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Chevy Camaro ZL1 Faces Dodge Challenger Hellcat In Head2Head: Video

Another day, another muscle car comparison test. This one comes from Motor Trend’s “Head2Head” and features the 2018 Chevy Camaro ZL1 and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Widebody.

It’s a tough comparison, even though the Chevy Camaro ZL1 absolutely shames the Challenger Hellcat in the real world. Both hosts Jonny Lieberman and Jethro Bovingdon find the Challenger Hellcat find there’s just something special about the Hellcat that the Camaro simply doesn’t exude.

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody

On the road to choosing the king of modern muscle cars, the Camaro ZL1 and Hellcat Widebody are put through their paces. The baselines tests prove the Camaro ZL1 is by far the better muscle car, or rather, a sports car. It’s not the first time we’ve heard reviewers allude to the Camaro ZL1 as an American M4. The Chevy will absolutely keep up and even clobber the best from Germany’s M or AMG divisions. Here, it’s quicker in a straight line, outdoes the Challenger on the track and presents itself as the muscle car redefined.

It’s a theme we’ve watched the Camaro team follow since the sixth-generation car debuted. The Camaro has consistently chased lap times and hardcore track packages. It’s a far cry from what the Camaro of yesteryear stood for. Perhaps for better, but maybe for worse in the grand scheme of things.

2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 front three quarters

The Challenger Hellcat, on the other hand, also performs as a modern car should. It turns, stops, puts its power down and more. But, as both hosts say, the Challenger tugs at the heartstrings more. It’s more representative of what the muscle car was decades ago, except it wraps those feelings in a package that performs in every other way yesterday’s muscle cars didn’t.

So, it’s inevitable. The Camaro falls to the Challenger, which simply does a better job at being a muscle car. Or does it? We won’t spoil the final outcome. Watch the full episode at the link here and watch a preview in the video above.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Numbers dont lie! Faster is faster! I’ll take that direction and focus any day for a Camaro. Instead of asking for more headroom, legroom, trunk room, visibility!

    Keep pushing the Camaro to be the best performance muscle car and stop trying to change the Camaro into a soccer mom minivan!

    It doesn’t need more room or storage what it needs is more performance!

    Reply
    1. Honestly, I believe either car is more than capable of attacking your favorite backroad with enthusiasm. In my opinion, the separation come when you have track day aspirations.

      Reply
    2. Yes numbers don’t lie. And despite being an old design the Challenger outsells the Camaro year after year. Why is that? I think there are several factors, price, styling and day to day usability. I for one could not stand smashing my noggin getting into that low roofline of the Camaro every day! I think the article hits it on the head, the Challenger just channels the old muscle car feel much more than the Camaro does and in this market segment that counts for much.

      Reply
      1. Those numbers are not the numbers I want to lead!

        Reply
      2. Year after year? Post those up because the Camaro has outsold the Challenger every single year since 2010. It outsold both Mustang and Challenger the first 5 years

        Do you do ANY research before posting such claims? Or do you just make shit up and pretend like it’s a fact?

        The Challenger has outsold the Camaro so far in 2018 and will likely finish up the year ahead, but this will be the first year ever. A far far cry from the lie of “year after year”

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        1. Reply
      3. The ZL1 is by far the most uncomfortable car I have ever been in. The Recaros suck, the seat does not go back far enough and as with all Camaro’s the visibility is garbage. It may have better fit and finish but when it comes to Muscle Cars, the Challenger is the car to beat.

        Reply
  2. Where is the video

    Reply
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  3. Who wrote this chevy magazine.I have both
    cars and it’s a close straight line race but the Hellcat has way more left with just a tune.Camaro is the best Camaro yet by far but it just don’t have any soul.I like then both but the hellcat it the one that everyone what to look at and ride in.My hellcat has with a tune will run 10s all day long.my Camaro just can’t do that and yes numbers don’t lie.

    Reply
    1. So you dont think the ZL1 cant run better number with a tune? That’s crap! You can’t make a argument about a stock car vs a modified car!

      Numbers dont lie if they are apples to apples!

      Reply
  4. Yes camaro always period!

    Reply
  5. Have you ever toggled the switch on a Maserati to get that deep rumbled growl? I have not figured out why Chevy will not do it for a Camaro. That is basically what you and they are craving. The cabin is too quiet. That is why you quickly allude to the M4 and AMG comparison. They are quiet compared to the Hellcat.

    Reply
  6. Where is the video?

    Reply
    1. The last paragraph has a click here for video. It will take you to it. It was a great video.

      Reply
  7. A Tesla Model S is faster than both of them. Why would I opt for a muscle car with a big engine when I could get one with AWD electric power? Sure it may cost more but what about buying used?

    Reply
  8. Dodge Challenger Hellcat produced on a 10 year old platform with an Iron Block. Yeah, i’d say its a far more superior vehicle. Give me a break. A lot of people like racing in a straight line but who am i to judge. Have a great day.

