Chevrolet Camaro Gas Mileage

The Chevrolet Camaro’s long-awaited comeback in the 2010 model year brought a relatively fuel-efficient V6 engine among with the tire-smoking V8s. Throughout the history of Chevy’s pony car, the entry-level Camaro’s gas mileage ratings were an important part of the marketing mix. While many enthusiasts only remember the V8 engines, six cylinder Camaros have always been popular, dating back to the earliest days. Throw on a set of chrome rims and you could cruise the boulevard with coolness on a fraction of the gas consumed by the boy racers.

Camaro concept

Chevy went so far in the early-to-mid eighties as to bolt a four cylinder engine under the Camaro’s hood. 2.5 liter Iron Duke equipped 1982 to 1986 entry level models were the undisputed Camaro gas mileage champs of all time (never mind their overly underwhelming performance).

Gas mileage ratings peaked with the 1983 2.5 liter five-speed manual Camaro at a remarkable 42 miles per gallon highway. (Most likely on a long steep downhill run with a considerable tailwind while drafting a tractor trailer under optimal humidity, temperature, and time/space vortex.)

Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t be so harsh.

I can only speak from personal experience with one of these beasts.

1982 Chevrolet Camaro

MPG-o-Trivia: There was an Iron Duke 82 Camaro sitting in our driveway twenty-five years ago. I’m not going to doubt the official gas mileage figures, because I don’t recall that the car had difficulty hitting the stated numbers … but I distinctly recall that it had a tough time getting out of its own way, (putting it in the nicest possible terms). Time Magazine brazenly called the 1982 Camaro Iron Duke one of the 50 Worst Cars of All Time. (Hey, it wasn’t that bad. It was solidly built, but pokey.)

So what does this portend for the possibility of an even more fuel-efficient high-performance Camaro down the road? Will the 260 horsepower turbo four from the Cobalt SS find its way under the new Camaro’s hood? Or should we go for broke and pin our hopes on GM’s new compact European V6 turbo diesel with an estimated 250 horsepower and 400 foot pounds of torque?


