2010 Chevy Camaro: Form Over Function

I wholeheartedly agree about giving props to GM for the unique controls, but this is an example of "form" I can't get behind; that center stack looks like a cheap nineties boombox mated with a half-assed Star Wars character.

James, very funny comment on the gloves-- you could be the next P J O'Rourke.

Having driven my nephew's 2SS a half dozen times, I have to say that the center stack controls are definitely not intuitive and are difficult to operate.

Even though we live in the Northeast, the gloves will not be a problem because my nephew takes the Camaro off the road before the snow flies.

Aside: The gorgeous body and the engine certainly help to compensate for the genuine gaffs.

I will take clean and cookie cutter over cluttered and "orignal" anyday

More like they are "fixing" what's not broken to begin with. The G8 has a decent, simple interior design:

http://cars.about.com/od/pontiac/ig/2009-Pontiac-G8-GXP-photos/2009-Pontiac-G8-GXP-dashboard.-43L.htm

A bit dull, maybe. But at least it doesn't look stupid like the Camaro's.

100% NOT feeling this design and a refresh can't come soon enough. GM is capable of better designs than this (I LOVE the interior of my STS).

Not sure why you are knocking the Chrysler Nav system, it get's pretty good reviews for the age of it, I rented a 300C with that Nav and found it very user friendly. As for the Camaro I'm sure you would get use to where the controls are but I would rather have the interior of the Mustang or Challenger anyday.

"Aside: The gorgeous body and the engine certainly help to compensate for the genuine gaffs."

LensCrafters is having a sale this week.

And yes, the center stack looks like the sand people of Tantooine. It look like total garbage, no matter how many they sell.

"I will take clean and cookie cutter over cluttered and "orignal" anyday"

How exactly is the center stack cluttered if you ignore the 4 pack gauges? It should take less than 2 minutes to figure out how to work everything, it doesnt even have auto AC. Is this cluttered compared to the Accord or TSX or TL? There arne't even many buttons on the dash.

The group think is sad. Just by coincidence everyone who posts here regularly has the EXACT same opinion on this car. Could that be because said opinions were dictated by the automotive "experts" who have written so many negative things about this interior? To be honest I don't really find it to be ugly or hard to understand. I'm not crazy about the gauges and steering wheel but the center stack by itself looks fine. As reswick said, its far more unique and tailored to the car than what you find in the Mustang or Challenger.

I've been in numerous G8s and camaros and the Camaro's interior looks and feels better up close. The G8 had a more generic and palatable design but the plastics and switchgear werent up to par. In the Camaro every button, knob and stalk feels robust and operates with precision.

http://www.chevrolet.com/tools/comparator/compareVehiclePhoto.do?year=2011&pvc=19984&comparisonVehicles=323819~316972~318774&aS3_LanguageCode=7&aS3_ClientID=camaro

I dont know if that link will work but its the photo comparison of the camaro and its peers. Viewed side by side its hard to understand what all the hype is about. The interior doesnt really seem to be lower quality or worse looking than the other 3 cars.

"Having driven my nephew's 2SS a half dozen times, I have to say that the center stack controls are definitely not intuitive and are difficult to operate."

What specifically is hard to operate? The manual climate controls are self explanatory and the top row of buttons controls presets and stereo functions. Just by looking at the pic it seems very straightforward to me, its not like you need to crack the manual to figure out how to turn up the radio like in a German car.

BTW, earlier some folks were raving about how the 370Z interior was far superior. Check out the picture comparisons on the chevy site and look at the Nissan interior (no nav on featured model) and see if you still agree. There are some nice touches like the stitching around the center console but overall its just a lot of black plastic and the standard radio looks terribly dated compared to the multi line LCD display in the Camaro. And then you have the odd looking gauges and horrible orange backlighting.

I appreciate the fact that they created a unique design, but it's unfortunate that they botched it.

