2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE -- First Impressions

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 09/02/2019 at 17:36 • Filed to: Camero, camaro, camaro 1le, oppo review

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After 1500 miles, my first weeks with my 2019 Camaro 2.0T 1LE has taught me a lot about the car. With a 1500-mile break-in period, I have only been able to do “daily driver” things in the car so far. This review covers those elements, see my next story for performance driving impressions.

The Camaro was a car that I had long-believed to be a non-starter. “Terrible outward visibility” and “too heavy” come to mind. I spoke ill of Camaros many a time, both with car friends in real life and with car communities across the world wide web. I would say “I admit it’s fast, but I’d never own one.”

Things started to change about 3 months ago, when I test-drove one.

Having just test-driven a 2019 Mazda Miata, I saw the distinctive matte-black hood of a 1LE Camaro at the Chevy dealer across the street, and thought “hey, why not?” A few minutes later, I was behind the wheel and ready for disappointment. “After the Miata, this’ll feel like a yacht ,” I thought.

The test drive was surprisingly, shockingly good. Despite a 1,000-lb weight difference between the Camaro 2.0T 1LE and the Miata I’d driven just previously, the 4-cylinder “slowest Camaro” handled far more like the Miata than its hefty 3,350-pound curb weight would indicate.

Some engineering context helps to explain. On 1LE-package 4- and 6- cylinder Camaros, many of the suspension components are actually from the 455-horsepower V8 Camaro SS. Combined with a substantial staggered wheel & tire package (245-40R20 front and 275-35R20 rear), the base-engine 1LE Camaros are overbuilt for their power outputs.

This beefed-up handling hardware helps the Camaro feel like a smaller car than it is. With a Thanos-approved 50-50 weight distribution, the 2.0T 1LE can pull 1.0 G in corners, according to Chevy.

Fast-forward 3 months from the initial test-drive, and I am now dailying that same quintuple-black Camaro that I test-drove.

Interior

Overall, the Camaro is a car that has an interior. It’s infinitely more comfortable than my 1991 Toyota MR2 that I’d been daily driving. The seats are sporty without being uncomfortable, and the essential door- and console-armrests are positioned perfectly to rest one’s elbows on long drives.

It’s not some huge revelation of a nice interior, but there aren’t any glaring issues I can find.

Well, it does have some glare from the chrome trim arou nd the instrument cluster, as well as reflections of the seats in the back window. Polarized sunglasses eliminate these complaints quite easily.

The main touch-points of the interior are all wrapped in a suede/microsuede/faux-suede material. This means the steering wheel, shifter, and, surprisingly, the seat belt receivers, all feel relatively upscale. The rest of the interior is mostly hard plastic or cloth, but it feels well-assembled and solid.

Out back, the trunk has a pretty high lift-over and a small-ish opening, but has plenty of space for groceries. The rear seats fold down to make this a pass-through trunk. In theory, one could fit a small surfboard or two in the car. Whether it will fit a second set of wheels & track tires remains to be seen…

Ride & Handling

This machine feels composed. With such overbuilt suspension and riding on GM’s Alpha chassis (shared with many modern RWD Cadillacs) the Camaro is comfortable to drive in almost all situations. It handles San Diego’s questionably-maintained streets with confidence and poise. While it’s not Mercedes S-Class floaty, it still absorbs bumps better than its 20-inch wheels would lead one to believe.

Honestly, for one of the most capable and track-focused cars available on a budget, the Camaro feels quite mellow on the street. It doesn’t whisper “faster, faster!” in your ear while driving around town.

Fuel Economy

In almost all city-driving, I averaged 22.9 MPG in the first 1500 miles. This is about 3 MPG better than the 20 MPG city EPA estimate. Not bad, but this is also the gentle break-in mileage. No lead-footed shenanigans or freeway onramp accelerations thus far.

Still, it’s nice to know that the Camaro 2.0T’s downsized, turbocharged engine can actually turn good fuel economy if driven gently.

