2006 Chevrolet Impala LTZ Test Drive

Chevy Returns To Its Car Roots

If the previous generation Impala ran with a Mercedes and held its own, think how well the re-designed and re-engineered 2006 Impala will do. The design looks like the last version (and the one before that, etc.) but now had a fitness expert go over it to make sure all the lines are tight and shape nicely sculpted. It has retained some of the well-cushioned ride, but thanks to the excellent new chassis it handles everything much better. MSRP: $27,530; Warranty: 3/36,000 mi.

First Glance

It seems Chevrolet's engineers had one target to beat when they set out to make over the Impala for 2006: Toyota's Camry. And, believe it or not, they've succeeded in building a car that's as good as the current Camry. If having the most "current" car isn't your thing, stop reading now and skip to the next section. You see, the problem with how Chevrolet makes its cars is that while the '06 Impala is as good as the current Camry, it will almost certainly not be as good as the next generation Camry. I'm having a hard time seeing how Chevy will re-assert its position of top dog if they'll always be one step behind the competition. It is reassuring, however, they can build a car as good as Toyota. That wasn't always the case.

Another issue with Chevy's design ideology is that consumers aren't willing to pay the same price for its older design when compared to the industry leader. It's the main problem with the 2006 Impala: its price when compared to the Camry.

While this Impala is the best Impala ever, it's... dull. A young female neighbor opined the Impala's "too old" for her. Which, come to think of it, may not be all that much of a problem for Chevrolet. They know who their buyer is. And it isn't trendy 20-somethings.

In the Driver's Seat

Now we're talking. While the Impala's exterior can perhaps most charitably described as mature, I was very impressed with its new interior. The dash is simple and uncluttered. The instrument panel is well laid out and the gauges easy to read. The seats are well shaped and firm – much more supportive than the last generation Impala seats. To provide the kind of ride the Impala's core buyer wants and probably needs, the new suspension has been tuned softer. This seems to have done the job. Sensitive older backsides will be well cushioned against potholes. GM knows who buys Impalas.

The rear seats are firm yet very comfortable. The cushions have been slightly elevated to give rear seat passengers better visibility and the rear doors are big and open wide for easy access. While there's ample headroom and elbowroom for both front and rear occupants, rear seat passengers get short-changed on knee room. There's a brilliantly simple folding seat back system which opens up a cavernous cargo area. Chevy's beginning to think Japanese.

On the Road

A couple of years ago, Ted Laturnus, who's one of the more knowledgeable auto journalists in Canada wrote a hilarious article featuring the last generation Impala in a supporting role. Ted and a bunch of other journalists had been invited to Mexico to review the then brand new Mercedes-Benz SL500. They were invited to wring out the high performance SL over a hundred or so miles of the Baja Highway. To ensure the burros (and banditos) didn't bother the gringos, the authorities sent a couple of Federales out ahead in an Impala.

Ted says the cops took the "out ahead" part of their assignment very seriously. Now, Ted’s a competitive guy and at one point he tried to catch and pass the cops' Impala because, he says, he was tired of eating its dust. But he wasn't able to get past even though at one point he had his Mercedes SL 500 doing over 120mph over the horrible roads.

Ted left Mexico impressed with the competitive spirit of those Mexican cops; but he left in awe of the Impala's capacity for eating up chassis-destroying roads. The 2006 Impala has improved that same DNA. The Impala's engine generates 242 hp (with 242 lb-ft of torque) and is, in terms of performance, at least the equal of the current Toyota Camry SE.

Journey's End

Contrary to what you've been reading on the internet these days, the General ain't dead yet. Well, he ain't stiff yet anyway. Some great new cars like the '2006 Impala are finally starting to come out of GM's North American plants.

During its all-consuming drive during the '90s to get every American family into one of its high margin pick up trucks or SUVs, GM ignored the very thing that had made it the king of the road: the passenger car. The Corporation's thoughtfully designed, well-engineered and nicely built passenger cars had, for decades, ensured its dominance.

For most the last decade and a half, however, the lion's share of its R&D money has been directed to light trucks. Passenger car development was virtually ignored. This began to change in 2001 but the changes haven't yet gained any real traction. A good example, however, of traction is the 2006 Impala. The interior is top-notch and its engine is excellent with good fuel economy (passing power is excellent as well as acceleration from a dead stop). While its "mature" looks might put off some younger buyers, they'll be missing out on a great family car.