Compare the2023 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2021 Subaru WRX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The Chevrolet Camaro has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The WRX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Camaro and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Camaro is safer than the Subaru WRX:

	Camaro	WRX
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	258	308
Neck Stress	212 lbs.	313 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Camaro is safer than the Subaru WRX:

	Camaro	WRX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	1 inches	1.1 inches
Hip Force	199 lbs.	443 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	65 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	14 inches
HIC	237	292
Spine Acceleration	42 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	771 lbs.	884 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Camaro is 1.8% less likely to roll over than the WRX.

The Chevrolet Camaro has a better fatality history. The Camaro was involved in fatal accidents at a rate 15% lower per vehicle registered than the WRX, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Warranty

The Camaro’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the WRX’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Camaro’s warranty.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Camaro’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the WRX’s camshafts. If the WRX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The battery on the Camaro is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Camaro’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The WRX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

Engine

The Camaro has more powerful engines than the WRX:

	Horsepower	Torque
Camaro 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
Camaro 3.6 DOHC V6	335 HP	284 lbs.-ft.
Camaro LT1/SS 6.2 V8	455 HP	455 lbs.-ft.
Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8	650 HP	650 lbs.-ft.
WRX 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	268 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
WRX STI 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	310 HP	290 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Camaro is faster than the Subaru WRX (manual transmissions tested):

	Camaro turbo 4 cyl.	Camaro V6	WRX 2.0	WRX STI
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	5 sec	5.7 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	13.7 sec	14.3 sec	n/a
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	101.7 MPH	96.1 MPH	n/a

As tested in Road and Track the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Subaru WRX 2.0 (manual transmissions tested):

	Camaro	WRX
Zero to 60 MPH	3.5 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	11.7 sec	13.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	124 MPH	99.5 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Chevrolet Camaro V6 is faster than the Subaru WRX 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	Camaro	WRX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	5.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.5 sec	14.4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	14.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104 MPH	99 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Subaru WRX 2.0 (automatics tested):

	Camaro	WRX
Zero to 60 MPH	3.4 sec	5.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	7.4 sec	14.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	3.7 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	11.5 sec	14.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	124 MPH	99 MPH
Top Speed	190 MPH	190 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Camaro gets better mileage than the WRX:

			MPG
Camaro
RWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/28 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/26 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	16 city/24 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/29 hwy
WRX
AWD	Manual	2.5 turbo flat-4	16 city/22 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo flat-4	18 city/24 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The WRX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Camaro uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The WRX requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Camaro has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the WRX (19 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Camaro has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The WRX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The Camaro (except LS/LT/LT1)’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The WRX doesn’t offer launch control.

The Chevrolet Camaro V8 manual has a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the car from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The WRX doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Camaro’s brake rotors are larger than those on the WRX:

	Camaro LS/LT	Camaro ZL1	WRX	WRX STI
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	15.35 inches	12.4 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	14.4 inches	11.3 inches	12.8 inches

The Camaro stops much shorter than the WRX:

	Camaro	WRX
80 to 0 MPH	192 feet	203 feet	Road and Track
70 to 0 MPH	137 feet	160 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	91 feet	112 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Camaro has larger standard tires than the WRX (245/50R18 vs. 235/45R17). The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the WRX (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. 245/40R18).

The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the WRX STI’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the WRX. The Camaro SS’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the WRX STI.

The Camaro has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The WRX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The WRX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Camaro offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The WRX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 6.4 inches longer than on the WRX (110.7 inches vs. 104.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camaro is 3 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the WRX.

The Camaro’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the WRX’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the Camaro more stable handling and braking.

The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe handles at 1.18 G’s, while the WRX STI Limited pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Camaro SS Convertible handles at .98 G’s, while the WRX pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The Camaro Coupe has .6 inches more front legroom and 2.4 inches more front hip room than the WRX.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Camaro (except LS/LT1), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The WRX doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Camaro (except LS/LT1)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The WRX doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Camaro’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The WRX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Camaro (except LS/LT1) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, turn signal and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The WRX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Camaro’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The WRX has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Camaro’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The WRX’s power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Camaro has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The WRX has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Premium/STI/Limited.

When the Camaro with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The WRX’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Camaro’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The WRX offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Camaro (except LS/LT1) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The WRX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Camaro’s optional (except LS/LT1) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The WRX doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Camaro (except LS/LT1) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Subaru WRX isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Recommendations

The Camaro was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 7 years. The WRX hasn’t been picked since 2003.

Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The WRX has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the Subaru WRX by 41% during 2020.