Once upon a time, there was a muscle car called the Camaro. Guess what? It’s back. Yes, the muscle car is back – and Chevy’s got it.

Today’s muscle cars face some challenges. There’s the stereotypical basic muscle car that looks fast, but doesn’t deliver the speed and power – think the Dodge Challenger. Then, there’s the stereotypical V8 version that’s fast, fast, fast, but has no handling finesse – think the Ford Mustang. The Chevy Camaro blows them both out of the water.

The Camaro is built on GM’s basic Zeta platform, which has been reworked and shortened to feature an independent rear suspension and sophisticated handling. The V6 can hit 60 mph in 6 seconds, yet its 300 horses cost no more than its competitors. It also offers impressive fuel economy for a V6. In fact, this is the same 3.6 liter engine that you’ll find on the luxury Cadillac CTS sedan, only on that model, you’ll pay a lot more for the privilege.

In addition, you can step up to the V8 engine and hit 60 mph in only 5 seconds. Of course, it used to be that you had to shell out the money for a BMW to get that kind of performance – no longer the case with the 2010 Camaro. Opt for the manual SS version and you’re essentially getting the base model Corvette engine. If you opt for the automatic, you still get a robust V8, but it’s a little less powerful.

But lest you think the Camaro is perfect, it does have some flaws. The retro exterior doesn’t offer good visibility, which can make parking a bit difficult, and the trunk is laughably small. There’s no navigation system, and the interior is kind of blah. But will that matter to you? Probably not – you don’t buy a muscle car for its cargo space or how the car looks as much as how the car performs and how good you look in it. And on both of these counts, the Camaro scores.

The Camaro also offers several standard safety features – front seat side airbags, full length side curtain airbags, stability control, and antilock disc brakes. Basic Onstar is standard, while the upper three trim packages have turn by turn navigational features in the gauge cluster.

There are five trim packages available on the Camaro – the LS package, two LT packages, and 2 SS packages. V6 engines are standard in the LS and LTs, with V8s featured in the two SS trims. In the LS model, you’ll find front bucket seats, cloth upholstery, cruise control, keyless entry, a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, air conditioning, an CD/MP3 sounds system, and 18 inch black Heritage steel wheels.

Those wheels step up to alloy and 18 inch with the 1LT and 19 inches on the 2LT. The 2LT also gives you heated side mirrors, Bluetooth, and leather upholstery. The trim package 1SS isn’t as luxurious, but it’s more powerful – you get 20 inch aluminum wheels and upgraded interior styling with Brembo brakes. For all of the 2LTs standard equipment, the 1SS’s sportier style and the power of the V8, choose the 2SS package.

With its combination of power and control, the Chevy Camaro is the obvious choice for muscle car enthusiasts. But the best part of all – the base model is a steal at just over $22,000.