The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro arrived on Monday with a brand new face and incremental improvements to its technology roster and aerodynamics.
However, in the process, the pony car’s new looks seriously split the crowd. In typical GM Authority fashion, we’re here to ask if the 2019 Camaro is hot or not?
Let’s start with the face. It’s a pretty major departure from the current sixth-generation Camaro’s look. The original sixth-gen car took the well-loved fifth-generation Camaro and emphasized edgy shapes while trimming excess fat from as it moved from Zeta to Alpha. The refreshed Camaro plays on this, but introduces a massive front grille for the SS model with a blacked-out strip in the middle.
Chevrolet essentially showed us the refreshed Camaro years ago in the last “Transformers” film and Bumblebee’s look, which also housed a similar grille treatment. It’s not a horrendous look, but it does make for a rather squinty eyed appearance. The Chevy bowtie badge’s placement also draws the eye lower and emphasizes the controversial fascia. We wouldn’t call it a failure, but form seems to have followed function here.
Perhaps the best looking of the 2019 Camaro bunch is the new Turbo 1LE model. Said model gets a more traditional front fascia, though it ditches the 2018 Camaro’s chiseled front end for a rounder look. Despite this, it looks more cohesive in our eyes with a body-color bumper splitting the upper and lower grille. We’re curious if all 2019 Camaro SS models will wear the blacked-out grille after seeing the Turbo 1LE.
Moving back to the rear, it’s a slight nip-tuck. The taillights are the biggest change with two distinct outlines creating the Chevy dual-element look. Again, they also emphasize a rounder look.
What we think doesn’t look all that great is the lower trimmed models. Chevrolet showed off the LT in RS package trimmings, and perhaps it’s the silver exterior hue, but the look skews towards “rental car.” The rounder front fascia doesn’t look nearly as sinister as the Turbo 1LE.
Now that’s we’ve picked the design apart, it’s your turn. Strike up a conversation in the comment section and vote in our poll below.
Comments
The 2019 Camaro refresh is bad, in the I4 and V6 variants. In the V8 it’s worse than bad, it’s howlingly, forehead-slappingly, cringe-inducingly awful. It’s square yards of plastic and pointless, incoherent Roman Centurion earflaps. I’m a lifelong GM person. I had both a ’70 Camaro RS and a ’89 Reatta before I left college. Now I’m a tech sector engineer in my late 30s with enough money to buy an SS, so GM, please pay attention. 10 year old Transformers fans aren’t walking into your showrooms with cash. The new Silverado had already made me apprehensive about the future of GM design, and those fears have been validated. If Mike Simcoe is responsible for this new “design language,” he should be handed a cardboard box and told to clean out his desk. The real tragedy is that it’s too late to save the C8 Corvette from this convoluted nonsense, and that’s a car that generations have been waiting more than a generation for.
Agreed! Fifth Gen front facada was perfect, belonged on all Chevrolet cars.
This new design looks Toyota. Simcoe sucks, Mark Adams would have been a better pick.
Thanks ds for mentioning transformers again. Why does a car company think a 7yo boy’s fantasy movie director (Michael Bay, who Welburn invited to make Camaro6’s final choice) makes a good consultant for 25-45yo successful people?
Most definitely NOT! That Camaro SS design is a hot steaming pile of garbage. I’ve said before that GM should clean house and fire every single designer they currently employ. Not a single brand under GM have a single vehicle other than trucks that have an aspirational design. GM designers have consistently failed this great company. The engineers are on the opposite side of the spectrum, they have consistently delivered world class performance cars, but the designers always negate their excellent work with atrocious designs. I consider GM’s exterior and interior designers to be the absolute worst in the industry, while the engineers are amazing.
Cadillac’s design is definitely good.
I completely agree that GM’s engineers are world-class and that Cadillac’s design language is their best. The ATS Coupe offered with an LGW V6, a TR-6060 6-speed and a digital gauge cluster for 50K would do a lot more for Cadillac than the 2019 Camaro refresh will do for Chevrolet.
