2023 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Next year will be your last chance to buy a brand-new Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, as the current generation that first went on sale in the USA in 2015 is being discontinued. If there's a next one, it will be a more environmentally responsible car with some kind of electrification, but for now, there is good old combustion power under the hood of the drop-top 2023 Camaro, and it continues this year with minimal changes. There are six trims in the range and three engines - a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 275 horsepower and two naturally aspirated engines: a 335-hp 3.6-liter V6 or 455-hp 6.2-liter V8. The V8 is supercharged in the ZL1, but we review that Chevrolet Camaro Convertible trim separately.

The Camaro is starting to get old now but still drives and handles very well. There are no other convertible muscle cars around except for the Ford Mustang Convertible; convertibles such as the Audi TT Roadster and BMW 4 Series Convertible are more expensive and don't woo the same buyers. But with a next-gen Mustang Convertible around the corner, should you still consider the Camaro?

The price of a new Chevrolet Camaro Convertible starts at $32,900 this year. Next is the 2LT at $34,900, the 3LT at $38,900, the LT1 at $42,400, the 1SS at $45,900, and the 2SS at $50,900. These prices are for the trims in their base configurations, which in the case of the 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT means a six-speed manual transmission mated to the 275-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. These trim levels can be upgraded to a 335-hp 3.6-liter V6 for $1,595. The 2.0-liters can be had with an optional eight-speed automatic for $1,495, while a ten-speed automatic is available to the V6s for $1,595.

The LT and SS trims come with the 455-hp 6.2L V8 only and the six-speed manual transmission, while upgrading any of them to the ten-speed auto will cost you $1,595. Keep in mind that these prices for the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible are MSRP and exclude the $1,395 destination fee.

The Camaro Convertible still rides and handles extremely well, even after all of these years, and the credit goes to the excellent Alpha platform that also makes the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing such a hoot to drive. Responses are quick, body roll is only just noticeable, and the steering is smooth and accurate. It's less rigid and not as sharp as the coupe, but it's very good nonetheless and contains scuttle shake very well, even on rough tarmac. The four-cylinder turns in more keenly thanks to the lighter engine, and it pulls with a will, despite its diminutive capacity. It sounds terrible, though, and Chevrolet has made no attempt to engineer an even remotely pleasant engine note into the car. It's a shame because it's quick and kicks hard from low revs. The V6 sounds much better but loses out to the four-pot in bottom-end grunt, making up for it with a joyful sprint to the redline. The V8 is downright rapid and sounds glorious. In all cases, the manual gearbox is wonderfully interactive but quite a lot of work, with a heavy clutch action and deliberate, rather than delicate shift. The ten-speed auto takes the pain out of traffic and is seamless and quick, even holding the current gear when you lift off in the twisties to prevent hunting.

The Camaro Convertible is still a joy to drive, even after eight years on the market. It is properly sorted in terms of ride and handling, offers a selection of engines for every type of driver, and feels more alert and light-footed than the outgoing Mustang Convertible. It's a nimble, fun-to-drive convertible that blends a little MX-5 into the mix without any of the heft and sense of weight that a Challenger has. Downsides remain that tiny rear seat and trunk, so this is at most a realistic two-seater, while the hard cabin plastics do little to inspire. If you just want a comfortable boulevard cruiser, an automatic 2.0-liter will do a great job, but that anemic engine note is a true shame. If you're into tail-happy stick-shift V8 drifts accompanied by a bellowing roar, the Camaro Convertible will oblige too, in its LT and SS trims. Time is running out to secure your order.

There's a Camaro Convertible for every taste, so it's very much about what you're into. As we've mentioned, the 2.0-liter models with the automatic transmission make for effortless daily drivers that don't use a lot of gas, while a stick-shift V8 is an altogether more hardcore type of Camaro Convertible and perhaps best enjoyed in the stiffer coupe body. With the slick-shifting ten-speed automatic, the fully featured and rapid 2SS is hard to resist and can play both roles. For the perfect blend of comfort, features, and performance - and with an acceptable soundtrack - the mid-range 3LT V6 automatic is an excellent option. Regardless of your choice, you get a sweet-driving and fun-loving convertible that is a pleasure to drive, even at four-tenths.