Rear seating?

[The_Bishop]

Anyone have any shots of the rear seating, preferably with actual people in them? Just trying to get an idea of the 'roominess' (or lack thereof) back there.

[JasonD]

Better than a 4th gen, not much of a confining "center hump". I was back there with another disciple and there was decent room for two adults. It isn't anything like a sedan but IMO, acceptable for a coupe like this.

[Brangeta]

Originally Posted by JasonD

Better than a 4th gen

With all due respect Jason, I have to heavily disagree with you. I grew up riding in the backseat of (what is now) my sister's '95 Z28, and I sat in the backseat of a new Camaro yesterday, and it was so much worse.

Let me begin my story...

I grew up riding in the backseat of what is now my sister's '95 Z28, and I've always loved it back there. When I was 5'2" and a little skinny preteen, I could get out of the backseat without even leaning the front passenger seat forward. Heck, I could do this all the way up to 9th grade when I was 5'11" and 140 lbs, only my shoulders and head would have issues with exiting without leaning the seat. The seat could be nearly all the way back without me feeling claustrophobic or inconvenienced.

When I grew up to be 6' and 170 lbs. as I am now, my comfort did not get sacrificed, only my exit method. My mom in fact purchased her '02 35th Anniversary SS because we were all so comfortable and pleased with the '95. If a person slouches in their seat and spreads their legs around the seat, they are as comfortable as can be in a 4th gen. The person's outer knee leans comfortably on the door with plenty of wiggle room.

Regarding the headroom, I have about 5 to 8 inches of headroom when in the back, and I'm 6' as stated earlier. No claustrophobic issues, no hitting a speedbump and banging my head on the roof or hatch glass issues.

This headroom is something you won't have in the back of a ~'98 Mustang or ~'06 G35 coupe. Specific to the Mustang, the Camaro had a huge competitive advantage that was rarely, if ever, publicized from 1993 to 2002. The Mustang and G35 I have ridden in the back of have had such little headroom for me, that my head touches the rear glass and/or roof.

Well guess what? The new Camaro is not much better, and is completely awful in the leg area.

Yesterday, I went to the Dallas Auto Show, excited to see the 4 Camaros. They had the beautiful LS7 concept, a boring SS (is anybody else sick of seeing that silver color already?) that was inexplicably roped off, an RS in that red tint-coat color (yuck) that was inexplicably roped off as well, and a V6 for sitting in. The V6 lacked any options.

I sat in the front passenger side first, and the interior materials and colors shocked me. Rhinoliner dark gray, with the most over emphasized goosebump texture I have ever seen. This was complimented by a very flexible light gray plastic on the doors with the same atrocious texture. The car appeared fake. I wondered if I was in a studio prop for a theme park, Transformers, etc. like maybe the switches and such were fake. I got out of the car, and since only the driver's seat had a line waiting, I immediately tried to get in the backseat. I slid the front seat forward some with the very goofy plastic handle that does such. Unless I am incorrectly remembering it, it reminded me of the handle that would be on a toy with a rip cord, or a parachute, or something; I didn't pay a lot of attention to it honestly, but remember thinking it odd. I then used the ridiculous electronic recliner switch to slowly lean the seat forward so I could get in. I sat in the backseat, had about 1 or 2 inches of headroom, and was relatively comfortable despite my hair pressing and rubbing on the roof. I was somewhat satisfied that at least my head wasn't touching the roof. And then I pulled the handle on the back, believing it would recline the seat back towards me. Stupid thought, it wasn't for that, it was likely to fold the front seat flat forward. So I reached as best I could for the electric switch, which is WAYYYY too far forward for anyone but the front seat passenger to operate, and managed to get the seat reclined to the point where I could no longer reach it. My mom was with me, as she's my car show buddy, and she scooted the seat a bit further forward, and continued the electric switch usage to recline the seat to its normal angle.