The 2019 Camaro SS look good what you talking about if you don’t like it don’t say “hot steaming pile of garbage”. it look better and GM may have some issues but they trying.
You guys identified the problem straight up with the turbo1le…”though it ditches the 2018 Camaro’s chiseled front end for a rounder look.”
Now you have a rounded face on a chiseled car. And does that top grill lean back like at s 45° angle???? What in the fresh hell is that!! As bad as the SS refresh is I think the turbo 1le and the other grill are going to look far worse in person. Completely disappointed they didn’t offer the turbo 1le in ’18 with the current grill, which is perfect. It fits/flows so well, and that’s probably because it was done as one cohesive design. Same with the SS front.
If you like a clean sheet GM design, which they are really good at, buy it before the refresh commandos sabotage it. Usually around the third year. They did it to the 5 gen. (squished the front end and ruined taillights), the current Silverado was ruined with the ’16 refresh… it rarely improves and usually looks like a stuck on afterthought.
I have never seen a new design/refresh rejected to this degree on social media. It should definitely be recalled, completely. Not just tweaked, or just the SS etc…, this nightmare could actually be turned into a huge plus for Chevrolet. The online community would give them huge props for admitting the mistake (nothing wrong with that) and listening. Unlike Ford with the ’18 Mustang refresh.
The 2019 Camaro is starting to grow on my a little more the more i look at it. I can’t say i love everything about it, i still think it needs a duckbill spoiler along with different colors. it’s not hideous, it caught everyone off guard. just like what ford does with the mustang. the 1LE Turbo is the easiest to get along with so far but i want to see what the SS 1LE will look like. hopefully it will get a larger duckbill spoiler than what is on the Turbo 1LE and improved side aerodynamics. definitely needs different colors. Also a power increase would be nice. just saying.
Like every change we have seen in the Camaro and Corvette. half hate change and half love change and after 6 months 90% have no issue with it at all. We see this cycle over and over.
While holding on to the past is fun it prevents you from ever moving forward.
I just love the comments how great the Gen 5 and they changed it too much, but then you see someone follow it up with they are losing sales because the new car looks too much like the old.
You folks need to get it together before they just toss in the towel and replace it with a FWS CUV. This car is in a dying segment and you had appreciate what you have before it is gone. This car may look pretty sweet in 10 years when you are unable to buy a coupe or even a V8.
To be honest it is a marked improvement over the Gen 5 Refresh. Those tail lights just never worked.
If I were GM I would just do what I want to do. They have addressed many issues with the car yet people complain. Often to try to make owners happy they limit the car in many areas. The Gen 5 was a show car and they kept it 95% in tact but then people complained it was to big and bulky. I can’t see out Boo hoo.
It is time in the next gen to blow it up and just do it all new and modern. stop playing to the past. Make sure it looks like a Camaro but stop living on the past of an old model.
Time to pull the limits off the Designers and Engineers. There is little risk as the segment is dying on retro.
I don’t hate it but also not in love with it either. At least it makes the 2019 look different to the 2017 and 2018. I sure hope the 6.2 got a power bump so the Ford 5.0 doesn’t make more like it does currently.
There is a photoshopped picture of the blue SS model floating around the net. The black bar across the center with the bowtie (which is ridiculous looking on a Camaro) is instead body colored in blue. The bowtie is then moved up into the grill.
The photoshopped picture literally fixes most everything that’s wrong with the SS model. There’s zero reason Chevrolet couldn’t do this. None. Especially as an option. Move the bowtie up, body color the black bar. Easy. This is what makes the RS look so much nicer.
The rear end is great IMO, but trying to pull off a split bumper look with a big black open grill doesn’t work here. The rest of the car as mentioned above is too angular and the black bar across the middle looks atrocious. The Elvis side burn fangs just add to the bad look.. Since the bar is necessary for crash test safety standards, it needs to be body colored. Just being black not only looks bad, it looks cheap. And sticking the bowtie right on the center of the bar only looks good on a truck.
Got a link to the photo?