"The interior doesnt really seem to be lower quality or worse looking than the other 3 cars. "

Are you so blind as to not see how stupid and ugly it really is? I am sure it is made just fine....that is not the point. The point is that it is designed to be visually different which is cool but it was done so badly...just like the wheel and gearshift. Just give up on this point. It is a bad job, no matter how many they sell.

I looked at those comparo pics you provided (on Chevy's own site, BTW) and the Camaro's HVAC controls are definitely comparatively cluttered. Mostly though, it's just an ugly design, but that's an opinion. It looks dated to me, like a holdover from the GM of the eighties/nineties or, as I mentioned, a cheap "Ghetto Blaster"; but opinions, as they say, are a lot like sphincters...

"The group think is sad. Just by coincidence everyone who posts here regularly has the EXACT same opinion on this car. Could that be because said opinions were dictated by the automotive "experts" who have written so many negative things about this interior? To be honest I don't really find it to be ugly or hard to understand. I'm not crazy about the gauges and steering wheel but the center stack by itself looks fine. As reswick said, its far more unique and tailored to the car than what you find in the Mustang or Challenger."

I formed MY opinion when I saw the initial spy shots of the interior. I have driven a couple of Camaro's and while everything was tight it is not an attractive design. I think the Challenger is plain but it is soft to the touch and high quality, not hard plastics and strange shapes.

@bodyblue: You could be right-- I have been wearing eye glasses for 63 years.

@1487: Gee, don't I get any credit for praising the engine and body?

bodyblue - 1487 just thinks it's cool to label everyone as "group think" and go against that. Personally I wouldn't stand looking at that POS console on a daily basis.

"How exactly is the center stack cluttered if you ignore the 4 pack gauges?"

That makes as much sense as "How exactly is Condoleezza Rice unattractive if you ignore the face?"
Those 2 big circular objects are as pleasing to the eyes as 2 black moles with hair sticking out on a person's neck.

I mentioned this in a previous post once but I'll say it again; directly underneath the hazard lights and CD slot is the master switch to lock/unlock the doors and a similar set up can be found in the Terrain and Equonix.

I had the Equonix as a renetal for a few days and I don't like that button placement. It most intuitive to have those controls placed on the driver side door where they are in most cars. Back in the day my 03 Saturn SL2 had the power window switchgear between the driver and passenger seats and EVERY time a passenger got who wasn't familar wth that set up they always asked me if the window was broke. Unfortunately the G8 so dear to everyone's heart had the same set up.

"Are you so blind as to not see how stupid and ugly it really is? I am sure it is made just fine....that is not the point. The point is that it is designed to be visually different which is cool but it was done so badly...just like the wheel and gearshift. Just give up on this point. It is a bad job, no matter how many they sell."

One day you will grow up and realize that your opinion of the interior is just that, an opinion. Saying "I dont care how many they sell its a bad job" sounds positively stupid. You are saying the interior is ugly as if its a FACT when its NOT a fact and the sales figures indicate that many American buyers either LIKE or DONT OBJECT to the interior. Just for the record you say the exterior is lacking as well which pretty much shows how out of touch with reality you really are. You have ZERO credibility when it comes to critiquing this or any other GM vehicle based on the fact that you have made it clear that you hate the company and its products. If the Camaro's interior looked like the XJ'si interior you would be making the same statements. I might take you somewhat seriously if you didnt spend time lavishing praise on the blocky, cookie cutter parts bin interior of the Mustang. I like the Mustang overall but its interior is dull and unoriginal.

"I think the Challenger is plain but it is soft to the touch and high quality, not hard plastics and strange shapes. "

I really dont see what's so strange about the interior. What you seem to be saying is you would rather see the Camaro share an interior with the Impala or Malibu than have a unique design. The radio display is shared with all the new GM models, its just hte buttons are unique. The HVAC controls are unique and I don't really find them to be attractive or horrendous looking, they're just simple manual controls.

