We spent the last week driving a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE Turbo, and while we were impressed by the car’s performance at the track – especially considering its sales price – we were even more satisfied with its real-world fuel economy.
Now, for those not in the know, the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE Turbo is powered by GM’s turbocharged 2.0L I-4 LTG engine pumping out 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission available with the 1LE track handling package is a six-speed manual. Meanwhile, the 1LEÂ package adds a full battalion of performance upgrades such as a limited-slip differential, Brembo 4-piston brakes, an upgraded suspension along with bigger wheels and tires.
Visually, the 1LE features a satin black hood, blacked-out front lip and rear spoilers, and 20-inch forged-aluminum wheels. Our tester was finished in the Riverside Blue Metallic exterior color and fitted with the RS appearance package, to boot.
On the road, the turbo engine provides a good dose of low-end torque, kicking in at 3,000 rpm, with max power peaking at 5,600 rpm. This low to mid-range character means it’s easy to upshift to a higher gear for optimal gas mileage.
During our time with the car on hot and humid summer days running on premium 92 octane gasoline, the best fuel consumption rating we recorded during city driving was 24.4 mpg. On the highway, with an average speed of 68 mph, the car returned an impressive 31.7 mpg. Our total average combined over a 250 mile run was 26 mpg.
Considering the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE Turbo returns comparable performance to that of a Nissan 370Z while outrunning pretty much all hot hatchbacks at the track, we reckon these numbers are rather impressive. Sold at just under $35,000, the Camaro 1LE Turbo really is a budget-minded sports car, and that’s the way we like it.
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Comments
I’ll bet the automatic does even better.
My HHR SS LNF got 25-26 City and 31-32 highway with an automatic. That included bonzi runs up on ramps
MPG was never a complaint. It bested the sticker numbers easily.
Good news about the good fuel economy.
Back to Camaro-related aspects, one thing I like (a lot) about mine (V6-6MT) is the instant acceleration when I press the gas pedal at nearly any speed. I tend to take it for granted, until I rent another car for a few days while traveling, and then get back in the Camaro at the airport and head home, and think “man, I love my Camaro”. Also, the Borla axle-back system on my V6 sounds semi-exotic to my ears, and always brings a smile at high rpm’s.
Everything in print looks awesome about the 2.0 1LE. But, does it have these qualities? Five years from now, will you be loving the car, or looking to trade? Does the acceleration feel direct when the turbo is spun up? Would it sound good with the available Borla system? Does it sound good stock?
This is the kind of stupid comment that keeps me coming back to GMA. Imagine, a V6 Camaro owner looking down on an I4 Camaro. Ridiculous. Also, the I4 makes more torque (although no denying the 6 sounds better)
This is an awesome interpretation of the motivation behind my post. Maybe I should have worded my questions better.
I’m definitely not looking down on the 2.0T, but considering it. If an expended 1st stage booster hits my car this afternoon, the 2.0T 1LE is near the top of my list. To get nearly the same torque and hp numbers with the lighter weight seems like a no-brainer, especially for the cost. And with 1LE upgrades.
So, I guess the power/weight side would probably work out to be more driveable than the V6 in the daily commute. Can it sound good also? Is there potential? If you go with a full muffler delete from the cat-back, is it good, like on the Fiat 500 Abarth, or is all of that a waste of effort/thought/time, and just stick with stock and call it good?
But, those questions were real questions, and not rhetorical questions in some attempt to socially position my V6 above a 2.0. I know the SS 1LE would definitely make me happy, but I’m not in that tax bracket right now.
Apologies to any 2.0T drivers that might have taken offense.
Same 2018 vehicle and I love the factory NPP exhaust. And paying for regular gas over premium is a consideration.
“The Baby Camaro”? Do they come in different sizes? Does GMLackOf Authority have an editor?