As you may should have already heard, the 2019 Camaro SS is in for a refresh that brings with it all kinds of changes, including new front end styling, a revised rear fascia, the new GM 10-speed transmission, and new technologies such as the Rear Camera Mirror, third-generation Chevy infotainment systems, Forward Collision Alert and revised ambient lighting with new blended color choices. But what a by-stander will notice first about the updated 2019 Camaro, however, are the freshened looks – which also extend to models with the 1LE track handling package.
We just managed to get our hands on exclusive pictures of the 2019 Camaro SS 1LE sitting right next to its pre-facelift twin – the 2018 Camaro SS 1LE, and are bringing them to you hear for a direct side-by-side comparison. There’s a poll at the very end of the article for you to vote for which one you like best.
The new front end styling of the 2019 Camaro is noticeably different from the original sixth-gen model, featuring a new front, grille, dual-element headlamps, LED signature lighting and a new “flowtie” open bowtie grille emblem. Notice that the black elements feature a polished black finish, along with aero-enhancing air curtains.
The hood of the 2019 Camaro SS 1LE continues to feature an extractor-style hood, but it looks quite different now, with a single transverse extractor replacing the dual longitudinal units of the 2017-2018 models.
Look closely enough at the rear bumper cover, and you’ll see the new rear fascia of the updated model as well as sculpted LED taillamps with dark-tinted neutral-density (clear) lenses. Notably, these are exclusive to V8-powered Camaros for the 2019 model year (as LS and LT models get taillamps with red lenses).
So, which one do you like best – the new and refreshed 2019 Camaro, or the original 2017-2018 model? Vote in the poll below and sound off in the comments.
Pricing
Some models of the 2019 Camaro will cost less than their 2018 counterparts. In fact, the base Camaro will cost $905 less when it goes on sale later this year. Unfortunately, V8-powered SS models will not become more affordable, as pricing will remain similar to that of the 2018 model.
Assembly
The 2019 Camaro is assembled by GM USA at the GM Lansing Grand River factory in Michigan.
Availability
The 2019 Camaro SS follows the regular GM model year rollover sequence and launches in the third quarter of the 2018 calendar year.
Comments
You might want to change your poll as you have both options pointing to the 2019.
Or maybe you just are trying to tell us that you think the 2019 SHOULD be the winner.
Well played.
Don’t expect details or facts much on this site much. But you will get a lot of left-wing politics masquerading as automotive news…
Are you just saying words?
Show me one example of anything remotely political that GM Aurhority has covered this summer.
Don’t care so much about the political leanings of GMI. But the poll DOES lack a 2018 voting option.
The poll has both 2018 and 2019 choices. If you don’t see it, please do a force refresh in your browser.
Separately: GM Authority has never demonstrated any “political leanings”. We’re here to talk GM and cars. Not politics. Sometimes, the topics intersect… and if/when they do, we are very neutral in our coverage.
Alex it still does not show a 2018 where you vote. It shows 2019 both choices.
Thanks for the note.
There is a possibility that a small percentage of users saw an incorrect version of the poll because of some caching issues. We’ve since flushed the cache.
Now, anyone who saw two choices for the 2019 Camaro should see the choice for the 2018 Camaro as well after refreshing the page.
Thank you everyone for your patience and apologies for the inconvenience.
Fixed now and I think you meant to say 2018 at the last part of your statement above.
Go back to the kremlin, troll.
Nice find on the pics!!
Only part of the 2019 I prefer over the 2018 is the rear bumper that’s pretty much it. Even the tailights I would rather have the 2018 Zl1 1LE lenses any day over the new ones. The front just looks too busy
If the Camaro6 forum fixed version of the 2019 was an option, I would have picked that. So I chose other, in hopes that fixed version becomes an optional reality. Because for me personally, the fixed version is the best looking Camaro since the 67/68 gen 1 and split bumper gen 2. It even had some IROC’ish elements which this side profile somehow lends itself to well.
Meh. Overall it took a turn for the worse.
They shouldn’t have changed the 1LE wheels. They looked awesome now they look not awesome. Maybe I’ll wait for another refresh. Hopefully they get it right next time.
I hate the giant black hole that masquerades as a front clip on the ‘19.
I love the SS 2018 front end, the base trims were the problem. The 2019 SS is nice too.
But why can’t GM make a decent rear end?
GM always seems to have a problem making rear ends of cars. Like they use all their resources and brain power on the front clips and have nothing left for the back ends.
GM needs to go to booty school…
I like how they took the rear bumper cover, which was chiseled and sculpted to minimize the appearance of a bumper, and rounded it off, making it not only more ordinary and more prominent, but fat and out of place looking, then tacked on what’s become the standard license plate cutout shape for Chevrolets for the hell of it.
Nothing works, IMO.
The 2019 looks outstanding!
Like the 2018 better, looks like the designers were worried about a layoff cause the 2018 was sooooo right that they over designed the 2019, got it soo wrong…
2019 looks great. Nasty and intimidating.