"That makes as much sense as "How exactly is Condoleezza Rice unattractive if you ignore the face?"
Those 2 big circular objects are as pleasing to the eyes as 2 black moles with hair sticking out on a person's neck. "

Someone tell Einstein that the 4 pack gauges are OPTIONS on the Camaro which is my point. If you don't like them you can skip them and they are not CONTROLS. The point of criticizing a console for being cluttered is that there are too many buttons to easily figure out what controls what. The 4 pack gauges aren't to be touched, they are just displays.

"I had the Equonix as a renetal for a few days and I don't like that button placement. It most intuitive to have those controls placed on the driver side door where they are in most cars."

Who hits the lock button? 95% of the time I lock my doors with the fob as do most owners. You will find European cars with the button in the center as well. I've not been able to figure out why some people are so bent out of shape over the placement of a lock button that rarely gets used.

"Who hits the lock button? 95% of the time I lock my doors with the fob as do most owners."

I RARELY use the key fob to unlock or lock my doors because I've been driving and owning cars long before they were commonplace. So to someone who is in the habit of using the actual door lock this design is intuitive and yes; that puts me in the %5 minority.

"Someone tell Einstein that the 4 pack gauges are OPTIONS on the Camaro which is my point. If you don't like them you can skip them and they are not CONTROLS. The point of criticizing a console for being cluttered is that there are too many buttons to easily figure out what controls what. The 4 pack gauges aren't to be touched, they are just displays. "

By optional you mean if you want bluetooth (which comes standard in a $16k Ford Focus by the way) in your Camaro, you must upgrade to the 2LT/2SS package and stare at the gauges?

And by your logic, anything that aren't controls with buttons do not contribute to cluttering. Therefore, if someone designs a car with 15 coin pockets in the center console, that center console would not be considered cluttered?

"Who hits the lock button? 95% of the time I lock my doors with the fob as do most owners. You will find European cars with the button in the center as well. I've not been able to figure out why some people are so bent out of shape over the placement of a lock button that rarely gets used. "

Because your driving habits automatically represent the driving habits of "most owners", and since some European cars have door locks in the center console, that makes it OK as well. And half_ton is merely stating his opinion (and he can easily claim that his habits represent "most owners" as well, but I assume he's not daft enough to do that), not bent out of shape.

"I might take you somewhat seriously if you didnt spend time lavishing praise on the blocky, cookie cutter parts bin interior of the Mustang. I like the Mustang overall but its interior is dull and unoriginal. "

Please show in ANY post I have written where I have "lavished praise" on the Mustang interior?? Like always you are a liar and cant prove any of your fanatical statements. So do you really imply that the interior of the Shelby 500 is "dull"? Talk about losing credibility. The only cookie cutter parts of the Mustang is the radio...and maybe the easy to use climate dials. Remember I actually OWNED a Mustang...unlike you who do not own any of the cars you talk about. Also cookie cutter components make it easy to keep up with evolving tech...that means that a lot of money will have to be spent on the Camaro interior to update it.

"You are saying the interior is ugly as if its a FACT when its NOT"

Yes, it is.....if it was beautiful it would be universally praised as such. Let me explain this slowly for you. Kathy Ireland is a beautiful woman, some may not think she is the best looking woman but they recognize the FACT that she is beautiful. A Klingon is ugly by most accounts, despite the many that think they are interesting and different. BUT you just cant stand the fact that most car reviewers and car mags think it is ugly.....AND you think it is again, you paranoid nut, a grand plan to demonize GM and the Camaro. I dont like the Camaro because it is hideous inside and out, it is too fat and I think GM quality is not as good as Ford and Asian brands. I have always hated Camaros, but really liked Firebirds, but Pontiac is dead so too bad.

