Both the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette have been staples of GM performance decades. Although the Camaro's post-2023 future is murky, both models are currently offered in a variety of trims, and are capable of providing exhilarating performance with available horsepower well into the 600s. There are many differences between these two Chevies though, which we will dive into in a brief comparison to help you make the most informed purchase decision.
Camaro vs. Corvette Price
Both of GM’s performance offerings are available in a wide array of prices. Unsurprisingly, the Camaro is the more inexpensive choice being a muscle car as opposed to a purpose-built exotic sports car. The Camaro is offered in a whopping eight trim levels and four engine options. The base 1LS starts at $27,495, while upgrading to the V6 with the 3LT will set you back $33,995. The 1SS is the cheapest way to get into a V8 with a $40,995 sticker price, and the track-focused ZL1 starts at a heftier $69,695.
Marketed as a supercar for the everyman, Chevy's 2023 Corvette has a starting price of $65,895 in its entry-level 1LT form. The Corvette obviously occupies a higher market segment than the Camaro, but it still offers a lot of performance for your dollar. The $73,195 2LT trim adds niceties such as an upgraded audio system and wireless charging station, and the $77,845 3LT features further upgrades seats and interior materials. The track-oriented Z06 starts at $109,295, and ranges up to $128,640 for the 3LZ convertible, although markups nearing the $150,000 plateau are not unheard of.
Which Is Faster: Camaro or Corvette?
The short answer here would just be “Corvette,” but there’s a lot more to it than that. Comparing the rental-fleet four-cylinder Camaro to a Z06 wouldn’t exactly be apples to apples. That being said, the Camaro is no slouch.
The lower Camaro trims are powered by a 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder developing 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is actually quite solid for a base engine. People may not necessarily equate V6 Camaros with performance, but the next engine up is a substantial 3.8 L V6, which produces 335 horses and 284 lb-ft. The V8 trims are powered by the 6.2 L engine from the previous-generation Corvette, which puts out both 455 horsepower and lb-ft of torque.
The Corvette Stingray is powered by an updated version of the same V8 block. The newer engine boosts power output to 490 and torque to 465, and both figures see an increase of five when the optional performance exhaust is selected. Obviously the most basic Corvette is faster than the lower trim Camaros, but its still a second quicker to 60 mph than even a Camaro SS.
Straight-line speed isn’t everything though. The Corvette is the superior handling car with its mid-engine layout and stiffer suspension, and the available Z51 handling package adds an electronic limited-slip differential, upgraded brakes, and summer tires. The Camaro is more than a capable car in the bends though. It has a very strong chassis, and the 1LE handling package is available throughout the model range which is a nice touch.
One performance advantage the Camaro has over its pricier sibling is an available manual transmission. Camaros of any trim can be fitted with a manual box, while a three-pedal Corvette is absent from the lineup entirely, which is a first in the model’s history.
Camaro ZL1 vs. Corvette Z06
Both cars are available as high-strung track-focused models. The Camaro ZL1 is powered by the supercharged V8 from the previous-generation Corvette Z06, which develops 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The current Z06 features a smaller but higher-revving naturally aspirated V8 that produces 670 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both models are packed with numerous aerodynamic and chassis upgrades to optimize their track performance.
The Z06 outclasses the ZL1 around a track, but it costs twice as much and the Camaro is certainly no slouch. The is ZL1 is also available with a manual transmission which is a nice touch, as driving pleasure is what both of these cars are about. Unless you really need to experience a mid-engined car around a track or have very deep pockets, the Camaro ZL1 will be more than plenty.
Camaro vs. Corvette Fuel Economy
These are both impressive vehicles, but fuel economy is not one of their strengths. Unsurprisingly, the four-cylinder Camaro fares best here, with EPA ratings of 22 mpg city and 30 highway. The Corvette Stingray attains ratings of 15 and 27 mpg, which isn’t bad for a V8 performance car. The Z06 only manages 12 and 19, which is (the ZL1 doesn’t fare much better). The non-Z06 Corvette isn’t a terribly inefficient car, but it can’t keep up with the Camaro and its more frugal engine choices.
Camaro or Corvette: Which Is Better?
The Corvette is one of the best driving cars on the market, and it can outperform cars that cost quite a bit more. That being said, it’s a lot more expensive than the Camaro. The Camaro is a much more accessible vehicle to more people, and offers a lot of performance for the money. That being said, it’s not really any more practical than a Corvette with its nearly useless back seats, so won’t be sacrificing much usability if you’ve got money to burn for the Corvette. The Camaro offers plenty of punch for most people though.
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