Front end & taillights on ’19 Camaro SS do not appeal to me. My ’18 2SS/1LE was ordered June 1st, built July 19th, and arrived @ Rod Hatfield Chevrolet August 9th. None of the LPO items, which should have delivered before my car, have arrived @ the dealership. Awaiting delivery & installation of numerous LPO items that will make it unique…
I wouldn’t be caught dead in this smoldering heap of design fail. The unoriginal retro design’s lack of sleekness is unforgivable for a sports car, and it tries so hard to look macho that it’s like a cartoon caricature of a muscle car.
The GM design studio has once again ruined an engineering masterpiece.
At least we still have the ATS coupe for now. Here’s to hope for the ATS coupe successor to fully embrace it’s inner Camaro while looking as gorgeous as the current one.
Its not that bad. I wish that the ATS-V sedan made the cut. So I will have to get a low mileage one. Not a huge fan of the A8, I prefer the 10spd of the ZL1 or new SS. I like the visibility of the V better than the SS. I love the look of the SS but they need to lower the window bottoms /sills to make it better to see. the ATS coupe has smaller blind spot.
The retro look is nice, everyone has their opinion. However, the gauge humps need to go as it limits the outward view which is already shabby.
I just wished they offered the 1LE in auto. I have a bad ankle and need auto from here on soo… Also its faster in every way j/k.
I have the 2018 SS, and love it! The 18 looks more aggressive to me. The only thing I like on the 2019 is the hood. I wonder if they are interchangeable?
I was thinking the exact same thing!
I’ll stick with the ’18. But feel free to put the ’19 hood on it – or on my ’16 if you prefer.
Fix your voting choices… there is none!
As I mentioned above, there is a possibility that a small percentage of users saw an incorrect version of the poll without all the choices. We have since flushed the cache. Now, anyone who saw two choices for the 2019 Camaro should see the choice for the 2018 Camaro as well after refreshing the page.
Thank you everyone for your patience and apologies for the inconvenience.
Are you people unable to read, you can vote for the 18 or 19 .
The 19 is the best.
Not sure if you noticed but there are a lot of retarded people that hang around here. Mental institutions must be offering internet access now… ROFLMAO
The 2019 is ugly.
I may be in the minority here but I prefer the 2019 Camaro hands down to the current one. Front and especial the rear. The only thing I dislike on the 2019 SS is where the Bowtie is placed. Right in the middle of the bar. It should be placed above it like in the 2018 one.
2018 has a better front. Not liking the black front on the 19 , but newer has a lot better electronics .
2019 looks like a three year old who got into mommy’s make up kit.
The only thing I like better about the 2019 is the rear. They ruined the front, in my opinion.
Pretty interesting that so many people are disliking the 2019 in the comments but the poll reflects most people preferring the 2019. Personally I like the 2019 so much more that I sold my 2016 and have a 2019 on order.
I’ll be buying a 2019 SS1LE… color undecided as of yet but leaning toward Riverside Blue. When I first saw the refresh, I was unimpressed… but the more I see it, the more I like it. I think the new front end is more and more aggressive looking each time I see it.
Front and hood look good but not sure about the disco tail lights.
2019 looks much better now with it’s more aggressive front lip, better anti lift at speed heat and air extraction, better cooling, and more aggressive front end now. The tail lights look good blacked out but I liked 18s too so the front end and hood on the 19 SS 1LE to me is a major improvement.
Is the 10 speed automatic transmission available for the 2019 SS 1LE?
Only the 6-speed manual transmission is available in 1LE spec’d Camaros.
The taillights on the 2019 look cheesey
Looks like a dodge charger grill that I don’t like!!!
I’m a die hard Chevy guy and Camaro enthusiast (I’ve got three in my stable so to speak currently as well as one of its sister cars). Unfortunately, is it just me, but all I can see when looking at the 2019 front end is a 2018 Honda Accord with that big black opening. The tail looks good except for the attempt to round out the tail lights, I hated, I don’t like to use that word as I tell my kids that’s a strong word, so I’ll go with strongly dislike, how the engineers Corvette-i-fied the 2010’s tail lights. I love GM, but they really got to stop taking design cues from the Vette, I have my Camaro’s because I wanted a Camaro, not a Corvette. Anyhow, my personal opinion and we all know how opinions go, if I were in the market to get another camaro right now I’d get a 2016-2018 as they look the most aggressively fast even when sitting still.
You guys are definitely the poster child for having first world problems. To sit here and nitpick the Camaro piece by piece, inch by inch is pathetic. First of all the Camaro is a sports cars and should be judged on that. Does it perform? We all know it does! But this is where you feel your entitled to having more, but this square inch doesn’t sit well with me. Please give it a rest, does the Camaro handle? Brake? And perform as a sports car? If the answer is yes then these things you are nitpicking about are nonsense!
We have to start judging cars and trucks for what they are intended to be used for. Camaro is not to be used to carry people like a van. Its supposed to go fast which it does very well at.
The looks are great and if I think so then why am I wrong and you are right. It seems to me the that when people support GM designs they are put on the back burner to people who trash them every chance they get.
I dont nitpick every inch of a car because I am smart enough to understand that a automotive company can not and will not make everybody happy with their design language. So I take the entire car into consideration! Does the car perform the way it was designed to?