I've always liked the 5th gen Camaro interior since I first saw it in the concept. And I had the opportunity to drive one for a few days not too long ago. I found it very easy to use without consulting the manual, and I got pretty involved - hooked my iPhone 3G into the USB for music and into the Bluetooth for handsfree phone, set radio station presets, etc... The center stack's Camaro specific design makes it look and feel more special and it still manages to be easy to use with a nice feel to each button press and knob twist. My only complaint was that the Camaro I drove, a rental car with 12,000 miles, had a slightly foggy display - I suspect from harsh cleaners. Didn't make it difficult to read, but it made me want to find some plastic polish. The 4 gauge pack isn't the easiest thing in the world to read - I hardly ever looked at it while driving. But it looks super cool, and along with the ambient lighting, helps complete the interior. The door lock button is no problem for me, and I daily drive either a euro car with a similarly located lock button or a GM car with a door panel located lock button.

the only plus for the camero in my book is that its very cheap for how good it looks. which is also why i hate it. That said, you can really tell where it looks cheap...ALL over the inside. unique or not, its still terrible, aka, this is what the Honda Crosstour looks like as an interior.

The side-by-side comparison tool is really useful. I personally like the Challenger interior the most.

I think the Camaro's unique controls are better then the awful ones that Ford has been using for years. I'd take the unique-factor over the bland and MAYBE easier to use. Then again, I drove a MINI, which is a vehicle many people think has one of the worst interior designs ever, haha. So maybe my opinion doesn't mean much.

I have only sat in the Camaro and current Mustang, but the Mustang seemed supereior in every way except that the radio head unit is not original. The Mustang's interior (and exterior for that matter) look much better IMO. I cannot comment on Challenger as I have not been in one yet.

"I really dont see what's so strange about the interior. What you seem to be saying is you would rather see the Camaro share an interior with the Impala or Malibu than have a unique design. The radio display is shared with all the new GM models, its just hte buttons are unique. The HVAC controls are unique and I don't really find them to be attractive or horrendous looking, they're just simple manual controls."

The part that I don't think you're getting, 1487, is that (most) people criticizing the interior don't have a problem with the fact that its different. Its just that what's the point of it being different if it isn't very intuitive??? Take for example the MINI's interior. Yeah, I think that a big center speedo looks cool, but I don't want to look to the right just to check my speed. Same idea. Sure you may think the Camaro's interior looks cool (I personally think its a fail), and it may be high quality (I haven't sat in a production model so I can't say), but if most people can't figure out the climate control settings, they're not going to like it! i don't have a problem with form following function. The Jag's interior is a great example. It's different (and in my opinion cool), but the important thing is the layout is as intuitive as a BMW 5 series (iDrive notwithstanding). Its flashy, different, but it works. If the Jag's interior would've been in a GM car, I would've applauded it. GM makes some good interiors (CTS, Malibu). This just isn't as good as them.

Everyone calm down. I will give you my experience as i am an owner of a 2010 Camaro SS. I have the experience of driving it quite often.

1. I have very big hands and have no problems pressing all of the buttons. All of the buttons are plenty big, easy to read, and easy to find without looking. Every car has a learning curve of where the button locations are. I drive my friends acura tl quite often and always have a hard time finding buttons for everything at first. After a little bit i get used to it.

2. I love the interior in my camaro. It is completely different and thats what you want in a car like this. Material quality is perfect. Everything i put my hands on is soft touched. The armrests are soft, the steering wheel is leather, the shift knob is leather, all buttons have good feel, and all knobs are soft touched. I have had the car over a year and there is not one single rattle, squeak, pop, etc in my interior. As quiet as the day i got it. I dont need to be feeling up my dash, and when i do there is nothing wrong. The texture is pleasing the finish is pleasing, and it looks like it will hold up for a long time.

3. That picture from above makes it look more cluttered than it is. Every button is arm level when you reach out and in the perfect location.

4. Since i have owned the car i have used the unlock/lock button once. When you turn the car off the doors unlock. If by chance the car has been locked and it is running, to get out all you have to do is pull the door handle once. This unlocks the door, then one more pull and the door opens.