She just about had it normal, and I'm increasingly losing space. My right knee got pinned between the seat and the interior very tightly, and she got in the car. The moment she sat down, I went from just being pinned to being alarmed at my leg getting squished. Her knees were touching, or nearly touching the dash she told me, and she started to close the door. I yelled "WHOA!" because my knee was pinned with nowhere to move my leg, and I was hanging out. She got out of the car, and asked me to try to get out. I couldn't. Because of the switch being so far forward, I had no available method for getting the seat away from me to my knowledge. Heck, this doesn't even consider the fact that I literally couldn't move to attempt an escape, as my knee was pinned between a rock and a hard place... it wasn't pleasant. My blood pressure was up from feeling trapped and I was annoyed. I was stuck. I was at the mercy of the front seat passenger.

Just imagine your teenage daughter/son and their friends. Teenagers are jerks to each other. They recline their seats to bother the backseat passenger, they push their knees into the back of the seat to bother the front seat passenger, etc. Someone will get hurt by this electric reclining mechanism in the next few years; I can already tell it'll happen. It's a stupid design idea. Really stupid.

My mom pulls the switch, and slowly the seat gets off of me. I'm relieved. For what it's worth, it was easy to exit the car.

To finish my story, which is no longer on topic from this point on (except the pictures posted below), I stood in line to check out the driver's seat. I sat down, closed the door, and the ergonomics were nice. The gauges, dash, door panel--pretty much everything in front of me, was very unpleasant to look at and touch, however well placed. I have trouble describing the material in words as none of our cars have the same feel to them... but perhaps the feeling of rubber would be most accurate. Everything is rubbery. Somewhat sticky to the touch, highly textured, and dismally gray rather than black. The armrest on the door has good ergonomics and is comfortable. The door comes up very high, and I didn't explorer the possibilities, but I question whether or not shorter drivers would be able to go through bank and fast food drive-thrus in this car. The top of the door was above my shoulder. To compensate for this, it seems as though GM engineers incorporated a method of pumping the seat up higher vertically, but I didn't experiment with this myself.

I played with all of the switches (this interior seems so barren and empty) and the radio seemed alright, though I believe the dials have that same sticky feel to them. The hazard lights flashed, the brights would turn on, and the doors would lock and unlock fairly simply. The sliders for the 2 center vents seemed... well... not to my liking, because I prefer to be able to aim and close the vents by grabbing the vents themselves.

The steering wheel was the same Rhinoliner material, as was the shifter. I can't really judge the gauges, as I hardly had time to look at them.

The feeling inside the cockpit was very dark, and thanks to the rubber, very damp. It's very cave-like. The small windows don't allow a great deal of light into the car.

[Brangeta]

To summarize:

Negative:
Hugely disappointed with the interior material used, the color used, and how USELESS the rear seats seem to be. The Camaro is NOT supposed to be a 2 + 2 bags of groceries. It's supposed to be a 4-seater coupe like previous generations have been.

Positive:
Exterior looks good, driver's seating position is good, panel gaps are great in the interior cabin, and ergonomics seem good for the front seat without considering the high door height. But are these enough to offset the horrible appearance of the interior? Frankly, I am embarrassed for at least the base model. So much so, that I told my friend who's going to the show today that he doesn't need to make fun of me with Camaro jokes after he sits in it today. I admit it looks and feels cheap.

I'm sorry to go so off topic... but my disappointment and annoyance with how the production car ended up displeased me greatly and I got on a roll after disagreeing with Jason.

Here are some pictures, yes, even unflattering ones of me:

My view from sitting in the passenger seat.


A picture I took of myself sitting in the backseat. I'm annoyed my hair is rubbing the roof.


Best picture I could get of how much leg room I had with the seat nearly reclined to the proper position. I can't attest for how far forward the seat was slid forward, as I just don't know in this image. All I know is I was uncomfortable and the 4th gen's are vastly superior.


How a 6' disappointed person looks in the car.


Pretending I was ecstatic about the car once I had gotten in.


Radio, HVAC, etc.


