Chevy Camaro ZL1 Faces Dodge Challenger Hellcat In Head2Head: Video
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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.
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.
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.
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First thing I noticed was how much the two cars are starting to look alike. Copying each other a compliment ?
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……..
Come on people. When you own either of these fine cars, the track is where we open them up for any sane person.
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
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.
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!!!
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.
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