The Camaro is back in full swing for another year. A few trims with four different engine options are on the table along with the manual transmission. In basic trim, the exterior is simple and sleek and doesn’t get aggressive until the 1SS trim level which brings out a spoiler and a more complex front bumper. On higher trim levels, the interior becomes more colorful, with an accented steering wheel, gearshift, and gauges. Prices climb fairly steadily from the 1LS all the way up to the 2SS, but there’s a significant jump to the ZL1, which is where, in pure numbers, it broaches supercar territory. Here is a breakdown of the Camaro’s trims that can be configured.

As basic as it gets: Camaro’s 1LS trim

The Camaro’s most basic form takes the shape of the 1LS, starting at an affordable $26,195. It comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. $1,500 more gets the automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The engine uses direct injection and produces 275 horsepower. 

The 1LS can only come with this engine, and in fact, has very few options available aside from floor mats, a black appearance package, a weather protection package, and various aesthetics. More advanced safety features like Forward Collision Alert, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert are not available.

So many Camaro LT trims

Chevrolet offers the Camaro with not one, but four different LT trims, including the 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, and LT1. The 1-3LT comes with the 2.0-liter inline-four, but also has a 3.6-liter V6 option, which produces 335 horsepower. The LTs are identical for the most part. The 3LT comes with a convenience and lighting package and memory settings, which aren’t available on the other LT models. 

Differences in the three models don’t start showing until the interior features are considered. The 3LT has a Bose sound system as standard and various aesthetics options are sprinkled throughout the models. Camaro 3LTs come with all safety features as standard.

The LT1 is a different beast altogether. Its only engine option is a 6.2-liter V8 producing 455 horsepower, which still comes with a manual transmission. It comes with front performance Brembo brakes as standard, as well as performance suspension and shorter final drive gears. The LT1 starts at a modest $35,195. 

Welcome to performance: SS Models

Camaro SS models start with the 1SS, which comes with the same engine as the LT1. Brembo front and rear performance brakes are available, as well as launch control and a performance-tuned suspension. The 2SS gets all the safety features, while the 1SS does not have the option of forward collision, lane change, or rear cross-traffic alerts. Coincidentally the 1SS and LT1 have the exact same safety options. Like the LTs the SS models have different interior packages and features available to them. The 1SS starts at $38,695 with the manual transmission coupe, as the 2SS hops a short distance to $43,695.

Is it a Camaro or a Corvette: ZL1 trim

The ZL1 trim is where the Camaro starts to branch off into its own territory. It gets the same 6.2-liter V8, this time with a supercharger attached at the hip to produce 650 horsepower. It still comes with a manual transmission as well. Brembo performance front and rear brakes come standard, as does an electronic limited-slip differential and launch control. Like the 2SS, the ZL1 gets all the safety features. Starting at $64,195, the ZL1 is about $22,000 more than the 2SS, which is quite a jump. However, it’s cheaper than the considerably more powerful Mustang GT500 which starts at $70,300.

Which Camaro trim level is the best?

Choosing which Camaro trim level to buy comes down to the engine and interior. All cars are safe in the event of a crash, it just depends on what advanced safety features a consumer wants to help keep them alert. Using Chevrolet’s configurator to compare the trims, the LT1 seems like the best well-rounded choice. It has the V8, a manual transmission, and a limited-slip differential. It hovers around the Mustang GT’s MSRP, so it’s priced reasonably. The ZL1 undoubtedly performs amazingly, but justifying the extra $20,000 for 200 more horsepower and tuned suspension is a tough sell.