a psychographic gulf between those cars and the V-8 Camaros, and the Camaro SS provides all of the rumble any musculus-car driver could want--with pregnant handling differences, depending on the steering, intermission, and wheel-and-tire packages. The powertrain is V-eight and six-speed--a 426-horsepower, half-dozen.two-liter Five-viii on manual-transmission cars, and a 400-hp version of the same engine with six-speed automatic-equipped cars, a power loss that's attributed to its fuel delivery organization. With either combination, 0-threescore mph is simply about 5.0 seconds away, accompanied past one of those irreplaceable musclecar roars that belongs in the Smithsonian's sound library. While the 6-cylinder cars tin get away with automated transmissions, the SS' manual shifter'south non only a collector prerequisite--it's a well ironed out piece with quick shifts and short motions. Plus, there's a dual-style exhaust system that mutes the V-8 at depression speeds and amps it upward at total prod--and information technology'due south only bachelor with the manual gearbox.
From there, the V-8 Camaro family spins off into a few branches. All versions have a similar interruption design, 20-inch wheels, and now, electric power steering, but tuning differences requite the handling edge to this year's new 1LE edition. The wide stance and brusque wheelbase aren't helped by the bones SS coupe'south staggered 245/275 tires and 52:48 weight distribution; they make the Camaro feel less tossable and induce more understeer than can seem possible in a car with this much power available at the rear wheels, though the SS and versions with a sport suspension setup have meliorate ride control than expected, besides.
For more neutral, track-set up treatment, the Camaro SS 1LE cures near all. It's a lively twist that, in our books, should be the stock SS suspension based on our experience with it at Michigan's Gingerman Raceway. The 1LE gets its own specification, with a close ratio transmission transmission (there'due south no automatic here, folks), transmission cooling, identically sized 35-series tires front and back, monotube rear shocks, a bigger forepart anti-roll bar, a front strut caryatid, and some pause mounts from the ZL1 for better stability. To keep everything lite(-ish), Chevrolet's fits the package to less plushly trimmed SS models. A blacked-out hood and spoiler visually set off the 1LE from other models. Still, the 1LE brings no extra push to the party. That'southward not its mission. Instead, the stability control'southward sport mode allows more than yaw, releasing the Camaro from its understeer shackles to step out more than in corners. There'southward no drama, either, as the oversteer is easily controlled with GM's expertly tuned, remapped variable-ratio electric power steering. Without checking the box for the 1LE package, you lot can get about all these performance-enhancing pieces equally standalone options—except for the remapped power steering. Unfortunately, we oasis't tested the 1LE yet on public roads, but he improver to the Camaro lineup on a racetrack is nimble different any other muscle car.
Only it's the ZL1, Camaro'southward elevation model, that's hard to reconcile. It sports supercar performance with a pricetag in the range of $lx,000. It's motivated by substantially the same 6.ii-liter 5-8 as the bottom SS, but adds supercharging to the mix to produce 580 horsepower. Aside from the more powerful engine, the ZL1 is blessed with magnetic dampers and numerous aero upgrades to go on the engine cool and tires planted on the route. It all conspires to launch the ZL1 to lx mph in 3.nine seconds on its way to a top speed of 184 mph. Chevy even took it around the Nurburgring to notch a fourth dimension of nether viii minutes.
Believe information technology or not, there'south nevertheless some other Camaro functioning package, and it'southward more of an encore than function of the main functioning: the Z/28. If you've forgotten, the key stats of the new Z/28. With a 7.0-liter LS7 V-8 engine, making 500 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, the Z/28 promises to be stiff, harsh, and loud compared to other Camaro models—and merely apparently uncompromised. Its rail-bred suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, transmission and differential coolers, and Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tires, altogether mean business, and those who spring for the Z/28 will also want to skip the A/C and delete the radio. Add together in thinner rear glass, a smaller bombardment, no fog lamps, and this is a machine that means business on the track.
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Interior appointments are quite dainty in the 2014 Chevy Camaro, only the rear seats and trunk are very small--and you lot'd ameliorate not be very tall in whatever example.
The cabin appointments are where your dear affair with the mode and performance of the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro might come up to a screeching halt. Why? Because the low-set roofline means that there's a severe shortage of headroom for taller drivers (not just the really alpine ones, simply almost vi-footers volition detect it tight, too). The cabin is small even by musclecar standards, and storage and trunk infinite are minimal. Ingress and egress can be difficult due to its low, long roofline sitting squarely in the way of your head its long, heavy doors blocking yous in beside other cars in tight parking lots.
Want to do a track day? Tall drivers get the short end of the stick. Add a helmet and your head volition be tapping the ceiling at every turn. Adding a sunroof farther exacerbates the situation.