Dash. Take note of the 'paddle shifters' I haven't mentioned thus far. Read below for the reason why.


Now, some of you here probably know me, and some of you don't. I've been around here a pretty long time, but haven't been on the forums or reading about the Camaro much in the past year. Those who know me know I'm a huge 4th gen Camaro enthusiast, that I've met Scott several times, and heck, I've even gotten to sit in the convertible concept thanks to Scott which was an EXTREME pleasure! I wish I could give a positive kissing butt review, but I can't. I simply can't. This car I was allowed to play with yesterday was not up to my expectations, and disappointed me greatly. I have never been this disappointed with an interior... and I thought the first-year Pontiac Solstice I sat in was bad! I hope GM sees this and considers a few things:

1) Please darken the gray dash material to the extent that it matches the black on the radio. It's so ugly, and makes no sense to be that color.

2) Please offer REAL paddles on the steering wheel instead of cheap non-functional tabs with + and - on them. For those that don't know, the buttons for performing the shifting functions are about an inch or two below these plastic tabs, and are simply buttons on the back of the steering wheel.

3) Please don't texture the lighter gray material with the same pattern as the darker stuff. For that matter, please cut down on the texture completely. The car has goosebumps all over the interior like a cold ostrich.

4) And most importantly, please install some method for the rear passenger to escape the backseat. If there already is one... I didn't see it. It'll help prevent some sort of accidental injury for one of your buyers.

Oh, and as a bonus, since I'm already so off topic, here are pics of the official colors, which I know have been posted before... but those weren't taken by me like these pics were.

[The_Bishop]

Jason: Thanks.

Brangeta: Well, that doesn't sound encouraging.

Guess I'll have to wait and see one in person. Thanks for the info.

[JasonD]

I have no problem being disagreed with, this is something that sometimes comes down to each person. I know that for me and my experiences, getting into the back of a 2010 is easier than when I tried getting in the back of any 4th gen.


Click here to see Video

That started out with the front seat in a position where I would leave it and I was wearing a pretty puffy winter coat (made from fire hose material, no less). I also didn't rehearse that, we started recording and I ad-libbed it. To settle in, you need to slouch and spread your knees around the seat, just like a 4th gen. That's just me personally, though. I am not saying it is roomy like a Cadillac, but I didn't feel like I was stepping into a swimming pool and then sitting in a bucket like a 4th gen.

I suppose my perspective isn't as seasoned as others, I rarely ever get in the back seat of my Camaros, I am usually behind the wheel.

[97z28/m6]

Originally Posted by The_Bishop

Brangeta: Well, that doesn't sound encouraging.

Guess I'll have to wait and see one in person. Thanks for the info.

his description of the materials is spot on. i never sat in the back so i can't comment on that.

[JakeRobb]

Originally Posted by Brangeta

<huge post>

Originally Posted by Brangeta

To summarize:
<another huge post>

Thanks for your take on the situation.

[Brangeta]

Jason-- I watched your video, and apparently the latch on the back of the seat IS for leaning the seats forward. I didn't expect that. I did try pulling the latch while I was sitting in the back, and I guess I didn't get it engaged, because I couldn't get the seat to move. I have a similar latch on my Grand Prix, but I've only used it once. My review has a problem with ignorance because of that, but I would suspect my discomfort with leg room was still a bit of an issue, since I'm fairly long legged.

From checking pictures of the upgraded interiors in the Camaros they didn't let us sit in, it seems as though leather covers most of the goosebumpy rhinoliner areas your hands come in contact with, so that's good.

[The_Bishop]

Jason, thanks for the video!

[sui_winbolo]

The 2LT and the 2SS with the upgraded interior looks better with the leather wrapped knob and steering wheel and the 4 acc. gauges.

Judging from those pictures the plastic doesn't look that bad to me. Even if it is "bumpy".

My mom's '06 Malibu LT (which I'm driving during winter because I don't have snow tires for my car) has almost looks like recycled plastic look. It looks cheaper, but it doesn't bother me at all.