5. Again i want to point out that fit and finish on this interior is very good and materials are up to par. I have been in numerous new mustangs and nothing there sticks out as being better material. This is not a mercedes,bmw, or cadillac. I was able to get a 426hp muscle car for 31k. I dont expect the camaro interior to be as good as a 50k luxury car, but theres nothing that would disapoint you.

6. I find the steering wheel very comfortable. The only thing i would change is make it slightly smaller in diameter. Most automobile steering wheels are too big.

7. My car is very comfortable, comfortable seats, soft touch where my hands go, fast, quiet, no interior rattles, very low wind noise, low tire noise, only thing you hear is a v8 growl and in my case a supercharger wine. About a month ago i added an edelbrock E-force supercharger. Also i have no problems with outward vision. I see everything.

8. Drive the car for a couple of days you will fall in love

"Material quality is perfect."

Really? In a 31K Chevy......why in the world would I buy a Rolls Royce then?

Folks who spend their hard earned money on a car rarely point out its faults in public. They seem to think it makes them look bad for buying the car they did....which is of course silly.

Bodyblue,

Every car has faults. Exactly material quality is perfect for a 31k 426hp muscle car. Its not worse than the materials used in the challenger or the mustang. You take one statement and take it out of context, and ignore everything else i wrote. I think you should become a politician. I think i also pointed out i dont expect the interior quality to be the same as a bmw, or mercedes, or cadillac. For the performance and fun this car gives for its price, there is nothing wrong with the interior or material choice.

I have no problems pointing out the faults of my car.

1. It is a little heavy. it could be lighter.
2. It could have larger windows, but like pointed before i have no problems seeing out. The windows are a compromise, but to keep the look of the car its worth it.
3. The shifter should have a shorter throw. Will be fixed shortly on my car
4. The factory exhaust is not loud enough. WIll also be fixed shortly on my car
5. The backseat is not useful for carrying people.
6. This car will not go through snow.
7. Gm should have put leather inserts on the door panels. Mine are cloth so they are much better than the plastic ones edmunds has.
8. Needs a bigger trunk opening, but does hold my golf clubs so im happy.

Would this be the perfect daily driver in the midwest snow belt where I live. Definately not, but this is not my daily driver, this is my weekend fun car. Everytime i drive it, it puts a big smile on my face and thats what matters. It doesn't matter if someone else loves my car or someone else hates my car. I love it. There is no perfect car.

I have no problems posting faults about a car, but this car has a lot more positives than faults.

bodyblue, i know your not a chevy guy, and you dont like the camaro, and thats fine with me. I love it.

I read that Fisher-Price is looking to sue GM for stealing its interior design ideas.

"Because your driving habits automatically represent the driving habits of "most owners", and since some European cars have door locks in the center console, that makes it OK as well. And half_ton is merely stating his opinion (and he can easily claim that his habits represent "most owners" as well, but I assume he's not daft enough to do that), not bent out of shape. "

so in the era of keyless entry you are honestly suggesting that most people lock and unlock their doors manually? Not only is that total BS but I fail to see how hitting a center button is difficult or cumbersome. Its one of the most minor design details on this or any car. It should take you all of a week to get used to the position of the button- or you can just use the damn key fob like everyone else. I too have been around since the days of manual locking but I'm not in a rush to get back to those days.

"Because your driving habits automatically represent the driving habits of "most owners", and since some European cars have door locks in the center console, that makes it OK as well. And half_ton is merely stating his opinion (and he can easily claim that his habits represent "most owners" as well, but I assume he's not daft enough to do that), not bent out of shape. "

Um, that was my point. The center stack is shared with the Fusion. The overall design isn't unique to the car and if you looked at the interior pics you would have no idea which Ford you were looking at unless you saw the steering wheel and gauges. You have made it clear in previous posts that you find the Mustang to be head and shoulders above the Camaro in very single way including interior design and quality. The Mustang has some soft touch surfaces (optional) including the upper dash but overall the interior is no more exciting or well made than the Camaro's interior.