Outward Visibility

The Camaro 2.0T 1LE, along with just about any other Chevrolet Camaro on sale today, has an unusual shape to its greenhouse. This is a car that, in transportation-design terms, has a very small daylight opening. This chopped-top, hot-rod style look gives the car some unique sight lines.

As the Camaro’s visibility is a key area of controversy and internet-discussion, I’ll be writing a more in-depth analysis of that feature at a later time.

Personally, I don’t mind the sight lines. Some adjustment is necessary to see properly, stay tuned for a piece on that in the near future.

The backup camera is one of the best I’ve seen, by the way.

Conclusion

This is a Good Car. I can’t speak for track performance yet, but the Camaro 2.0T 1LE is a solid-handling and competent daily driver. It lends a sense of planted security and can cruise comfortably on the commute.

Later this week, I’ll have a “performance driving” review posted up here to cover how it handles autocross use. Stay tuned...

CRider > way2blu does a rev update 09/02/2019 at 17:58

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It's a nice car but I can't shake the feeling that the V8 could get similar mileage if you drive it wrong. 

CB > way2blu does a rev update 09/02/2019 at 18:02

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How's highway mileage?

way2blu does a rev update > CRider 09/02/2019 at 18:14

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The MPGs aren’t why I opted for the 4-cylinder, I think the V8 might actually get better mileage in a lot of situations. Lots of hills in southern CA so the turbo ends up in boost sooner than it needs to.

The advantage of the 2.0T will be explained in my autocross review later this week.

way2blu does a rev update > CB 09/02/2019 at 18:16

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On flat ground (rare in SoCal) and traffic flowing at  ~75 mph , it reads 35-40 mpg pretty consistently. I have a longer drive planned this week and I’ll do more detailed analysis then.

CRider > way2blu does a rev update 09/02/2019 at 18:27

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Yout bought it for the weight/handling? Did you drive a V8 before you bought the 4 cylinder? 

Chariotoflove > way2blu does a rev update 09/02/2019 at 19:01

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Very nice.  With all that black, I’ll assume GM has done its usual superb job with cold A/C.

way2blu does a rev update > Chariotoflove 09/02/2019 at 19:05

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A/C is, indeed, very cold. Very necessary this summer.

arl > way2blu does a rev update 09/02/2019 at 20:48

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Very good review! Looking forward to the track review. Sounds like a Good Car. 

way2blu does a rev update > CRider 09/03/2019 at 09:43

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The V8s with 1LE packages are still selling pretty consistently, while my local dealer had 4 identical-spec 2.0T 1LEs on the lot for a few months. Huge price difference was a big part of my choice of the turbo-4.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:06

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does it have navi?

What an oddly ordered car with the 1LE but no leather, navi (?), and sunroof  but the RS pack too

ihm96 > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:09

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Love it. Looks like an awesome sports car to drive. I drove a 16 with the turbo four and manual, it was nice. The new turbo 4s are honestly all the speed you really need on the street for most cars nowadays until you get to the heavier ones

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:12

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In almost all city-driving, I averaged 22.9 MPG in the first 1500 miles. This is about 3 MPG better than the 20 MPG city EPA estimate.

Is this according to the onboard or real world calculation?

Only asking because I find most onboard systems to be optimistic at best.

way2blu does a rev update > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 09/03/2019 at 10:14

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The car has Chevy’s OnStar infotainment, but I think every Chevrolet includes a free trial of that now. I’ve run navigation through Apple CarPlay and the display there works great.

The car is the base 1LT trim package with the 1LE Track Performance package as the only option. There’s an even lower-priced “Camaro LS” trim level, but that’s not available with the 1LE option.

The 1LE package adds RS badging even without the actual RS package, at least for the 2.0T models.

way2blu does a rev update > ihm96 09/03/2019 at 10:16

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It’s very “old-school JDM” feeling with the turbo/RWD setup. Plenty of speed and it has the right amount of turbo lag to be exciting too. 

Spanfeller is a twat > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:16

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I must ask, why did you chose the 4cyl, I opened the chevy configurator yesterday and both the i4 and the v6 were the same price.