I'm just stoked about getting a new vehicle from my '83 GP.

I guess that's why I don't care as much...considering I'll have fancy AC, decent stereo, heated seats, cruise control, the plastic is the least of my concerns. lol

I think it comes down to personal opinion. You either like it, or you don't.

[SunsetHawkSelena]

you can't please everyone all the time. there's bound to be some people disappointed and some people ecstatic. it's just the way it is. with that said, i can't get my Camaro fast enough. i'm in LOVE with the damn car!

[TTopJohn]

I sat in the same base LS at the Dallas Auto Show, and agree with some of what was said about it above, but overall, I came to a different conclusion - I dig it and think even the base cloth no option car is pretty sweet.

1st the back seat - yeah, I like my 4th gen back seat better. I'm 5 10" and I fit in the 4th gen no problem, knees do have to be on either side of the front seatback but headroom is nice. On the 2010, the leg/knee room is comparable to the 4th gen. The front seats are more substantial, so it seems like there is less knee room, but I think it's about the same. The 2010 doesn't have as much headroom in the rear - my head hits in the 2010 where it doesn't in a 4th gen. Now, the reason for this is that the 4th gen puts your butt way down low when you sit in the back. The 2010 gives you a higher h-point back there, which is usually more comfortable. So if your torso is short enough to not hit the roof, you will be more comfortable in the back of a 2010 than you were in the back of the 4th gen, due to the higher h-point.

I had no problem getting in and out of the back seat.

The rest of the interior - front seats feel great! Closer to my BMW and Cadillac SRX seats, i.e. a lot more substantial feel to them v. 4th gen seats.

I love the look of the dash, console and door panels. I need a leather steering wheel & shift knob, which this base car lacked, but I'm more of a check all the options kind of Camaro buyer anyway, so no biggie. I have no issue with the materials used other than wanting the extra leather, which as I understand is on the higher level cars. I do want to see what kind of interior trim kits are offered as accessories - some kind of insert for the middle section of door panel and dash would be nice.

Seating position and sightlines seemed fine to me - but then again, I seem to have no problem with cars that others say they can't see out of (Mercedes CLS, and 4th Gen F-body)- maybe I just rely on my mirrors more than others, or I have more torso height so I can see over a tall dash.

All in all, the base LS isn't what I'll be buying, but it's pretty nice and definitely nicer than the last V6 Stang rental car I was in.

[Three]

I would have to say that the Camaro has sufficient rear seat leg room. For those of you sitting in the Camaro at an auto show, know that the seats are usually set so the front seat feels roomy.

We have had occasion to have 4 in our car for dinner and giving rides to enthusiasts and if I put my seat a bit forward from my normal position, that leaves a reasonable amount of room in the rear seat.

The Camaro is a 2 + 2. If you really need 4 comfortable passenger seating locations on a regular basis, the Camaro wasn't intended to fit that mission.

As for the sidetrack on the interior, valid opinion but IMO exagerated. I'm not much of a fan of the base car steering wheel and shift knob. But very much the same as any non-leather GM car. Pay the extra bucks for the connectivity package which includes the leather wheel and shift knob. Makes the initerior much richer. IMO this is a must option for any Camaro.

[TTopJohn]

Originally Posted by Three

As for the sidetrack on the interior, valid opinion but IMO exagerated. I'm not much of a fan of the base car steering wheel and shift knob. But very much the same as any non-leather GM car. Pay the extra bucks for the connectivity package which includes the leather wheel and shift knob.

Well said, I'd like to add that it is the same as many non leather or lower trim model cars from other manufactuers as well - Honda, Toyota, etc... Given that, there's even less reason to nit pick GM for the lack of a leather wheel in the base car.

Nice to know that the leather wheel adn shift knob come with the connectivity package! That's a pretty cheap option considering everything it includes.

Is this Mr. Number 3 from Camaro5? If so I really enjoy reading your posts on your two CTF Camaros!