At east the front seats are comfortable regardless of trim—fifty-fifty on long trips. The rear seats are another story; 911-similar and unusable for those beyond nine-years quondam with the spec sheet quoting just under xxx inches of leg room. Rear-seat room is also compromised by the Camaro'south dramatically narrowing torso every bit information technology goes aft and its trunk will barely fit lawn tennis bags.
SS and ZL1 models tin be trimmed upwards with suede, leather, and brightly colored trim pieces—some of those combinations are honey-or-hate, really.
Although yous sacrifice a lot for the design of the Camaro, kudos to GM for making them so tight and rattle-free; nosotros've noticed in repeated drives route and wind racket are truly kept to a minimum.
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The 2014 Camaro Coupe continues to earn excellent rubber scores; simply desperately needs a rearview camera.
The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro is surprisingly strong in safety for a performance-oriented coupe. With a good listing of safety features and a acme v-star federal score, there's no reason to steer away from the Camaro for prophylactic reasons--provided you can meet out of information technology, that is.
The Camaro Coupe earns National Highway Traffic Rubber Administration (NHTSA) ratings of v stars overall. All the same, information technology hasn't yet tested a convertible--and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn't tested any Camaro.
Prophylactic equipment in the Camaro includes six airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control, also equally the OnStar telematics system with six months of emergency service. Bluetooth is an option on some models as well. We think, given the prevalence of mobile phones, it's a necessity.
All of this and so far adds upwardly to peak-notch condom, but a high beltline and depression roof becomes a liability for the Camaro's outward visibility, hindering sight lines for average-superlative drivers and more so for shorter ones. Thick rear pillars and a pocket-size rear window compromise rearward visibility. The lack of a standard rearview camera (convertibles practise include i) and parking sensors inflict boosted pain. Y'all may have to step out of the car, or accept a rider aid navigate out of tight spots, embarrassingly often.
In that location's nothing luxurious hither; all the basic needs are met, with lots of room left over for advent and performance extras.
With a lineup that includes the LS, LT, SS (and 1LE), and ZL1--in improver to the new Z/28, equipment also spans a wide range, and the Camaro can be a rather bones coupe, a luxurious touring auto, or an all-out performance machine. Over the past couple of years, information technology's made strides in catching up to the Mustang'south more complete list of options.
OnStar comes standard and navigation is available; Bluetooth, USB, and iPod connectivity are offered as options or equally standard gear, and a head-up display mimics the one institute in the Corvette. Convertibles get ability-folding soft tops with glass windows, and standard rearview cameras. The ZL1 bundles it all together in instantly collectible class--but even SS Camaros, especially 1LEs, show the same potential to entertain auctioneers long afterward they've thrilled their original drivers.
For 2014, the Chevrolet Camaro gets a number of trim and appearance changes, with new wheels and colors throughout. The Hot Wheels Special Edition is no longer offered, and a rear spoiler is no longer standard--which might appeal to those who want a cleaner wait.
Some models can also be optioned with a leather-wrapped steering cycle and shift knob, remote showtime, USB input, ambient lighting, and a sunroof (on coupe models, naturally).
Luxury features bring together LT trims, including power reclining front end seats covered in leather and offer hear, a caput up brandish, a iii-spoke steering wheel, and a caput-upwardly display like to the one used in the Corvette. The RS package brings a unique torso kit and upsized twenty-inch wheels. While the 1LE is almost a divide model, Chevrolet treats it as an choice packet on SS models. In improver to the performance enhancements mentioned above, 1LE models receive twenty-inch wheels and a flat-bottomed steering bike.
Top ZL1 models raid GM's handbag with bespoke wheel and color options, aero add together-ons, alloy pedals, suede interior trim, rear parking sensors, four ancillary gauges, and remote start on automated models equipped equally standard. Optionally, buyers can fit a suede interior package and sunroof if they so choose.
Sound and telephone features are controlled through Color Touch, an LCD touchscreen interface that also runs the Camaro's new optional navigation system. It likewise provides enhanced functionality for apps like Pandora. You can perform basic tasks via vocalism commands, only it'south not as versatile as Ford's SYNC system.
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The Five-6 Camaro models are the best choice for the mileage-minded; although for their extreme horsepower, 5-8s aren't bad.
The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro is far more fuel-efficient than it looks--provided you lot stick with the base V-6, that is.
Considering how well the V-6 model performs, it's very good on gas--earning nineteen mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway with its six-speed automatic; manual-transmission models earn 17/28 mpg.
The 5-8-powered SS scores just 15 or sixteen mpg urban center depending on transmission and 24 mpg highway regardless. For the 7.0-liter Z/28, gas mileage figures fall a bit to 13 mpg city, xix mpg highway, and fifteen mpg combined. The virtually expensive Camaro is also the thirstiest. ZL1 models with its 580-horsepower supercharged V-8 see fuel economy estimates of xiv mpg city and 19 mpg highway for the transmission and 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway when paired with the automated.
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