    Reply
  9. I just don’t get it, when these cars were just straight line performers. Publications just such as these would complain that American cars were just good at going down a straight line and lacked refinement of the BMW’s and Porches and were no fun to drive. Now Chevy refines the Camaro to be both and they still knock it. They choose the dumb ole hellcat that just goes fast down a straight line. Idiots!

    Reply
    1. Finally a guy that gets it

      Reply
  10. I am sorry numbers don’t lie. The Camaro is just a beast. Straight line and on the track! For the price I laugh at AMG Ms and RS cars. So what if mustang and Dodge outsell the Camaro. That just adds to the mystique. Those cars are a dime a dozen!

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  11. Hello cat?

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  12. I like the Camaro much more than the Dodge… and I’m a Mustang guy. Everywhere I look, there’s another challenger/charger. No personality.

    Reply
  13. Mopar has and always will lead the way look what’s coming the new demon it will blow the wheels off any car on the market no doubt

    Reply
  14. All i have to say camaro

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  15. How about we coparent them both to a 2013 and newer gt500? I’ve seen a ton of comparisons with these two models against a gt350.

    Reply
  16. I own a Challenger with the Hemi and 6 speed manual. My brother has the Camaro ss manual shift, my car is alot more fun to drive in my opion. Even my Chevy loving brother has had his fun with it.

    Reply
  17. How often do you actually get to go a whole quarter of a mile in a straight line? For that matter how often do you get to go more than a quarter of a mile at more than 15 miles per hour? Both of these cars would be a blast to romp on at every stop light, but for Pure fun in heavy traffic it’s still Porsche. Weave in weave out, Jump On It, Dynamite the brakes.

    Reply
    1. If wanna pay 150,000 plus for a car just to weave through traffic be my guest. The Camaro would challenge most Porsche’s

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  18. I’m a middle aged male that has owned well over 150 cars. My first car was a Chevrolet and then I moved on to Ford’s for many long years. In my late 40’s I started driving BMW’s and Jaguars.
    The moral of my story is don’t waste all your car driving Precious Years like I did!
    DRIVE A MOPAR!

    Reply
  19. Your biased opinion SUCKS! Step into the real world, Ford Mustangs even cruise by gm. Your as bad as their commercials!

    Reply
  20. I know the Hellcat is a badass car but you just can’t argue with the performance of the 6.2L Supercharged V8 in the Camaro! The ZL1 is much more sinister looking too, in my opinion. On top of that, the 10spd transmission is excellent and makes that car quite a bit faster than the lesser 6spd manual. I would love to have either one but if I’m paying around $75k for these cars, I’ll take the Camaro please!

    Reply
    1. Why are you trying to say an automatic transmission belongs in a muscle car?
      Sure its faster but you lose the connection with the car, having a manual transmission is the best way to have a car, no matter what kind of car, manual is far superior.

      Reply
    2. Also, that is a very nice gun, now give it back to your dad.

      Reply
  21. First thing I noticed was how much the two cars are starting to look alike. Copying each other a compliment ?

    Reply
  22. I like them both I’ve owned a few cameros in my time . And I know what a gels cat can do but I’ll stick to BMW 7 series now that I’m getting older.my 745 can keep up with crouch rockets…. Already proved that to myself on Pennsylvania turnpike. For weighing over 5200 lbs. Been looking at Mercedes S550 as my next purchase……..

    Reply
  23. Come on people. When you own either of these fine cars, the track is where we open them up for any sane person.

    Reply
  24. I still won a 1994 t-top camero in tip top shape all original except the tires and would not have any other, unless Chevy comes out with another with t tops it adds class

    Reply
    1. Enjoy it! I owned 9 Corvettes over the years.
      I know how you feel. The car that finally won me over was a 1968 Fastback Barracuda with a 440 six pack.

      Reply
  25. To the gentleman who said he’d rather be driving a Porsche (which by the way is an overrated Volkswagen)… I do believe you’re reading the wrong posts…. Your import loser ass should be somewhere else!!!

    Reply
    1. Gentleman is correct. Yes, I would rather be driving the Porsche than my 1968 Barracuda Convertible, or my 2005 Lincoln Aviator, or even my 1981 Donzi Classic 18 which I do race against cars on the section of I-90 in Seattle that is a floating bridge. But if you think you are somehow more of a “winner” than people who love machinery and have the experience to know the differences between American Muscle than European precision, then go ahead. But your comment had nothing to do with driving cars, therefore I see you as a person who drives the car that your mother lends to you (if you’ve been good). I happen to love any car that hauls ass, but in terms of driving enjoyment, really, the Porsche is the most pleasurable vehicle I have driven.

      Reply
  26. Well I have the hellcat I love her more everyday yes last week I test drove a New Camaro its a lot smoother ride I guess because it’s lower to the ground but other than that it stops right there hellcat heavier but faster in my opinion everybody just trying out do dodge so just keep trying Ford Chevy one day you’ll be back on top

    Reply

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