Getting hung up on the way a light is shaped or this spot on the grill is just a waste of time. It’s a waste because you people had better start appreciating these camaros and Corvettes because in the near future these types of performance cars might get the plug pulled and when they are gone they will not be ever coming back! But I imagine that people will be to self centered to acknowledge this and continue to nitpick the Camaro until is not here anymore.
Then they will complain that GM doesn’t build fun cars to drive anymore! You know like they now do with the Chevy SS!
Chevrolet says the 2019 Camaro is more aerodynamic; but it just doesn’t pass the eye test where the older car looks sleeker or the fact that the 2019 EPA mileage numbers is worst than the 2018 Camaro which doesn’t makes sense unless the Camaro has gained weight.
There is no “eye test” for aerodynamics, only a wind tunnel test. What looks sleek often isn’t at all efficient aerodynamically.
As for the eye test for beauty, this Camaro is a big stonking pile of fail.
Did GM hire the Honda Civic Si designer?
I agree! In the ‘50s, ‘60s and early 70s GM design led the world. Now they follow.
Americans only (believe) they lead the world when they have no competition. Today they only lead in ignorance… ROFLMAO
well they did fix the hood. neither one is all that great i wish they would get rid of the disco drl lights
well they did fix the hood, neither year is all that great i wish they would get rid of the disco drl lights
+10
I prefer my 2015 SS 1LE
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1779/43284462634_292f7a93ce_z.jpg
They completely ruined the front end. Looks cheap and common-not a Camaro look at all.
The 2019 is unbelievably ugly. GM needs to clean house and hire new designers. The exterior and interior designers of this vehicle has done a huge disservice to the chassis/dynamics engineers.
The 2018 has ‘attitude’ – the 2019 is “bleh”. When I first saw a picture of the ’19, I felt so disappointed. Camaeos are beautiful cars and the front grille of this car looked like all the other models.
The 2019 front end is a complete hot mess.
The 2019 rear end is a nice homage to the 5th Gen tail lights that they ruined in the 5.5 Gen MCE.
Both models’ hood mounted heat extractors are measly and ill-conceptualized.
The ’19 Camaro has a face only a mother could love, on payday. Looks like the stylists worked too much OT on trucks and SUV’s. What were they thinking? This isn’t a Camaro look at all.
I thought it was ugly at first, but seeing them side by side, it looks fantastic. I voted 19.
I like the 2019 refresh. But I think of swimming goggles ever since someone pointed out that the taillights look like them.
I’m not a Camaro guy but let’s take a look at this from a functionality standpoint. The 19′ has the extractor exactly where it is more functional which is in the center at the front. The hood is more sculpted and appears to be lower on each side of the center bulge for better visibility.
The 18′ has large fake brake air ducts which are ubiquitous on every want to be boy racer out there including every Honda Civic. Instead the 19′ has functional air curtains which actually are proven to make a difference in aerodynamics. Every “real” sports car out there are adding this feature to their new models.
In terms of aesthetics, well that’s purely in the eye of the beholder. But speaking for myself, I will take functional over appearance every time on a true performance vehicle. Again, not a Camaro guy but do think the 19′ looks fine. The 18′ is just more traditional or common with what has been done in the past.
I dislike both. The prior gen had a larger face, more space to work with. 2018 looks all crammed in but the Dodge-like black out is a homely bore, too.
Camaro needs a major overhall for next gen. Mustang is more of a “world” car, Challenger is retro Americana but Camaro is just blah.
I’d love to see a modern take on the 1970s/80s take on Camaro if not something totally unique and fresh that will appeal to more than Boomers. Camaro needs a design for millennials.
Une voiture sport devrait être plus sobre en apparence. Il y a trop de détails sur la 2019. GM devrait tourner autour de l’apparence de la première génération, celle qui est l’origine de son histoire. A sports car should be more restrained in appearance. There are too many details on 2019. GM should turn around the appearance of the first generation, which is the origin of its history.
I like the 2019. More modern looking. Has similarities to the ZL1. Love the rear taillights. Front LED ok. Same complaints thought. Visability,Visability,Visability. Two piece drive shaft? Still the 1-4 gas saver shift. Rear differential could be stronger. Appreciation still poor. But on a high note. Love the SS 1LE, best bang for the buck out there in its category. I plan to purchase one this April 2019.
Both SS 1LE designs look great, the only thing that I hate that I think is out of place, is the chrome Chevy emblem on top of the black bumper, it should go on the grille, looks out of place, it would be the first thing I removed if I purchase one. The hood vinyl is not for everyone.
Besides that the 6th. gen Camaro SS1LE is the best performance car for the $, very close in performance to the Corvette Stingray Z51. The SS1LE and the stronger ZL1 would give shivers to most euro exotic sport cars like Porsche, BMW Ms, Audi R8, Nissan GTR, etc.
Time always moves forward. Nostalgia is fondly looked back upon. The future is always what one makes it. As with any new car, the 2019 Camaro SS 1LE is a blank canvas for any new owner. Just as the previous generations were.
I like the front of the ’20-’22 Camaro and the rear of the ’16-’18 Camaro.