Chevrolet Camaro Gas Mileage: 1978-2010

Year Manf. Model Engine Disp. Fuel Trans. City Hwy
2010 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.6 liter R (S6) Auto 18 29
2010 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.6 liter R (M6) Manual 17 29
2010 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 6.2 liter R (M6) Manual 16 24
2010 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 6.2 liter R (S6) Auto 16 25
2002 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 30
2002 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 19 28
2002 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 18 25
2002 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (M5) Manual 19 31
2001 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 18 26
2001 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (M5) Manual 19 31
2001 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 31
2001 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 19 28
2000 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 29
2000 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (M5) Manual 19 30
2000 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 25
2000 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 18 27
1999 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 29
1999 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (M5) Manual 19 30
1999 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 19 28
1999 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 24
1998 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 25
1998 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (M5) Manual 19 30
1998 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 18 27
1998 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 29
1997 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (M5) Manual 19 30
1997 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 29
1997 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 16 27
1997 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 25
1996 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter R (L4) Auto 17 25
1996 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (M5) Manual 19 30
1996 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter R (M6) Manual 16 27
1996 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 29
1995 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.4 liter R (M5) Manual 19 28
1995 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 28
1995 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 17 26
1995 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 25
1995 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.4 liter R (L4) Auto 19 28
1994 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.4 liter R (M5) Manual 19 28
1994 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 24
1994 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 17 26
1994 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.4 liter R (L4) Auto 19 28
1993 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (M6) Manual 17 25
1993 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 24
1993 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.4 liter R (M5) Manual 19 28
1993 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.4 liter R (L4) Auto 19 28
1992 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 25
1992 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 17 26
1992 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (M5) Manual 16 26
1992 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 26
1992 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.1 liter R (M5) Manual 17 27
1992 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.1 liter R (L4) Auto 18 27
1992 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (L4) Auto 16 25
1991 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 26
1991 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 16 24
1991 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 17 26
1991 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (M5) Manual 16 26
1991 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (L4) Auto 17 24
1991 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.1 liter R (M5) Manual 17 27
1991 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.1 liter R (L4) Auto 18 27
1990 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.1 liter R (M5) Manual 16 26
1990 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.1 liter R (L4) Auto 18 27
1990 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 26
1990 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 16 24
1990 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 17 25
1990 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (L4) Auto 17 24
1990 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (M5) Manual 16 26
1989 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 27
1989 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (L4) Auto 16 25
1989 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 26
1989 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 17 25
1989 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (M5) Manual 17 26
1989 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 17 25
1989 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (M5) Manual 18 27
1988 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter P (L4) Auto 16 25
1988 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (M5) Manual 16 26
1988 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 16 25
1988 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter P (L4) Auto 17 25
1988 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 26
1988 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 27
1988 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (M5) Manual 17 27
1987 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 25
1987 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 27
1987 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (M5) Manual 17 26
1987 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 24
1987 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter R (L4) Auto 16 25
1987 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 16 26
1987 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 16 25
1986 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 25
1986 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (L4) Auto 19 27
1986 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter R (M5) Manual 23 32
1986 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 16 26
1986 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 17 25
1986 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (M5) Manual 17 26
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 16 22
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 15 24
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 16 22
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (L4) Auto 18 27
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter R (M5) Manual 22 33
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 16 22
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (L4) Auto 16 22
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (M5) Manual 18 27
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (L4) Auto 18 26
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter R (M5) Manual 22 33
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter R (M5) Manual 15 24
1985 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter R (M5) Manual 16 26
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M5) Manual 16 27
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A4) Auto 18 29
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (M5) Manual 20 31
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (A4) Auto 20 34
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (A4) Auto 24 38
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M4) Manual 24 36
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M5) Manual 23 40
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (A4) Auto 20 34
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (M5) Manual 20 31
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A4) Auto 18 29
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M5) Manual 16 28
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (A4) Auto 24 38
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M4) Manual 24 36
1984 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M5) Manual 23 40
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M4) Manual 24 36
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A4) Auto 15 28
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (A3) Auto 23 35
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (A4) Auto 24 38
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M5) Manual 24 38
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M5) Manual 16 26
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A4) Auto 18 28
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (M5) Manual 19 32
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (A3) Auto 19 29
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (A4) Auto 20 34
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (M5) Manual 20 32
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A4) Auto 17 28
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M5) Manual 16 26
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A4) Auto 16 27
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M5) Manual 26 42
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (A3) Auto 23 35
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (A4) Auto 24 38
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M4) Manual 24 36
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M5) Manual 24 38
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (A3) Auto 19 29
1983 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (A4) Auto 19 34
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (A3) Auto 23 35
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M4) Manual 24 34
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 15 25
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M4) Manual 16 24
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (A3) Auto 20 32
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (M4) Manual 20 32
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 17 23
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M4) Manual 16 24
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 16 24
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M4) Manual 24 34
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (A3) Auto 23 35
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 4 cylinder 2.5 liter (M4) Manual 24 35
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 2.8 liter (A3) Auto 19 31
1982 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 17 24
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter (A3) Auto 20 29
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter (A3) Auto 15 22
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter (A3) Auto 19 26
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter (M3) Manual 20 28
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 4.4 liter (A3) Auto 18 26
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 16 23
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M4) Manual 16 26
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter (A3) Auto 16 21
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 16 23
1981 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M4) Manual 15 24
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter (A3) Auto 14 17
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 14 19
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter (M4) Manual 14 21
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M4) Manual 16 24
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 17 25
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 4.4 liter (A3) Auto 16 25
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter (M3) Manual 20 26
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter (A3) Auto 19 26
1980 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 3.8 liter (A3) Auto 19 26
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 16 21
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 4.1 liter (A3) Auto 16 24
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter (A3) Auto 13 17
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 4.1 liter (M3) Manual 18 27
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (M4) Manual 15 21
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter (A3) Auto 16 21
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.7 liter (M4) Manual 13 19
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder 4.1 liter (A3) Auto 15 19
1979 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder 5.0 liter (A3) Auto 13 19
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder liter 18 27
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder liter 13 19
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder liter 13 18
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder liter 15 20
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder liter 15 21
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 6 cylinder liter 17 24
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder liter 14 19
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder liter 15 21
1978 Chevrolet Camaro 8 cylinder liter 16 22

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11 thoughts on “Chevrolet Camaro Gas Mileage”

  1. i have a 1984 camaro z28 adn ill tell you what…it gets up and goes with the 305 with a few minor upgrades…like an air filter system and duel exaust

  2. My wife ordered the 2.5 liter, 5-speed in her ’83 Rally Sport, and we never regretted it. Got 34 mpg running 70 on the interstate-with the air on! It wouldn’t burn the tires, but would chirp them if revved a bit. Weak point was the factory clutch disc. Dealer installed two(all 3 disintegrated w/less than 20k on them) before changing it myself to a “heavy-duty” aftermarket, then no more. Traded it in ’95 on a Monte Carlo, with 198,000 miles on it, and a blown siamesed intake/exhaust gasket(another gremlin in the 2.5’s). Dealer service was crap-damaged something else every time they worked on it, ’till we threatened a law suit.

  3. my 1984 camaro had a 305 with rochester TB with weind intake and i managed 8.4L/100km on the highway doin 100km/hr. that works out to somewhere just over 30mpg. amazing

  4. wow, this is an excellent article! i will definately remember this for future reference. thank you for taking the time to put this stuff together!

  5. I had a 1984 Camaro that was fast and sipped gas at 20mpg in the city and nearly 25 on the highway. This malarkey about 34 mpg is nonsense. But, one writer was right. The transmission sucked.

  6. I’ve owned two: a 1986 RS and an 89, both 305/700R4, and I was able to routinely beat 30mpg on the highway with some city mixed in.

  7. ok im seeing alot in here on the 1985 camaros but one thing i own one now it needs some work yes but what i want to know how would i figure a 200 mile trip at gas prices now in my car its a beaut and just installed a 1600 watt system ik tht dont have anything to do with gas but still need to know how much i need to save up

  8. I bought a ’93 Z28 new, still own it and after it was broken in gets fantastic highway mileage, 38-40. Super car.

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