2013 2 SS Camaro vs 2018 SS Camaro
 

So, I had to take my 2013 SS back in to my local dealership to correct an A/C door problem that I am still having issues with. The nice people at Henderson Chevrolet were kind enough to give me a 2018 SS Camaro with 1400 miles on it as a loaner.


Here are my observations based upon about 100 miles of driving to and from work in the last day.


Handling: 2018 SS all the way. With the different settings, touring, sport, and track, this car feels exceptional. It hugs the road. It feels more like a new Mustang than a Camaro in that it no longer feels like a big muscle car the way the 2013 does. It feels more like a sports car. The magnetic ride keeps it glued to the road. I've owned a 2005 Mustang GT, a 2011 Nissan 370 Z and an SS Camaro. The way the new SS handles feels like a cross between the Mustang and the 370 Z. I had a new Mustang GT on vacation this summer and the new SS feels very similar in its handling.



Exhaust note: 2018 SS wins again. As soon as you start it up, it rumbles. At highway speeds it growls like a big dog. Even with a K&N cold air intake on my 2013 SS, it doesn't sound as mean.


Electronics/Gauges: 2013 SS hands down. Everything on the 2018 is digital and clustered behind the steering wheel. I prefer the actual gauges in the 2013. They are easier to find and read. The 2018 Heads up Display is in color whereas the 2013 is monochrome, but I still prefer the look of the 2013 electronics vs the 2018. I think the infotainment unit on my 2013 SS is crap, yet I still like it better than the 2018.



Performance: Obviously, I can't take the 2018 to the track the way I have my 2013, but the 2013 wins again. The 2018 has about 30-40 more horses than my 2013 with the intake, but the way the power comes on is much different. On the 2018, you really have to get into the gas pedal to get it moving. On the 2013, you barely have to tap the pedal to get it moving, and if you really get into it, look out. I'm sure on the track, it would be pretty close with the 2018 likely winning, but around town and in traffic, I prefer the 2013 because it seems to accelerate quickly with less pedal effort.



Interior: Draw. Both my 2013 and the 2018 have the leather interior. I really like the new seats because they hug your body and feel more "sports car-like". They remind me of the way my 370 Z's seats felt. I'm not sure that they would be as comfortable on long trips as the 2013's though. Both cars are fairly cramped in the back seat. The 2018's rear window seams like it's even smaller than the 2013's and a bit harder to see behind you. It may be my imagination, but it looks like the 2018's trunk is bigger than the 2013's.


Styling: 2013. The 2013 just looks like a muscle car to me. It's big, bold, and says, "get out of my way, I'm coming through". It has a distinctive look with styling cues that remind you of the Camaros of the 60s. Although the 2018 has a distinctive look, and you still know that it's a Camaro, I don't think it shows as much heritage. The 2018 is a beautiful car, but I prefer a car that looks like a muscle car when lined up next to a Challenger or a Mustang.


To sum it up, the 2018 is a beautiful, great handling sports car, but I prefer our 5th Generation Camaros. If the dealership was hoping I would trade my 13 SS in for a 2018 SS, they are going to be disappointed.

Have you upgraded your 2013 suspension at all?

Hi LCL,


I have not upgraded my 2013 suspension at all yet. My 2013 is stock except for the intake. I'm 3 payments away from it being paid off and then I'll start spending money on it. What would be your suggestion of the first thing to do for the suspension?

Nice write-up!

When I had to take my Camaro back for warranty service, I got a Chevy Cruise... :pout:

Junk all the bargain basement crap Chevy put on the car to save money. It makes a WORLD of difference. I’d take the 2018 on in your above comparison. :)

Depends what your goal is really, but I've upgraded my front suspension with 1LE struts and I can tell it's WAY better than the stock struts. The ride is still smooth, but much more controlled. I've also got a ZL1 rear sway bar to go on.


You can check out my sig for a good mod list. I've done a crap-ton of research to pick those parts. :)

I’ll take a 15 - Z-28

Nice write up, I’d concur with your final assessment. I’ve driven a few newer SS Camaros and I’m not signing up for trading my ‘10 SS out any time in the near future. The 6th gen SS cars are nice and the newer technology is great but I like the interior space of the 5th gen and overall look better.

To me the interior of the new body style just looks like any other modern car. Nothing about it says “Camaro”. Its gone typical chevy engineering, cram everything into one space or component. And I think that makes the interior boring to look at. The exterior styling is ok but again a departure from the classic Camaro and trying to look more exotic. Its following in the Corvettes footsteps, just not as gracefully.

I noticed in sig you have speed engineering headers How do you like them how long have you had them any regrets im torn on getting them being so cheap cause basically im to poor to b cheap i rather spend it once

Do you want/need high flow cats? If so I'd say go a step above and get Texas Speed, Stainless Power, or OBX headers. If not, the choice is yours, but many people have had success with Speed Engineering here. Some have been less lucky, but there's more happy customers than sad ones it seems. I know you didn't ask my opinion, but I've talked with a lot of Speed Engineering customers over the years and more are happy than not. The welds are sometimes a little ugly and the pipes are welded to the flanges is not all that smooth, especially compared to a Kooks, SW, or ARH. Also, sometimes people have to dimple a pipe to get it to not touch something, typically a frame rail. However, it has been shown that dimpling a header only effects its ascetic appeal not its performance. Good luck and happy modding!

I try and buy parts made in America when possible, not China. Very happy with my AR headers.

Id b happy with your headers too but way to rich for my blood im just a poor union bricklayer but i am leaning more towards texas speed and pyroguy i appericate your info/input thats purpose of these forums i was never steered wrong on pirate 4x4 or cummins forum which are very similar except more member discounts from more vendors