It’s on the Camaro6 forums in case the link gets stripped from this post.
http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?s=f68ae6b7b63d12351440c490b44ccb2c&t=525668&page=2
The bowtie is unfortunately a hole. You can’t make this shit up.
Silverado looks awesome and I can’t wait to put one in my garage in the next 12 months. The SS is a mess, the red 1le looks good in the front but I need to see the whole car.
The need to offer a V8 with the base model looks. I don’t see myself warming up to the SS front.
I love how everyone hates the car, but the hate comments get more dis-likes.
I for one, do not like the new design at all. The red one, looks decent, but that’s about it. In addition to looking more like a mustang, the new design is just terrible. I love the way the new “massive grill” looks on the Equinox, the Traverse, and some models of the new Silverado.
But on the new sedans, especially this one, it has absolutely no place! The TrailBoss version of the new Silverado looks awful, while the LT and High Country look amazing. Too much “polarity”.
You guys have it all wrong! The Camaro refresh looks outstanding! The headlights with the led strip is very nice, fog like are more of the same. The grills have nice wide openings for cooling!
At the time i write this 57.48% of pole respondents don’t like the updated SS model (Not good, not good at all +I like the lower-trim models, but don’t like the SS.) It would be a huge step for a manufacturer to acknowledge its customer base and make understandably costly changes. It would signal to its audience that they do listen and care, in turn I think they would be rewarded in sales.
LMAoff! Love – Hate _ Love -Hate or is it just Hate Hate Hate. I’m just thankful we can still buy a performance RWD Pony.
I’m surprised to say this, but after spending some extended time observing the design details, it’s honestly starting to grow on me! I admit, like most people who’ve seen the car, my initial reaction was unpleasant. And while I still hold some dislike towards the overall facial design, I do think it looks quite radical, especially the turbo-4 1LE and LT models! It’s the SS model’s black strip that still doesn’t mesh well with the front fascia! Everything else is pretty good, especially the 10-speed auto for the SS model and the rearview camera, which the Camaro woefully needs!
Same here. I woke up yesterday to the news that they have unveiled the MCE 2019 Camaro. I was beyond excited. But the first photo I looked at was the close up front of the car. I was aghast. It featured the same bad CGI and lighting from almost all GM press release photos. Disappointed and pissed off was how I felt. Kinda the way I felt when I first saw the Mustang 2018 MCE photos. Hated it at first. Warmed up to it since then.
I then saw other pictures and colors and my impression has changed from outrage to actually liking (some) of the exterior changes. Final opinion will be when I see this MCE in person. The one thing we can agree on is GM needs to keep Michael Bay away from all future Camaro design decisions.
Yes, the mind has to assimilate the changes from expected expectations. Reactions, initially, can be visceral, good or bad, but then the intellect boots up and considers the situation. This can go either way, but an open and fair, critical examination of what has transpired usually trends towards acceptance, even like, at least by those not blinded by unrelenting prejudice. That started to happen for me when Chevy dot com sent me new pics and info last night. I went from on the fence to acceptance and now like.
I went through the same process when Chevy brought out the 69′ Camaro. I went from really liking the ventless window 68′(still do), to being bothered by the new 69′ styling. It wasn’t long before I liked them both just about equally, but in a different way.
The 2019 Camaro SS does not look as bad as people are making it.
in videos it’s easier to see the upper part of the grille is recessed and the bottom is out further, giving it a nice presence.
I have a ’16 Camaro SS and without a doubt it is a great machine. Now I like the front and back on the ’16 (16 thru 18’s), I also like how It is smaller than the 5th gen. I can care less about rear seat space.
**The only generation Camaro that had rear seat space somewhat is the 5th Generation- because it had to be built around the Zeta platform- that is the only reason. Camaro’s never been about the rear seat!
Let’s just enjoy this thing.
The Chevy SS Sedan is gone.
The entire Pontiac division is gone (now the 2006 GTO looks really good to what we have)
No matter what, the Camaro is a RWD 2-door coupe with some great engine options.
with what has been going on it does not appear that Chevy/GM is planning to add a Performance model Cruze to the line up.
with that being said, even the refreshed 2019 Camaro crushes many current cars.