Also, congratulations, the Camaro is growing on me, it’s probably my favorite of the usually compared trio. Specially without the V8

way2blu does a rev update > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/03/2019 at 10:18

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This was, in fact, the onboard. The trip odometers include an average fuel consumption metric alongside mileage.

I’ll have to do a more scientific test soon, it feels like I’m having to refuel every couple of days now (I do drive a lot though.)

way2blu does a rev update > Spanfeller is a twat 09/03/2019 at 10:20

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V6 has less peak torque and weighs around 100 lbs more. 2.0T gets the better 50/50 weight distribution too.

And thank you! I love the car so far and am now telling everyone “go test drive one too!”

ihm96 > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:24

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My dads coworker just bought the V8 performance one (I’m bad with Camara performance trims I get them all mixed up). Its white with the black hood, a bunch of alcantara, and a mañuel. Looks and sounds badass.

But I’ve gotten to the point where on the street I much prefer a car I can wind out thats quick but not so quick that you spend more time coasting on backroads than accelerating. I’d probably have more fun day to day in the 4 cyl than the V8  

Spanfeller is a twat > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:26

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4cyl probably has better fuel economy too....

I guess it’s a good tradeoff, more neutral handling, and more torque, at the expense of a bit of power...

Strangely, Chevrolet only sells the V6 and V8 here (both autos, boo).

Both are also more expensive than the Kia Stinger here, which is also disappointing .

way2blu does a rev update > ihm96 09/03/2019 at 10:28

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That’s a 1LE for sure, awesome! 

Honestly, the 4-cylinder only gets to see full acceleration briefly to merge onto freeways; everywhere else it’s holding back. Can’t imagine having almost 200 more horsepower with a V8. 

way2blu does a rev update > Spanfeller is a twat 09/03/2019 at 10:32

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The 2.0T seems to be pretty good on fuel when off-boost.

I’d say for my purposes (daily driving and lots of autocross) the turbo 1LE is perfect.

If the Camaros are  auto-only, the Kia Stinger is the clear choice. Chevy only has their track warranty on the 1LE models, which are manual-only.

Spanfeller is a twat > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:40

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the camaro is uncharacteristically expensive, you could get the M240i for less than the V8.

Admittedly the 2er is smaller and less powerful but still shocking to me

benn454 > Chariotoflove 09/03/2019 at 10:43

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It helps that they owned Frigidaire for decades, I'm sure.

Kuhat > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:45

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If you autocross, aren't the 2.0 turbos supposed to clean up in their class? That is a good reason to get that car 

way2blu does a rev update > Spanfeller is a twat 09/03/2019 at 10:47

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2 series probably has a bigger back seat. I’m pretty tall so the Camaro is effectively a 2+1 seating setup.

way2blu does a rev update > Kuhat 09/03/2019 at 10:52

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The 2.0T is classed with most other 2.0-liter “sport compacts” which includes some hot hatchbacks and the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86. Autocross classing definitely informed this decision :)

The 50/50 weight balance & neutral handling were a big factor for me too; been trying to improve my driving as well. Classic RWD was a must.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:53

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Wowiee! I missed that you bought it, congrats!

It just feels wrong to me to have a Camaro or a Stag without the V8....thats the only reason I don't own a boostag

way2blu does a rev update > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 09/03/2019 at 10:56

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Thank you! I’ll admit, the V8 noises are missed for sure. The turbo four makes very little sound at all and might as well be an electric car.

Still over 2x the horsepower & torque of my MR2 so it’s plenty quick by my standards. 

Spanfeller is a twat > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 10:57

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Even the Mustang is cheaper... maybe that’s why I had the impression that those V8 “pony” cars should cost under 40,000 dollars on this country.

