Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Chevrolet SS Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate!Best Chevrolet SS Model Years (Ranked)-1.JPG)
Best Chevrolet SS Model Years (Ranked)
The Chevrolet SS was a quietly brilliant rear-wheel-drive performance sedan sold in the United States from 2014 to 2017, built in Australia as a rebadged Holden VF Commodore and powered by the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 shared with the C6 Corvette. Understated styling hid serious capability: 415 horsepower, near-50/50 weight balance, Brembo brakes, and the rare option of a six-speed manual.
Only about 12,953 units reached American buyers across the entire run, so every example is now a collector-grade enthusiast car. Because production was small and changes were incremental, picking the right year is less about avoiding defects and more about finding the best combination of transmission, equipment, and condition.
This ranking covers each model year and key variant of the Chevrolet SS.
Direct Answer
The best overall Chevrolet SS is the 2015 model year, the first to add the available six-speed Tremec manual transmission, magnetic ride control (Magnetic Ride Control), and dual-mode exhaust, transforming an already strong sedan into a true enthusiast's car at a manageable used price.
For shoppers focused on value, the best value is the 2014 model year, the launch car, which offers the same 415-hp LS3 V8 and rear-wheel-drive chassis for less money, with the only real compromises being an automatic-only transmission and fewer chassis options. Manual-equipped 2015-2017 cars command a premium and continue to appreciate, so buy the best-maintained example your budget allows and verify the LS3 was properly serviced.
1. 2015 Chevrolet SS 🏆 BEST OVERALL
.jpg%3Ft%3D171025764513&w=240&h=240&fit=cover&a=attention&output=webp)
The 2015 model year is the sweet spot. It introduced the long-awaited Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual alongside the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 making 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, plus Magnetic Ride Control and a dual-mode exhaust that sharpened both handling and character.
Brembo front brakes, a limited-slip differential, and standard luxury equipment carried over from launch.
The result is a genuinely complete car: a roomy four-door that runs 0-60 mph in the low-4-second range yet rides comfortably. A manual 2015 SS is the configuration most enthusiasts seek, and it has held value strongly. The best buys are well-documented manual cars, though the available automatic remains smooth and quick for daily use.
2. 2017 Chevrolet SS (Final Year)
The 2017 SS is the last and most desirable for collectors as the final year of production. It carried the same 415-hp LS3 V8, available six-speed manual, Magnetic Ride Control, and dual-mode exhaust, with minor trim updates and a handful of new colors. Roughly 3,000-plus were sold in this last model year.
Because GM ended the SS when Holden ceased Australian manufacturing, the 2017 cars are the bookend of the lineage and the most likely to appreciate. Low-mileage manual 2017 examples now sell for strong money. Buy one if originality and collector upside matter most to you; mechanically it is nearly identical to the 2015-2016 cars.
3. 2016 Chevrolet SS
.jpg%3Ft%3D171933789181&w=240&h=240&fit=cover&a=attention&output=webp)
The 2016 SS is essentially a continuation of the refined 2015 car, with the 6.2L LS3 V8, available six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, Magnetic Ride Control, and dual-mode exhaust all standard or available. It added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration through GM's MyLink infotainment system, a useful modernization.
This is one of the most balanced years to own: all the chassis and powertrain hardware of the final cars, plus updated tech, often at a slightly lower price than the closing-year 2017. A clean manual 2016 in a desirable color is one of the smartest enthusiast buys in the range. Verify service history on the LS3 and the magnetic dampers.
4. 2014 Chevrolet SS 💎 BEST VALUE
The 2014 launch model is the value pick. It delivers the same 415-hp 6.2-liter LS3 V8, rear-wheel drive, near-50/50 weight distribution, Brembo front brakes, and a fully loaded interior. The catch is that 2014 was automatic-only, with the six-speed automatic the sole transmission, and it lacked the Magnetic Ride Control and dual-mode exhaust added in 2015.
Even so, it remains a quick, comfortable, deeply underrated sport sedan. The best value is a well-kept 2014 SS, which typically costs noticeably less than the manual-equipped later cars while offering the same engine and rear-drive thrills. For buyers who do not need a clutch pedal, it is the bargain of the lineup.
5. 2015-2017 Chevrolet SS Manual (Tremec TR6060)
The manual-transmission SS earns its own ranking because it defines the car's enthusiast appeal. Offered from 2015 through 2017, the Tremec TR6060 six-speed transformed the driving experience, adding engagement that the capable automatic could not match. It pairs with the 415-hp LS3 and an active fuel management system that the manual could partly bypass.
Manual cars are a minority of the already-small production, so they are the most sought-after and most appreciating configuration. Expect to pay a premium over automatics of the same year. Inspect the clutch and confirm no aggressive track abuse, but a healthy manual SS is the version dedicated drivers should target first.
6. 2014-2017 Chevrolet SS Automatic (6L80)
The automatic SS uses GM's 6L80 six-speed automatic and was offered every model year, making it the most common version on the used market. It is smooth, durable, and delivers nearly identical straight-line performance to the manual thanks to the abundant low-end torque of the 6.2L LS3.
For buyers who want a comfortable rear-drive cruiser with V8 muscle and do not prioritize shifting themselves, the automatic is the value-rich choice and far easier to find. It also makes the SS a more practical daily driver in traffic. The 6L80 is a proven, robust unit; standard fluid changes keep it reliable for the long haul.
7. 2015 Chevrolet SS with Magnetic Ride Control
The addition of Magnetic Ride Control in 2015 is significant enough to call out as its own pick. The magnetorheological dampers, shared in concept with the Corvette and Cadillac performance models, let the SS deliver a genuinely plush ride while still tightening up for hard cornering, widening the gap between comfort and capability.
A 2015-2017 SS with functioning MagneRide rides better and handles sharper than the 2014 car. Confirm the dampers are healthy, as magnetic units are costly to replace if they leak or fail. When working correctly, this is one of the features that elevates the SS above ordinary full-size sedans and justifies seeking the later cars.
8. 2014 Chevrolet SS (Pre-Facelift Styling)
The 2014 car also represents the original pre-refresh design, based on the early Holden VF Commodore front-end styling. Some buyers prefer this cleaner, more understated look to the lightly revised front fascia and lighting of the 2015-onward cars. Mechanically it is the simplest SS: LS3 V8, automatic, standard adaptive equipment minimal.
As the inaugural year, the 2014 has a small but loyal following among purists who like the launch specification. It is the most affordable entry point into SS ownership. Treat it as the budget gateway to the rear-drive V8 experience, accepting that you trade away the manual and the magnetic dampers added the following year.
9. 2015-2017 Chevrolet SS in Rare Colors
Because the SS was produced in tiny numbers, color rarity strongly affects collector value. Hues like Slipstream Blue Metallic, Some Like It Hot Red, Perfect Blue, and Jungle Green were offered in limited quantities across the 2015-2017 years, and the rarest combinations of a desirable color with a manual transmission now command notable premiums.
For a buyer thinking about long-term value, a low-production color paired with the six-speed manual is the configuration most likely to appreciate. These cars are effectively instant collectibles. Verify paint originality and check that the example has not been resprayed, since matching factory color and code matters to future buyers and to resale.
10. 2014 Chevrolet SS as a Daily Driver
Ranked last only because it is the least collectible, the 2014 automatic SS used as a daily driver is still a deeply satisfying everyday car. It blends a 415-hp V8, a quiet and comfortable cabin, full luxury equipment, and a usable trunk and back seat, making it a practical alternative to a German sport sedan at a fraction of the cost.
Higher-mileage 2014 cars are the cheapest way into the lineage, and the LS3 and 6L80 are both durable when maintained. If you want V8 character and rear-drive balance for daily use rather than weekend collecting, this is a sensible, value-driven choice. Expect modest fuel economy and budget for tires and brakes.
What to Watch For When Buying
- Verify the LS3 V8 service history: confirm regular oil changes and listen for lifter or valvetrain noise; the 6.2L is robust but neglected examples exist.
- Check Magnetic Ride Control on 2015-2017 cars: leaking or failed magnetorheological dampers are expensive, so confirm a smooth ride and no warning lights.
- Inspect the clutch on manual cars: a slipping or chattering Tremec clutch points to hard use or impending replacement cost.
- Look for track abuse: tired brakes, worn tires, and modified tunes can signal aggressive driving; original, lightly used cars are worth more.
- Confirm the transmission: manuals carry a premium, so make sure the listing matches the actual car and the VIN.
- Check for accident or rust history: as Australian-built imports, parts can take longer to source, so prioritize clean, unmolested examples.
- Match the color and paint code: rare factory colors add value, and resprays reduce collector appeal.
How to Choose
Match the SS to your goals. For the best all-around enthusiast car, the 2015 with the six-speed manual, Magnetic Ride Control, and dual-mode exhaust is the answer. For maximum collector upside, target a 2017 final-year car or any rare-color manual, both of which are appreciating.
For the best value, a well-kept 2014 automatic delivers the same 415-hp LS3 and rear-drive chassis for the least money. Daily-driver buyers who prioritize comfort and ease can choose the automatic in any year, while purists who want maximum engagement should hold out for a documented manual.
In every case, favor a low-mileage, unmodified example with complete service records over a cheaper but neglected car.
FAQ
Which Chevrolet SS year is the best? The 2015 model year is widely considered the best overall because it was the first to offer the six-speed manual, Magnetic Ride Control, and dual-mode exhaust alongside the 415-hp LS3 V8, combining performance, comfort, and value.
Is the Chevrolet SS rare? Yes. Only about 12,953 examples were sold in the United States across the entire 2014-2017 run, and manual-transmission and rare-color cars are rarer still, which is why clean examples are appreciating as collector cars.
What engine does the Chevrolet SS have? Every Chevrolet SS uses the 6.2-liter LS3 V8, the same engine family found in the C6 Corvette, producing 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
Are there any years of the Chevrolet SS to avoid? There are no bad years mechanically, since all share the durable LS3 and proven transmissions. The 2014 simply lacks the manual and Magnetic Ride Control, so enthusiasts may prefer the 2015-2017 cars, but even the 2014 is a sound buy.
Bottom Line
The Chevrolet SS is a small-production, rear-drive V8 sedan that has become a modern collectible. The 2015 model year is the best overall, adding the six-speed manual, Magnetic Ride Control, and dual-mode exhaust to the 415-hp LS3 platform. The 2014 offers the best value with the same engine for less money.
Final-year 2017 cars and rare-color manuals carry the most collector upside. Whichever you choose, prioritize a documented, unmodified, low-mileage example, and the SS rewards you with V8 performance and everyday comfort few rivals match at the price.
Sources
- Chevrolet SS official model overview and specifications, chevrolet.com
- Wikipedia Chevrolet SS production figures, generations, and technical specifications, en.wikipedia.org
- Edmunds Chevrolet SS reviews and used-car appraisals by model year, edmunds.com
- Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet SS used values, kbb.com
- Car and Driver Chevrolet SS road tests and performance data, caranddriver.com
- NHTSA recall and safety records for the Chevrolet SS, nhtsa.gov