2022 Chevrolet Corvette vs 2021 Chevrolet Camaro

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro offered buyers a choice between coupe and convertible body styles, both of which shared a similar aesthetic, with the convertible's soft roof replacing the coupe's fixed roof. The convertible exuded a leisurely charm, perfect for scenic drives, while the coupe presented a more aggressive appearance. The Camaro was available in eight trim levels for the coupe and seven for the convertible, with the ZL1 being the most performance-oriented variant. The 2SS Coupe, tested for this review, featured standard 18-inch wheels, with options for larger sizes and summer tires. The Camaro's interior, though stylish since its 2019 refresh, raised functionality concerns, with parts-bin elements typical of General Motors. Wild Cherry design packs added unique styling options, including graphics and carbon fibre accents.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, meanwhile, drew inspiration from Ferrari with its mid-engine design, side air intakes, and sleek body. The Corvette coupe featured a targa-style removable roof, while the convertible boasted a retractable hardtop. All models came with staggered wheels and Michelin tires, with options for summer performance tires. The interior was distinct, with a square steering wheel and a dual-cockpit dashboard layout. The Corvette's design choices emphasized driver engagement, with a spine-like structure separating driver and passenger controls. Despite its sporty focus, the Corvette's interior was comfortable, with optional GT2 bucket seats providing ample support.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Buyers could upgrade to a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque, or choose from two V8 options: a 6.2-litre V8 with 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque, and a supercharged version delivering 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Camaro's manual transmission was less fuel-efficient than its automatic counterparts, with varying consumption rates depending on the engine and transmission combination. The 2SS model tested featured a non-supercharged V8, offering powerful performance but a less engaging manual transmission experience. The Camaro's drive mode selector allowed for customization, with Track mode available on select models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, on the other hand, featured a mid-engine layout with a 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, or 495 hp and 470 lb-ft with the performance exhaust system. The engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with no manual option available. The Corvette's performance was impressive, with a 0-96 km/h time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 312 km/h when equipped with the Z51 performance package. The Corvette's handling was precise and communicative, offering a playful yet approachable driving experience. The optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension provided a comfortable ride, even on rough roads, making the Corvette a capable daily driver.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro featured standard cloth upholstery and front bucket seats, with options for leather and Recaro sport seats. The front seats were comfortable but not particularly sporty, and the rear seats were best suited for small children. The Camaro's interior design limited visibility, with a narrow windscreen and oversized hood obstructing the driver's view. The centre console's cupholders were inconvenient for manual transmission models, and the trunk space, while ample for a muscle car, was limited by a high load height and narrow opening.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, as a two-seat sports car, prioritized driving over practicality. Its mid-engine layout allowed for two trunks, providing a total of 357 litres of cargo space. However, the trunks were oddly shaped, and removing the roof reduced cargo capacity significantly. The Corvette's driver-centric cockpit featured a square steering wheel and easy-to-reach controls, though rear visibility was limited. The optional GT2 bucket seats offered comfort and support, with power adjustment and lumbar support available. The Corvette's design emphasized driver engagement, with a focus on performance rather than cargo space.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro came equipped with a 7-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. Available upgrades included a head-up display, navigation, Bose premium audio, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The Camaro's infotainment system was functional but suffered from glare due to its forward-leaning design. USB ports and a wireless charging pad were also included, though the latter was awkwardly positioned.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital instrument cluster, with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Navigation and a head-up display were available on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple graphics and analog controls for climate and audio. The base 1LT model had a 10-speaker Bose audio system, while higher trims received a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system. The Corvette also offered a Performance Data Recorder and a front-end lift system for added convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro received mixed safety ratings, with the IIHS giving it "Good," "Acceptable," and "Basic" scores, while the NHTSA awarded it four and five-star ratings. Available safety features included rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and rear parking sensors, though some were unavailable on convertible models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette was light on driver-assist technology, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as the only notable features. These were not available on the base 1LT trim. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Corvette, as sports cars are not a priority for testing due to low sales volumes.