"Let me explain this slowly for you. Kathy Ireland is a beautiful woman, some may not think she is the best looking woman but they recognize the FACT that she is beautiful. A Klingon is ugly by most accounts, despite the many that think they are interesting and different. BUT you just cant stand the fact that most car reviewers and car mags think it is ugly.....AND you think it is again, you paranoid nut, a grand plan to demonize GM and the Camaro. "

C&D preferred the Camaro's interior to the Mustang's and called the base Mustang interior cheap and dull. When the Camaro was first tested most comments on the interior were positive. Owners seem to like the interior. There is nothing supporting this nonsense about there being a consensus on the interior. YOUR opinion doesn't represent a consensus. And even if it did you have yet to explain why the Camaro is outselling the Mustang and its far superior interior. You have come up with one excuse after another to attemtp to dismiss the sales success of the Camaro because you are too arrogant to admit that your views don't represent those of potential coupe buyers. You have been saying for MONTHS that the car is a failure from almost every aspect but the sales and lack of incentives say the total opposite. Fors is now running lease deals on the 2011 Mustang- haven't seen any such deals on the Camaro yet.

"I have always hated Camaros,"

Enough said- now stop pretending to offer thoughtful or credible opinions on the car. I already said nothing you say about this or any GM car can be taken seriously.

"Then again, I drove a MINI, which is a vehicle many people think has one of the worst interior designs ever, haha. So maybe my opinion doesn't mean much."

Its interesting that you bring up the Mini which also has a retro inspired and somewhat odd interior because that car doesn't get half the criticism of the Camaro for it's interior. I'd argue the Mini's interior is less ergonomic and less visually appealing than the Chevy's but the Mini is a media darling so it gets a free pass.

"Its just that what's the point of it being different if it isn't very intuitive??? "

Can you please explain to me what you cant figure out in the interior. I am baffled as to why you and others are claiming the controls are hard to decipher. The top buttons control presets and audio settings. Climate controls are self explanatory just by lookng at the pictures. What is counterintuitive about the primary controls? What has you so lost? In America we seem to believe ANYTHING is true if enough people repeat it and that's ridiculous. I have sat in numerous production models and the switchgear and fit is first rate and the controls are easy to use. The only beef I have is the lack of soft touch surfaces and the odd looking gauges- although they look better in person.

"Really? In a 31K Chevy......why in the world would I buy a Rolls Royce then?"

I think he meant perfect for the class of car you genius. Now you are going to attack an actual owner? I thought you accepted comments from people who owned the cars they comment on?

Also, good point about the doors unlocking automatically when you shift into park- yet another reason you dont need to hit the lock button in the center console.

Wow. It's amazing how a comment about switchgear placement can elicit such PASSIONATE response.

As a human being I am a creature of habit and when said habit is changed/altered it requires an adjustment. I could care less about who makes a car; if the window and door lock switchgear is NOT located on the driver side door it will be COUNTER-intuitive for ME. I don't care about 95% of other people as again I'm speaking for ME. Could I adjust to the placement, yes I could and I would if I drove said vehicle long enough. However since that is not the case I will continue to stand by my earlier statement.

And for the record I'm single so most of time I'm in my car I'm alone. As I've already stated I have an STS which features a keyless system so there is no NEED for me to use the keyfob on approach of my car. I simply walk up, open the door, get in and go. Door locking/unlocking in/out of park is customizable on many cars these days so nothing is set in stone there. In my car the door will open with one pull of the handle with the doors locked so there is no need for me to puul the handle twice; something else I didn't like in my Equonix renatal because I wasn't in the HABIT of doing that.

One LAST time; the things I've mentioned here explain why I find the set up with the Camaro counter-intuitive; it goes against what I'm accustomed to. You decide for yourself if that means I'm overly critical of this car.