It looks like a hockey player missing teeth.
Does it have wireless CarPlay finally?!
the 2016 has Apple Car Play.
I said WIRELESS!
it is wireless, I have a 16 2SS and never use a cord.
is it not wireless on some trims?
Nonsense unless you can show me where GM states this feature.
go to the dealership and try one.
cause you have misinformation.
FYI there is such thing as Wireless CarPlay. In fact check your phone. Settings>General>CarPlay
Okay I tried out my phone in the car. I was just using the blue tooth and making calls. (Since I use a flash drive for music and I got the NAV option).
When I plugged the phone in the USB port i seen all the iPhone apps on the Infotainment screen.
I see the difference.
I’m with you now. When is wireless coming!
Wireless CP requires wifi, GM’s $20/mo for unlimited wireless will surely increase by the time its available…BMW decided to start tweeting wireless CP like an navigation maps, they will start to charge $80/year…
Wireless CarPlay does NOT require cellular in a car. Further, Wi-Fi does not require cellular, the two technologies are mutually exclusive.
Slide 38, straight from Apple, note no cellular in car required!:
https://devstreaming-cdn.apple.com/videos/wwdc/2017/717tmz5rl6c2t2k/717/717_developing_wireless_carplay_systems.pdf?dl=1
i.e.: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-MkKiFb4gfHF/learn/whats-up-with-wireless-apple-carplay.html
I’ll hold onto my ’05 GTO, thanks
I really do not mind the new look…….The SS needs the more aggressive front-end treatment of the 1LE model and the ten speed auto is a great move…I only wish the horsepower would have been upped to 465-470!
I’m convinced it will look superb when it appears in the showrooms and on the street. I really like it. It’s bold, powerful, as if it wants to eat whatever is in front of it…
Me too. But I am looking forward to parking a 2016-18 1LE or ZL1 next to it in the future.
As for the 2019? I think I’m gonna have to wait for the 7th gen, because this is definitely not a looker.
I have been on the fence between purchasing the 2018 or hold off for the 2019 SS refresh. Well, I am disappointed in the refresh for sure especially the front. Center black Continue NEEDS to be body color to split up that HUGE black area and I would probably wait for it to make its debut. I know this is pre production and hopefully they will come out and say they will make some final changes soon and I’ll hold off.
If the current gen did not look so good, no one would be complaining. Let the market decide this one.
Rest assured, for the SS, if they just move the flow tie to the upper grill and paint the bumper body color, it might look really good again.
I don’t really dig the smiley look of the base models, so not sure how to fix that.
If anything, maybe there’s still time before ZL1 production so it won’t look like a pickup truck, too!
Thought it was hideous when I first saw it.
But after a day of mulling it over I’m coming round to it (as I did with the refreshed Mustang.)
Still not sure it looks as good as the current one but I know it will take a while to get used to the new front end.
Still can’t see out of it–new model please–keep drivetrain.
I think both Ford and Chevy did pretty lousy jobs with their respective 18 / 19 refreshing of Mustang and Camaro.
I’ll keep my 2012 Mustang GT Premium or look for lightly used CPO GT350 or ZL1 when I’m ready to change.
Though this does look better in Black than the featured colours shown here.
I was also in the fence between a ’18 and a ’19. I was waiting to see if a) there was going to be a significant increase in power and b) what the refresh looked like. I will be running (not walking) into the dealership this week to order a 2018 2SS Redline. The new tails look like a Malibu and the new front is just horrific. Even IF they offered a huge jump in power, I wouldn’t give that thing a second look. I’m embarrassed for them.
Furthermore, I’ll definitely hang onto my 1970 SS 396 Chevelle and my ‘70 Skylark Custom and y’all can keep your Apple wireless CarPlay and whatever other lousy, empty technology you simply can’t seem to live without (yawn).
A lesson from Earl, Mitchell… and Welburn – it doesn’t cost any more to style a beautiful car than an ugly one.