Nonetheless, the C amaro is a good purchase

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 11:01

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Yeah, thats true. Most of the fun of driving the vette on the street is that sweet sweet burble at partial throttle and low revs :) also help that the LS pulls like a freight train :D

Is your 4 banger supposed to sound better with a cai and/or downpipe?

way2blu does a rev update > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 09/03/2019 at 11:23

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I’m sure it’d sound a little nicer with some bolt-ons airflow mods, but it’s not gonna sound nearly as good as an LS. Chevy offers the “active exhaust” on the V6 1LE but doesn’t even bother with the 4-cylinder.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 11:59

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Does the flat hood still require a special cleaning procedure? I did tech on a previous generation 1LE V8 and we ended up talking about how the hood is a PITA to deal with. Apparently you need to use special soap and be very careful about getting it dry or you end up with blotchiness.

Chariotoflove > benn454 09/03/2019 at 11:59

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Ha!

way2blu does a rev update > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/03/2019 at 12:03

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This car looks super shiny/matte... for about 30 minutes. Between the brake dust and lots of pollen in the air during this season, it’s been pretty dusty.

Once my fall semester classes are more settled, I’ll be detailing it more thoroughly.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 12:19

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I just find many people who rely on the onboard end up severely disappointed when they check it manually.

Doc > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/03/2019 at 12:37

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When I buy mine the vinyl is being removed and the white racing stripes will be painted on by the dealers body shop 

OmerCarrothers333 > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 12:51

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50-50 weight distribution you say? If the oil filter’s on the top of the block, I could consider one of these as a replacement for the GTI.

What part of the greater San Diego area are you in? I lived in Chula Vista, about a stone's throw from National City's car lots and the Navy base.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 13:08

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Thats just rude from GM...

way2blu does a rev update > OmerCarrothers333 09/03/2019 at 13:14

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The engine bay in the Camaro is extremely spacious with the 2.0T, which will be great for maintenance/upgrades once it’s out of warranty. The ratio of how much engine can fit under the hood, to how much there actually is under the hood, is insanely good.

I’m further north in SD , towards the 78 freeway (lots of great driving roads around there)

way2blu does a rev update > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 09/03/2019 at 13:15

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My guess is they tried the active exhaust on the 2.0T LTG motor, but it sounded awful so they just didn’t bother.

I guess I’d better straight-pipe it :P

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 13:27

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Braaaaap! Does CA allow that tho?

way2blu does a rev update > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 09/03/2019 at 13:32

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Hehehe. Anything downstream of the cats is fair game. If I can straight pipe it without popping the noise limits at autocross (91 db at 50 feet away) then I’ll do it for sure.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 13:36

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Do it :P

Kuhat > way2blu does a rev update 09/03/2019 at 14:12

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nice. I hope your first autocross in it was a success.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > way2blu does a rev update 08/04/2020 at 16:44

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This came up when I searched for Camaro 2.0. The 2.0 1LE seems like a really cool car on paper.

I’m curious- what is the height at which a person would be unhappy in the back? My 5 year old is happy in my 996 cab so my bar is low. Also, what’s your mpg like over a longer time frame ?

way2blu does a rev update > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 08/04/2020 at 18:06

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Having daily driven it almost a year now, including at autocross , I can confirm it is indeed a really cool car in real life too.

The back seat has legroom that a Porsche probably doesn’t, but headroom is the real constraint. I’d say anyone above 5’5” will have to lean to avoid the roof.

MPG is kind of an on/off switch depending on turbocharger use. It’ll burn through a lot of fuel  at autocross quite easily, but it’s also very frugal on the freeway. I’ve gone from San Diego to the LAX airport and back on less than half a tank. Lifetime mileage (not including autocross) is about 24 city & 35 on the freeway.

Thanks for commenting on here; I’ve actually written a follow-up autocross review but hadn’t remembered to share it here on Oppo. I’ll post that up soon!

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > way2blu does a rev update 08/05/2020 at 22:48

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I will tune in to whatever you write on this car. I’m still jonesing for a 3rd car(preferably bigger, more fuel efficient, cheaper upkeep,   and more modern than my 996 cab but manual and RWD unlike my X1).

And if I do decide to add another car to the stable   this is a car I’m going to have to try driving. It looks good, mileage is acceptable, and it sounds like the chassis is phenomenal. And my daughter shouldn’t hit 5’5” for 8-10 years so plenty of time there...