Compare the2023 BMW M4VS 2023 Chevrolet Camaro

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The M4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Camaro doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The M4 has standard Front Collision Mitigation, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Camaro offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The M4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Camaro doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M4 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Camaro doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M4 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Camaro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The M4’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Camaro doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The M4 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Camaro only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The M4 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Camaro’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M4 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Camaro and isn't available on the not available.

The M4’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Camaro doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M4 and the Camaro have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

Warranty

The M4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Camaro’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The M4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Camaro’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Camaro.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the M4 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Camaro.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the M4 has a standard 900-amp battery. The Camaro’s 700-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 5 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The M4 has more powerful engines than the Camaro:

	Horsepower	Torque
M4 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	473 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
M4 Competition 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	503 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
M4 CSL 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder	543 HP	479 lbs.-ft.
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.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M4 3.0 is faster than the Chevrolet Camaro (manual transmissions tested):

	M4	Camaro turbo 4 cyl.	Camaro V6
Zero to 30 MPH	1.5 sec	1.9 sec	1.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	3.8 sec	5.4 sec	5.5 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	5.9 sec	9.1 sec	n/a
Zero to 100 MPH	8.3 sec	15 sec	14.4 sec
Quarter Mile	12 sec	14.1 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	121 MPH	97 MPH	99 MPH
Top Speed	180 MPH	145 MPH	151 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the M4 Coupe gets better mileage than the Camaro:

			MPG
M4 Coupe
RWD	Manual	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
	Auto	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
	Auto	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/22 hwy
Camaro
RWD	Manual	6.2 supercharged V8	14 city/20 hwy
	Auto	6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the M4 Convertible gets better mileage than the Camaro:

			MPG
M4 Convertible
RWD	Manual	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
	Auto	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
	Auto	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	16 city/23 hwy
Camaro
RWD	Manual	6.2 supercharged V8	14 city/20 hwy
	Auto	6.2 supercharged V8	13 city/21 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the M4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Camaro doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the M4’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Camaro doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Drivetrain

All wheel drive, available in the M4, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Chevrolet Camaro is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the M4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Camaro:

	M4	M4 CCB	Camaro LS/LT	Camaro ZL1
Front Rotors	15 inches	15.7 inches	12.6 inches	15.35 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	15 inches	12.4 inches	14.4 inches

The M4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Camaro LS/LT are solid, not vented.

The M4 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Camaro doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M4 stops much shorter than the Camaro:

	M4	Camaro
70 to 0 MPH	146 feet	170 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the M4 has larger tires than the Camaro (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. 245/50R18).

The M4’s standard 275/40R18 front and 285/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Camaro’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M4 has standard 19-inch rear wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Camaro.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M4’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Camaro (112.5 inches vs. 110.7 inches).

The M4 Coupe handles at 1.03 G’s, while the Camaro RS Coupe pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the M4 has standard flush composite headlights. The Camaro has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The M4’s standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The Camaro doesn’t offer a retractable hardtop.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the M4 Coupe is quieter than the Camaro SS Coupe:

	M4	Camaro
At idle	45 dB	55 dB
Full-Throttle	83 dB	94 dB
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	72 dB

Passenger Space

The M4 Coupe has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 4.8 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Camaro Coupe.

The M4 Convertible has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the Camaro Convertible.

Cargo Capacity

The M4 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the Camaro Coupe (12 vs. 9.1 cubic feet).

The M4 Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the Camaro Convertible (10.6 vs. 7.3 cubic feet).

The M4’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camaro Convertible/ZL1 1LE doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The M4 Coupe’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Camaro Coupe’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M4 offers cargo security. The Camaro’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the M4’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The M4 also offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Camaro doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the M4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Camaro can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Both the M4 and Camaro have a standard remote lowering convertible top; however, in case of a sudden change of weather, the M4 has a standard remote convertible roof that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. The Camaro doesn’t offer a remote closing roof, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

The M4 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Camaro doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The M4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Camaro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the M4 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Camaro doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the M4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Camaro doesn’t offer cornering lights. The M4 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The M4’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Camaro and aren’t offered on the Camaro LS/LT1.

The M4 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Camaro.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the M4 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Camaro doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the M4 Competition offers an optional Active Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Camaro doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The M4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Camaro doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The M3/M4 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 13 of the last 26 years. The Camaro hasn’t been picked since 2013.