Trouble is, we’re living at a time when most people seem to demand ugly and they must have it loaded with tons of crappy, plasticky, unreliable technology. Gorge yourselves; it’ll never satisfy. I’ll keep beating around in a 22 year old sacrificial Camry to preserve the best of GM for some future enthusiasts that might fully appreciate what once made GM the greatest car company in the world: providing Everyman an absolutely stunning, satisfying car they could be proud of. If they made the 2020 Camaro as beautiful as it handles, there would be no competition. And the smart ones would pay extra to leave out all the so idiotically in demand but so thoroughly shortsighted planned obsolescence.
Make no mistake, it’ll be the Dodge Demons, Hellcats and 392s that people will be forking over big bucks for in the future, not these tortured Camaros nor the accomplished but blandly global Mustangs. And yes, only Dodge gets it enough to offer a decent selection of colors. And yeah any Challenger or Charger handles perfectly well enough for the traffic packed roads that are reality anywhere there are good enough jobs for people to be able to afford such cars, privileged “trackday” goofuses notwithstanding. Would you rather drive a Hemi Charger or an Impala? Malibu anyone? C’mon. Seriously, I’d sooner commit adultery and shack up with a base TT V6 Kia Stinger GT. Jeezus.
I’m a big fan of first generation Camaro and 5 and 6. I think we should wait to see what happens in GM house about the negative upset about the new look. I still like the Camaro , I could easily change the front and tail lights to my liking, but I wouldn’t. lets wait and see what happens.
stop with the cheap big looking black grills like those ugly Toyotas —
The Gen 5 look screamed “Get the F out of my way or I’ll chew you up and spit you out!”. Gen 6 and the new face lift are more like “beep, beep…excuse me”. The cattle car aka Lexus (and other imports) front end…ugg!! Rule #1 don’t screw with whats working. People are only buying these from a lack of options (oh…and millennial stupidity). I still can’t believe there is a turbo charged Camaro….seriously?!?!?!?!?!? So much for “true” muscle cars.
It’s funny that these are your comments about the Camaro so what do you want a car that looks fast and drives like a dud?
Why do people only focus on looks? The alpha platform is world class! But people wouldn’t know that because you cant see it with your eyes!
This “camaro” is arguably the ugliest in the line’s history. It’s laughably ugly. The Silverado facelift is ugly too. What was Chevy thinking??? Good lord, the Pontiac Aztek had a better face! Guess what, the MUSTANG and CHALLENGER still look great!
Chevy, let me first say that i grew up loving the Camaro and i have stuck with Camaro even when they decided to design the 2014-2015 Camaro to look like the nissan 300zx. But now you have officially crossed the line. Chevy, how could you do such horrendous and assanign things to the 2019 Camaro? I mean who did you hire to create body style of the 2019 camaro? Apparently you hired someone who used to work for Toyota and they thought it would be a good idea to have the front like exactly like a Toyota Camry. But that’s not the only insult to the beautiful 2016-2018 Camaro body style and design. Chevy decided to take it a step further and changed the back to look exactly like a Chevy Malibu. If i wanted a Malibu i would have gotten it instead. They must have been drinking and designing on the job, that’s very irresponsible of them. C’mon man. I guess I’ll have to get rid of my beautifully designed 2016 Camaro and ill be forced to resort to a challenger or mustang. Why Camaro? Why? One thing is certain, i WILL NOT be getting the 2019 Chevy camaro. It’s garbage in a trash dumpster ready to be taken out. I’m sure millions of camaro lovers around the world would agree. Steve, Ds, Gino, Danny, ArcticDog, Brian and Keith are just a few who hit it right on the nail
So what we are saying here Chevy is try again
Like I have said before……….Very ugly 2019 styling! When I first saw the newer 2019 rendition,I made my decision-Quickly! I went out and ordered a new 2018 SS.Have never looked back yet! I love the aggressive front end looks and love the alpha chassis platform,and the horsepower/torque is perfect! You don’t need anymore power anyway,unless all you are doing is drag racing! My 2018 SS handles and goes fast enough for me!