The Chevy Camaro is undeniably one of the most iconic American sports car- second to only the Ford Mustang when it comes to sales and according to the critics at Consumer Reports. However, high-performance trims and packages (like the track-oriented 1LE package) are considered to be the cream of the crop of muscle cars. This includes the 2020 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE which is considered to be the best muscle car on the market, competing against the likes of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

With Chevrolet constantly updating and improving its line of Chevy Camaro’s, there have been some exciting changes to the 2021 Camaro. One of these changes is a powerful new configuration available on the 2021 Chevy Camaro SS1LE. Here is a look at the high-performance 2021 Chevy Camaro SS 1LE and how the 2021 model has become more similar to the Camaro ZL1 1LE.

The 2021 Chevy Camaro 

The 2021 Camaro will come in 7 trims: the LS, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, LT1, 1SS, 2SS, and the ZL1. The LS is the base trim and will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine capable of 275 hp. The 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT are all powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine capable of 335 hp with the 2021 Camaro’s with the number of upgrades increasing from the 1LT to 3LT.

The 1SS and 2 SS models are both powered by a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of 455 hp – with the 2SS being the higher trim of the two. Finally, there is the ZL1, which is the highest trim and is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of 650 hp.

How critics rated the 2021 model

Compared to the 2020 Chevy Camaro, which received critical reviews and a low overall score of 50 from Consumer Reports, the 2021 Camaro is a huge improvement. Consumer Reports awarded the 2021 Camaro an overall score of 63 (a huge improvement from the 2020 Camaro) and was ranked as the eighth-best sports car over $40,000. Even more impressive is the 2021 Camaro’s road test score which was an impressive 85/100.

Besides the iconic, sporty exterior Consumer Reports thought there was a lot to love about the 2021 Camaro. Although critics especially enjoyed the V8 engine models, all trims showed strong performance. Furthermore, all trims showed impressive handling, suspension, and sharp steering. In addition to this, the 2021 Camaro also boasts an impressively short braking distance and updated infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming standard, according to MotorTrend. 

Critics didn’t enjoy the many features of the 2021 Camaro that would affect the day-to-day driving experience. This includes terrible visibility, uncomfortable front seats, cramped interior, limited headroom, and poor dash vent placement. Other issues with the 2021 Camaro include absent auto emergency braking and a weak four-cylinder engine in lower trims. 

The 2021 Chevy Camaro 2SS 1LE

According to Chevrolet, all 2021 Camaro SS’s coming standard with a power-packed 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of 455 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. However, there some big differences between the Camaro SS and the Camaro SS 1LE, making the 2SS 1LE more track-ready and better set-up to compete with the likes of much more expensive cars. According to Car and Driver, some of these differences include electrically assisted power-steering, powerful Brembo brakes, and performance suspension. Additionally, Chevrolet describes how the Camaro SS 1 LE also comes with track enhances, summer-only wheels.

Although many of these features are very impressive, one of the most exciting features of the 2021 Camaro SS 1LE is the addition of a 10-speed automatic transmission. In previous years, the Camaro 2SS 1LE models only came with six-speed manual transmission. In fact, in previous years only the Camaro ZL1 1LE came with 10-speed automatic transmission. This adds one big new similarity between the Camaro 2SS 1LE and the Camaro ZL1 1LE with the 2021 ZL1 1LE still boasting a superior, 650-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine.