Chevrolet Impala Review

2009 Chevrolet Impala LT Sedan Shown

When Chevrolet sent the first Impala off the assembly line in 1958, it was meant to be "a prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen." It would seem that the company was successful; five decades on, the Chevrolet Impala has gone on to become one of America's most well-known nameplates.

Since the new millennium, the modern Impala has served as Chevrolet's main full-size sedan, capable of transporting up to six people. With front-wheel drive and V6 power on most trim levels, the current Impala isn't exactly a tribute to the past, but it does continue the tradition of large, affordable Chevrolet family sedans.

The move to smaller, more efficient engines gives buyers enough power when they need it while still providing respectable mileage -- never one of the Impala's strong points in the past. And for buyers who truly desire a V8, the latest Impala SS does indeed have one under its hood.

Current Chevrolet Impala

The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size family sedan that comes in five trim levels: the entry-level LS, the midgrade choices of LT and 2LT, the loaded LTZ and the performance-oriented SS. Antilock brakes, traction control, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all Impala trims. Stability control comes on all but the two lower trims. With its front bench seat, the Impala can accommodate six passengers in a pinch.

Under the hood, the Impala LS and LT come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 211 horsepower. Standard on the 2LT and LTZ is a 3.9-liter V6 good for 233 hp. The Impala SS has a 5.3-liter V8 making an impressive 303 hp and 323 pound-feet of torque. All Impalas come with a four-speed automatic transmission.

In reviews, we've found the Impala offers a smooth and quiet ride and a lot of features for the price. However, newer rivals offer various advantages such as more luxury (Hyundai Azera, Toyota Avalon), more passenger and cargo space (Ford Taurus) and a more nimble, athletic personality (Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger and Pontiac G8). These competitors all boast nicer, higher-quality cabins as well.

Used Chevrolet Impala Models

The latest-generation Chevrolet Impala has been available since the 2006 model year. Improvements on this model compared to the previous-generation Impala include new engines, more composed handling, a higher-quality interior and updated styling. Since that '06 debut, changes have been minimal, though '08 and newer Impalas have additional safety features as standard equipment.

Shoppers looking for a less expensive Impala will most likely want to check out the previous-generation model, which was offered from 2000-'05 with minimal changes. Its basic dimensions are very similar to those of the current generation, but it lacks that model's significant updates. For this generation, there were two main trim levels -- base and LS. In 2004, Chevy added the SS trim.

Base-model Chevy Impalas were powered by a 3.4-liter V6 engine that produced 180 hp. Stepping up to LS trim got you a 200-hp, 3.8-liter V6. The SS had a supercharged version of the 3.8-liter V6 making 240 hp. Though popular in terms of sales, this Impala did not fare well in reviews conducted by Edmunds.com editors. Noted downsides included bland interior and exterior design, vague steering and a soggy suspension on base and LS models.

Previous to this, there was a short-lived Chevrolet Impala SS. Offered from 1994-'96, it was based on the rear-drive Caprice. The SS featured a 260-hp, 5.7-liter V8 derived from the Corvette, large 17-inch wheels and tires, a sport tuned suspension, a monochromatic exterior (black only in its first year) and many hardware upgrades normally fitted to law enforcement vehicles. Today, the ‘90s Impala SS's have taken on a "collectible" quality.

There are also plenty of Impalas left from earlier decades. Those early Impalas were often America's most popular car, and they still hold significance today. Throughout the 1960s, the Chevy Impala dominated the sales charts, culminating in 1965 when more than 1 million were sold. Though the popularity of smaller, midsize muscle cars slowly ate away at sales of the Impala, it continued to sell in big numbers, registering as the best-selling car in America in 1973. The Impala nameplate languished in the early 1980s, eventually getting dropped in 1986 in favor of the Caprice designation.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.